Color can significantly affect the initial perception of taste, which leads to a consumer picking up the product or not.

When it comes to food and beverages, color affect aesthetics, flavor and identification, perception, and anticipated taste.

As consumers consistently look for ways to eat and drink healthier, they want what they put in their mouths to contain recognizable ingredients.

To aid beverage manufacturers, color suppliers are working to develop stable and vibrant natural color solutions as more consumers seek clean-label beverages.

It’s crazy to believe that 2016 is almost at a close. Although there still is much to accomplish before 2017 arrives, the latest trends already are popping up. In the beverage market, much attention usually is given to the finished products because, as many will tell you, taste is king. However, one must not overlook the upcoming trends in packaging attributes.

With a growing interest in getting back to nature, consumer demand for natural ingredients has flourished. As beverage-makers formulate new products, more now are choosing natural colors to appeal to this consumer desire.

Sensient Colors, a division of Sensient Technologies, announced a major advancement in natural color performance. Sensient’s new SupraRed, using novel natural color technology, will enable brands to deliver on growing consumer demand for natural colors from botanical sources that do not sacrifice on color brightness, the company says.

Johns Creek, Ga.-based Amelia Bay published a new white paper written to assist beverage manufacturers in making the proper decisions when it comes to formulating ready-to-drink (RTD) iced tea.

When formulating beverages, it’s important to consider that color not only contributes to product attractiveness, but can influence consumers’ purchasing decisions as they scan the aisles for products with “clean labels” and more “natural” ingredients.

 Zevia announced it has changed its formulas to become color-free, including caramel color, and has received Non-GMO Project Verified status.