With new beverage flavors fighting for consumers’ attention and juice prices higher than usual due to inclement weather, U.S. orange juice sales have declined during the last several years, says Sarah Theodore, global drinks analyst for Mintel Food & Drink, Chicago. More specifically, orange juice sales were down about 9 percent in food, drug and mass retail, excluding Walmart, between 2008 and 2010, she says.
The American Heart Association recommends consuming omega-3 fatty acids to benefit the hearts of healthy people as well as those at risk or who have cardiovascular disease. Although the association recommends eating two servings of fish a week for fatty acids, ingredient companies offer a lineup of products that help beverage-makers continue to offer another avenue for consuming polyunsaturated fats.
Throughout the world, coffee is consumed for its caffeinated benefits, for its social connotations and because it offers rich and delicious flavors. While the reasons for drinking coffee have remained the same through the years, coffee itself has experienced quite an evolution. Today, consumers enjoy their blends bottled, canned, decaffeinated, instant or even in their favorite dessert.
Coconut waters have become a hot new category for the beverage industry, and coconut ingredients from water, milk, cream and flavoring are flourishing in new beverages on the market.
Through the end of October, more than 300 new teas have launched in 2010, according to Mintel International’s Global New Products Database. Bagged teas led with the most new product introductions so far this year with 148 launches, and new ready-to-drink teas followed with 114 releases.