Stephanie Cernivec

Ingredient Spotlight

Functional, health trends call for masking agents

Masking ingredients and bitter blockers address off-notes

June 23, 2022

Current trends for health-and-wellness, plant-based, reduced-sugar and functional beverages, for example, easily can affect the taste, mouthfeel and overall beverage experience. Thus, beverage formulators engage masking ingredients to fight off any unwanted effects.

The future of DTC brands

Direct-to-consumer brands gain traction by catering to individuals

Stephanie Cernivec

May 24, 2022

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With the pandemic, as the eCommerce market hit its stride and many consumers turned to direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, experts note that the beverage industry stands to benefit from DTC’s continuous growth.

Ingredient Spotlight

Hydrocolloids provide stability amid evolving beverage trends

Label-friendly, functional hydrocolloids in demand for beverage-makers

Stephanie Cernivec

May 19, 2022

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With plant-based ingredients in high demand, formulators oftentimes are turning to hydrocolloid solutions to deliver the stabilization these beverages need.

Milk sales stabilize as oat milk soars

Innovation stems from non-dairy-based milk substitutes

Stephanie Cernivec

October 25, 2021

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Dairy-alternative beverages have become mainstream, signifying a new era for the dairy category. Although market share is on the rise, traditional dairy milk still commands the lion’s share.

Category Focus: Bottled Water

Health appeal drives bottled water sales

Sparkling water leads category growth

Stephanie Cernivec

September 22, 2021

13 Comments

As the pandemic put an extra halo on bottled water, the category has continued to show growth across many segments, particularly sparkling as more consumers switch to the format in the name of health and wellness.

Ingredient Spotlight

Plant-based extracts fill the need for health, functionality amid pandemic

Stress management fueling increased demand for adaptogens

Stephanie Cernivec

August 17, 2021

One Comment

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.

Ingredient Spotlight

Hydrocolloids help beverage-makers fulfill consumer demands

Functionality, clean label among trends impacting hydrocolloids market

Stephanie Cernivec

May 24, 2021

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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.

Up Close With

Tea Horse Road brings tea back into the spotlight

Seven Teas iced teas and lemonades to launch in cans nationwide

Stephanie Cernivec

April 23, 2021

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Brothers Josh and Jeremy Issak set out on a mission to give tea the front seat and bring affordable, organic, real-brewed tea to the people. In 2019, the brothers launched their flagship line of organic specialty teas: Seven Teas.

Category Focus

Functional, plant-based ingredients boost sports, protein drinks’ growth

Performance beverages broaden functionality with new releases

Stephanie Cernivec

April 22, 2021

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Although the pandemic presented a challenge for many beverage categories, it seems to have offered an opportunity for the sports and performance drinks segment.

Swirled blends dairy and plant-based ingredients

Up Close With

Shamrock Farms innovates ahead of 100-year anniversary

Dairy company puts a twist on new products

Stephanie Cernivec

March 19, 2021

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Founded in 1922, Shamrock Dairy, now Shamrock Farms, is innovating its portfolio of dairy products to deliver high-quality beverages for consumers’ evolving needs.