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.

With consumers paying more attention to their overall health by curtailing sugar, consumers’ positive perceptions of natural, non-GMO plant-based sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit have contributed to $5 billion in sweetener category growth.

In new beverage development, the trend of manufacturing with clean-label ingredients has sparked the creation of a new generation of color concepts.

“Real” ingredients from nature are helping beverage-makers deliver clean-label solutions.

Whether its dairy milks, ready-to-drink (RTD) hot and iced coffees, meal replacement drinks or protein powders, vanilla is one of the most universally accepted flavor profiles around the world. In fact, vanilla is so well-known that its very name means “common.”

Consumers across every age demographic are noticing the increasing importance of brain health.

Domestic and exotic fruits finding favor in the beverage market include lemon, lime, peach and strawberry, while up-and-coming exotic flavors include blood orange, passionfruit and guava.

NUTRAVA Citrus Fiber is a clean-label ingredient that is sustainably sourced, produced from intact citrus peels, and does not require an e-number in Europe.

One of the ways in which consumers are finding a way to incorporate healthy convenience is through the use of antioxidants.

Beverage-makers and consumers alike are “singing the praises” of the healthful attributes of tea ingredients and revealing that there’s now more premium choices and categories utilizing these ingredients than ever before.