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Superfruits expand beyond exotic varieties

Nutrient levels highlight more fruits under superfruit umbrella
jessica Jacobsen
Jessica Jacobsen
Better-for-you beverages continue to appeal to consumers, and beverage companies continue to find ways to address that trend. According to Chicago-based Mintel Group Ltd.’s “Juice and Juice Drinks” report, 5 percent of launches from January to June 2011 contained antioxidants, which represents a 1 percent increase from the previous period. The report adds that many launches sourced their antioxidant content from superfruits such as acai berries, blueberries, cranberries and pomegranates.
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Reading between the leaves

Tea shows off its colors, benefits and many functions
Stephanie Cernivec
Hot or cold, bottled or bagged, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world next to water, according to the Tea Association of the U.S.A. Inc., New York City.
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Searching for the next superfruit star

Will cherry be the next fruit to rise to the top?
Jennifer Zegler
In recent years, consumers have embraced superfruits, such as pomegranate, acai, blueberry and cranberry, for their antioxidant content. However, certain cherry varietals also rank alongside the more renowned superfruits in terms of antioxidant content. Although the fruit has long been favored as a pie filling and ice cream sundae topper, cherry is still establishing itself as a beverage ingredient, but suppliers say that’s ripe for a change.
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Fiber gains from a fuller understanding

Consumer awareness, ingredient options for fiber expand
Jennifer Zegler
As consumers continue to look for functional food and beverages to supplement what’s missing from their diets, manufacturers continue to offer fortified options. When it comes to fiber, consumers can now find fiber-fortified snack bars, brownies and juice drinks.
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Good inside and out

Aloe gains momentum as a naturally beneficial ingredient
Jennifer Zegler
Long known as a skin soother, aloe has a reputation in the United States for its inherent external benefits. Riding the health and wellness trend, aloe suppliers and beverage-makers are working to expand consumers’ knowledge about the benefits of consuming aloe.
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Competing for the limelight

Citrus flavors evolve to entice consumers
Stephanie Cernivec
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.
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Omega-3 carving its niche

Fatty acids’ future lies in nutritional beverages
jessica Jacobsen
Jessica Jacobsen

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.


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Demand for flavors, customization brew in coffee

Market for coffee and coffee flavors remains strong
Lori Sichtermann

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.


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Coconut Shows its Versatility

Coconut water, milk, cream and flavoring emerges as trendy beverage ingredient.
Elizabeth Fuhrman
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.
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