Fruit Juice- New Products

Fruit juice (100%) and drinks—new product claims

As U.S. consumers continue to show concern for the environment, both fruit juice and fruit drink manufacturers have included environmentally friendly packaging claims in their product development in 2010 and 2011.

In 2011, eight out of 10 claims in new fruit juice products were related to health and wellness. It is notable that antioxidant claims in fruit juice product development have consistently declined since 2008, suggesting that this pro-health positioning may not bring in the same consumer interest as it did in the early 2000s.

Organic products also do not appear to be very successful in the fruit juice segment, since this claim was completely absent from launches of fruit and fruit juice drinks in 2010 and 2011. It is likely that people who value organic attributes in food and beverages prefer to eat organic fruits rather than drink organic juice. Nevertheless, 33% of all adults aged 18+ whose household uses organic produce and natural/organic beverages report that either they or someone in their household drinks organic refrigerated juice, and 22% say the same for shelf-stable (SS) bottled juices. Thus, despite the industry’s instinct to shy away from this claim in 2010 and 2011, data suggest that there is still a demand for organic juices.

Unlike fruit juice, there was an increase in the number of new juice drinks products launched between 2010 and 2011 with pro-health claims. Clearly, juice drinks makers have been trying to attract consumers who are looking for value-priced healthier juice options. It is important to note that while the organic claim has been absent in new fruit juice products, it has remained strong in new juice drinks products. Similarly, juice drinks continue to use antioxidant claims to attract health-conscious consumers.

Source: Mintel

Flavor Innovation

Reinvent traditional flavors with fruit varietals, herbs, and flowers

There is no denying that fruit juice/drinks is a mature segment where consumers are likely to be experiencing “flavor fatigue” from traditional flavors. Therefore, manufacturers can offer a flavor twist in fruit juice/drinks to infuse novelty in flavors. The following list includes some ideas on averting flavor fatigue:

• Instead of plain fruit flavors such as apple, orange, cherry, and grape, fruit juice/drinks makers can offer flavors for popular varieties such as Gala apple, Valencia orange, or Concord grape. 
• A hint of popular herbs such as lemongrass, rosemary, basil, and sage can be added to fruit juices/drinks to freshen up the flavor profile. Similarly, flowers can be used for adding aroma and taste to traditional flavors. The use of orange blossom, rose water, hibiscus, and fruit/chamomile blends have been seen in different types of nonalcoholic beverages.
  What herbs or flavors would you like to see offered in juice market?  Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
  
  
  
  
  Source: Mintel GNPD

Juicing Trend

The concept of juicing fruits and vegetables has been around for a long time.  Recently though, it has taken a firm grip on the marketplace and is a solid beverage and health trend.  Fresh juice is even becoming a large focus for coffee giant Starbucks.   

Click here to read a recent Barron's article on the juicing trend.

Morning Jolt

Taco Bell is serving up a new combination of Mountain Dew and Orange Juice called Mountain Dew A.M.

Check out the full story by clicking this link:  Taco Bell's new morning orange juice drink

Juice Tyme, Inc. offers a wide selection of Orange Juice beverages that can be used to create your own unique offering.  Contact Juice Tyme here or via our website at www.juicetyme.com for product listings and availability.

What do you think of this morning jolt?  Share your comments below.

Orange Juice Futures Market

The commodities market has been very volatile for quite some time.  Unfortunately, orange juice futures have not escaped this market trend.  After seeing price relief in the first half of 2012, the potential for a strong hurricane season is expected to drive prices higher.  For the full article from the Wall Street Journal, please click below.

Click here for the full article: OJ Futures

Fiber-Enriched Beverages

A recent study showed that 9 out of 10 Americans believe that their digestive health is a top priority.  Additionally, it revealed that consumers are interested in purchasing products with added fiber.

Fiber enhanced food products have been in the market for years, but beverages are now getting into this segment giving consumers additional ways to reach their recommended daily amount of fiber.  Fiber-enriched dairy drinks are in high demand but fruit juices and juice beverages are exciting sub-categories for this type of enrichment.  This is because people believe fruit juice already contains a lot of fiber, so it's a natural fit for fiber enrichment.

Research and development in the fiber category has allowed this segment to expand.  New soluble fiber ingredients are non-viscous and sometimes are known for their clear and tasteless characteristics.  The newer non-viscous, invisible soluble fibers not only have implications for color and texture, but their effect on health claims is important too.  They can be added to beverages at levels high enough for fiber claims without detection by consumers.

Fiber enriched beverages can be useful in many market segments including assisted living and education.  Consumers across all age groups are focused on enriching their diet in order to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Please comment below with your thoughts on fiber enriched beverages.


Source:  Beverage Industry, April 2012

100% Fruit Juice

A recently published manuscript titled “Fruit juice consumption is associated with improved nutrient adequacy in children and adolescents: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2006,” was authored by researchers at Louisiana State University and Baylor College of Medicine.

The study shows that 100% juice consumers had higher intakes of key nutrients compared to non-consumers.  These findings provide a fantastic opportunity to promote the benefits of drinking fruit juice and to highlight the role juice plays as a nutrient-dense beverage that contributes essential vitamins and minerals to the diet.

Juice Tyme offers a wide variety of 100% fruit juices to meet our customers' needs in the following flavors:  Cranberry, Grape, Orange, Apple, Cran-Apple, Fruit Punch, Grapefruit, Kiwi Strawberry Banana, Passion Orange Guava, Passion Orange Mango, Pineapple, Pomegranate Blueberry, and Prune.

Click here to view the full article.

 www.juicetyme.com

Ingredient Trend- Coconut Water

Products utilizing coconut as an ingredient have increased by more than 50% since 2005.  Specifically in the juice segment, coconut water as an ingredient increased by double between 2009 and 2010.  Coconut water is being used in combination with juice, tea, sports drinks, aloe and probiotics.

Going forward, coconut water’s use as an ingredient will continue to increase.  It is expected to be used to formulate lower-calorie, high juice content beverages.  Coconut water is connected to freshness and refreshment which fits into the broad consumer trend for healthier products.

What do you think about the coconut water ingredient trend?  Share your thoughts below.  

To read the full article about coconut water click here:  Coconut Ingredient Trend

Global Beverage Trends

Click on the link below to check out a great article highlighting 2012 Global Beverage Trends:


http://www.bevindustry.com/articles/85472-global-beverage-trends

Tea Tyme

Tea consumption in the U.S. has increased enough that in 2010 we imported more tea than the United Kingdom.  Whether it’s because of health benefits, low-caffeine content, or nostalgia of summertime sun tea, tea is a rising trend in our beverage market creating a $7.8 billion industry.  Not only is tea a very versatile beverage, it’s also known for its antioxidant and flavonoid content making it a great beverage choice for all market segments.  

In order to grow its market share, tea is being paired with herbs, spices, and other flavors taking the consumer way beyond the sweetened or unsweetened choices of the past.  Combining tea with another flavorful beverage or juice is another great way to innovate and expand a beverage menu. 

 Juice Tyme offers its customers a green tea with honey and ginseng and a raspberry tea, in addition to sweetened and unsweetened tea.  Juice Tyme’s iced tea is a great base for combining with our raspberry lemonade or for using with your own herbs, spices, or fruits. 

Have you seen any innovative tea combinations in the market?  Please share your favorites or thoughts on the tea trend in the comments below. 

Source:  foodandnutritionmag.org, summer 2012

Renzi Food Show

Juice Tyme RSM Jamie Artessa at the Renzi Food Show

Check out the link below to read an article about Juice Tyme highlighting an interview with our President, Phil Scott!

 http://www.juicetyme.com/sites/default/files/client%20files/FMCHI_JuiceTyme.pdf