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GinsengUp drink

Herbs and botanicals offer fortification, flavor

Jessica Jacobsen
Jessica Jacobsen
March 12, 2012
As beverage-makers continue to develop products that do more than satisfy consumers’ thirst, the number of beverages that carry a functional claim continues to increase. According to “Functional and Natural Ready-to-Drink Beverages in the U.S.,” a report by Rockville, Md.-based market research publisher Packaged Facts, sales of energy drinks, ready-to-drink (RTD) teas and sports drinks have helped the functional and natural RTD beverage market grow to $23 billion.
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V8 Strawberry Banana smoothie

Vegetable juices work behind the scenes

Stephanie Cernivec
Stephanie Cernivec
February 15, 2012
Children can get crafty when it comes to eating vegetables. They can push them around their plates to try to make it look like they’ve eaten more than they have; or they might hide them in their napkins or underneath other food. The last resort for most kids is actually eating the vegetables. However, manufacturers and parents alike are hoping that incentives and constant exposure to vegetables might help these picky eaters adapt.
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Lite Pom group

Superfruits expand beyond exotic varieties

Nutrient levels highlight more fruits under superfruit umbrella
Jessica Jacobsen
Jessica Jacobsen
January 12, 2012
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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Ingredient feature

Reading between the leaves

Tea shows off its colors, benefits and many functions
Stephanie Cernivec
Stephanie Cernivec
December 11, 2011
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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Cherry Smoothie

Searching for the next superfruit star

Will cherry be the next fruit to rise to the top?
Jennifer Zegler
November 15, 2011
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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Tree Top Juice: Feature for Fiber article

Fiber gains from a fuller understanding

Consumer awareness, ingredient options for fiber expand
Jennifer Zegler
October 14, 2011
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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Aloe beverage

Good inside and out

Aloe gains momentum as a naturally beneficial ingredient
Jennifer Zegler
September 12, 2011
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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Givaudan

Competing for the limelight

Citrus flavors evolve to entice consumers
Stephanie Cernivec
Stephanie Cernivec
August 15, 2011
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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Silk

Omega-3 carving its niche

Fatty acids’ future lies in nutritional beverages
Jessica Jacobsen
Jessica Jacobsen
July 18, 2011

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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Ingredient Spotlight Feature Image

Demand for flavors, customization brew in coffee

Market for coffee and coffee flavors remains strong
Lori Sichtermann
June 20, 2011

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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