The numbers don’t lie — botanical ingredients are gaining favor in the food and beverage market. Interest in botanicals is on the rise for various reasons, which has only been boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic, experts note.

As consumers have taken a greater interest in their immune system, beverage manufacturers are turning to staple ingredients like citrus to deliver the healthy halo that consumers desire.

The utilization of functional ingredients is prompting beverage-makers to source masking solutions so that the next generation of beverages deliver on function and taste.

Most recently, demand for plant-based, clean-label and reduced-sugar functional beverages has been high, according to experts. Hydrocolloids help address all of these needs.

Nostalgia has kept vanilla among the top flavors used in food and beverages, but its association with natural and clean-label trends is giving it an edge.

Vegan consumers might have gotten the plant-based diet movement started, but demand has perpetuated thanks primarily to growing consumer interest in health and sustainability, experts say.

As coffee consumption shifts to a predominately at-home trend, beverage-makers are seeking out specialty coffee ingredients to deliver comfort and novelty to consumers.

As the functional and flavorful capabilities of domestic and exotic fruits continue to be experimented with, a healthy mix of traditional and emerging combinations are on the horizon for beverages, experts note.

Historically an upcycled byproduct within the coffee production process, coffee fruit’s sustainable characteristics and health benefits could present opportunities in beverage development.

The functional properties of antioxidants and superfoods are gaining traction lately as consumer interest in health and wellness grows as the result of the pandemic.