INGREDIENTS

Beverage-makers are turning to ingredient suppliers to deliver on a variety of needs states. Fortification is driving the need for a diverse group of ingredients that support flavor, functionality and much more. Sweetener solutions of today are addressing full-calorie, reduced-calories and zero-calorie beverages through both artificial and natural sweeteners. Flavor trends are showing a demand for historic staples such as orange, cherry, chocolate and vanilla as well as the emergence of exotic profiles like dragon fruit, pomegranate, coconut, mangosteen and much more. Suppliers also are combining domestic and exotic profiles to offer introductions in new flavor development, including blueberry acai, acerola and apple, mango and peach, and much more.

For today’s functionality, ingredient suppliers are developing a range of solutions that support pressing consumer trends such as weight management, cognitive health, immune support, digestive health, performance and energy, and much more. To support the functional beverage trends, ingredient suppliers are crafting portfolios with proteins (both animal and plant based), fiber, probiotics, l-theanine, guarana, guayusa, zinc and much more. As clean label becomes a bigger part of the conversation, ingredient suppliers are releasing solutions that meet the certifications that consumers are becoming accustomed to including USDA organic, non-GMO, SQF, GRAS, NSF, Fair Trade, gluten free, kosher, halal and much more. Given the proliferation of fortification with function-based ingredients as well as alternative sweetener solutions, masking capabilities also are fueling innovation in the ingredient space.