Trends in Beverage Flavours and Sweeteners
Beverage manufacturers know that consumers want to enjoy unique, exotic flavors. They also understand that combining familiar flavors with novel ones can help make new products more approachable.
From tropical flavors in alcoholic and low/no-alcohol beverages to citrus flavours in IPAs, there’s a trend toward flavor combinations that are both refreshing and uplifting.
Exotic fruit flavours
The use of exotic fruit flavours in beverages continues to be a growing trend. In fact, according to Mintel data from February, pineapple, mango, passion fruit and guava are the leading non-alcoholic beverage flavors. Beverage Flavours In addition, organic tropical, exotic and varietal fruit flavors have also seen growth in popularity over the past year. These unique flavour profiles are being used to create new drink concepts and product lines for consumers looking for healthy alternatives to traditional apple, orange and grape juices.
The availability of exotic fruit ingredients is expanding to meet consumer demand. For instance, acerola is one of the latest trends to hit the beverage industry. Often referred to as the ‘king of antioxidants’, this powerful fruit contains a high level of Vitamin C. This nutrient-dense superfood is known to boost immune function, protect cells and promote overall health.
Other exotic fruits that are gaining popularity in the juice market include camu camu, kaffir lime, guarana and mangosteen. These exotic fruits offer unique and exciting flavor profiles and vibrant natural colours. In addition, they can be blended with other fruits to create innovative and healthy beverage formulations.
Natural flavours
Natural flavours are a good choice for beverage manufacturers who want to appeal to health-conscious consumers. They are also often considered more eco-friendly than artificial flavours. Natural flavours are derived from plant sources and are rigorously tested for safety. However, it is important to note that natural flavours can still contain chemicals. Therefore, it is always best to read the label of a product before consuming it. If you have allergies or sensitivities, it is a good idea to consult your doctor before consuming any products with natural flavours.
Flavors are the key component of beverages and play a critical role in their popularity and profitability. Beverage producers are constantly searching for new flavour combinations that will appeal to consumer tastes and capture the latest trends. For example, pomegranate has recently become a popular fruit flavoring. Flavor companies have developed concepts that replicate the taste of pomegranate arils, which are small sacs inside the fruit responsible for its distinctive sweet and sour flavor.
These natural flavors are being used in a variety of beverages, including fruit drinks, energy drinks, alcoholic beverages, and low and no alcohol options. In addition, manufacturers are experimenting with spicier flavours, which have been well-received by consumers. Spicy drinks are popular during holiday seasons, but they can be enjoyed year-round.
Alcoholic flavours
The alcohol flavour in drinks is a major contributor to the overall taste. It’s also an acquired taste, and one that many people are not keen on if they have never tried it before. Adding alcohol to beverages gives them the characteristic bitter and dry taste that some find unpleasant.
To make these drinks more Beverage Flavours palatable, alcoholic beverage flavours can be used to hide the bitter taste of alcohol. For example, a mojito drink has a lovely sweet flavour that masks the bitterness of the alcohol and tastes delicious. Similarly, pineapple and coconut mask the bitterness of beer and can give it an exotic summer flavour.
Alcoholic beverages like beer and wine are an acquired taste, and even a small amount of them can cause you to feel sick the first few times that you drink it. It is therefore important to keep trying them until you get accustomed to the taste and can enjoy it.
The alcoholic beverage flavours market is a lucrative and growing opportunity for the right brands. The right ingredients are essential to create innovative and superior tasting beverages, from RTD cocktails to flavored beer and cider. Whether it is a flavoring for beer or an extract for fruity non-alcoholic spritzers, the options are endless for beverage manufacturers to make their product stand out from the crowd.
Sweeteners
Sweeteners are an essential part of many beverage formulations, providing the necessary sweetness to mask bitterness and enhance texture. Choosing the right sweetener for your product depends on a number of factors, including cost considerations and desired flavor profile. Ultimately, selecting the correct sweetener for your beverage can make or break its success in the marketplace.
Many beverage manufacturers are using natural sweetener blends to improve mouthfeel and texture while still staying within caloric restrictions. This is often done by combining a low-calorie sweetener, such as sucralose or stevia extract, with a high-intensity natural sugar replacement like aspartame or ace-K. Many of these sweeteners have a similar flavor to sugar, but with a lower glycemic index and more sustainable profile.
Moreover, functional sweeteners such as tagatose can also be used in combination with natural flavors to provide a desirable fresh impact and improve product appeal by enhancing mouthfeel and boosting fruit notes. Tagatose has the physical bulk of sugar, but is metabolized differently and offers a unique combination of low caloric value and potential health benefits such as prebiotic effects.
Beverage entrepreneurs need to keep in mind that there is a growing consumer demand for healthier alternatives to traditional sugary beverages. As such, it has never been more important to consider the full spectrum of available sweeteners to create innovative, market-ready beverages.