Articles by Stephanie Cernivec

Most small-business owners see the world through rose-colored glasses when launching their companies, optimistic that their new ventures will succeed and thrive. In the case of Rooibee Red Tea, Louisville, Ky., this optimism has produced strong results.

Because of GPS devices, drivers nowadays are used to being instructed to “turn right in 500 yards” or — for those a little more navigationally challenged — “make a legal U-turn when possible.” Beverage distributors are equipped with these advantages as well, but the latest telematics solutions offer some added perks to help drive efficiency, safety and more.

In recent years, consumer concerns about sugar intake have created a macrotrend of healthier beverages. As a result, the beverage industry has seen natural sweeteners like stevia evolve and become more widely used.

In science class, we learned about the three states of matter: liquid, solid and gas. We know that when water freezes, it becomes ice, and when it’s heated, it becomes vapor. We’re used to seeing water in all three states.

Ten years ago, U.S. consumers might have thought you were a bit “nutty” if you told them that coconut water would be a multimillion-dollar beverage category one day. In fact, Vita Coco Co-founders Michael Kirban and Ira Liran didn’t even believe it at that time.

When it comes to beverage delivery, safety is a top concern. However, drivers also are interested in delivering more product in less time, says Kari Michalski, channel manager for Magline Inc., Standish, Mich.

Using body language, people can express themselves in a variety of ways without saying a word. Likewise, packaging offers its own form of “body language” to attract shoppers upon first glance. New York-based 4sight Inc. refers to this as “form language.”

In February, The Coca-Cola Co. and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc., now known as Keurig Green Mountain, announced plans to develop a new at-home beverage system called the Keurig Cold that would enable consumers to make their own Coca-Cola branded drinks at home.

Liquid concentrates took the U.S. market by storm in 2011 with the launch of Kraft Foods’ Mio liquid water enhancers.

In the craft beer segment, hops tend to steal the spotlight when it comes to formulation. They’re prominent within India Pale Ales (IPAs), which is the segment’s top-selling style, according to Information Resources Inc., Chicago. Plus, they’re even measured in most beers by International Bitterness Units (IBUs), which assess the bitterness of a beer as provided by the hops that are infused during brewing.