Whether it’s a glass of juice, a bottle of water, a can of iced tea, a cup o’ joe or a swig of an energy drink, many of today’s beverages offer a little something extra for that health-conscious consumer. In fact, the beverage aisle bulked up to include an insurgence of nutrient-rich and vitamin-laden options housed in recycled, sustainable containers.
Here’s a rundown of how beverage processors are expanding their market segments.
Juiced up and ready to go
It used to be that juice was made from concentrate and delivered nothing more than just a sweet taste.
Nowadays, juices are becoming the real deal thanks to an added dose of fruits, vegetables and other all-natural ingredients.
“Consumers continue to look for easy and more delicious ways to get their daily servings of fruit and vegetables,” says Victoria Nuevo-Celeste, marketing director for Naked Juice.
That’s why in August, the Monrovia, Calif., processor launched Mango Veggie, which consists of mashed-up mango with yellow carrots, sweet potato, sweet corn, apple, chick peas and hints of lemon and butternut squash. Together, these ingredients provide two full servings of vegetables and one serving of fruit in each 15.2-ounce bottle, Nuevo-Celeste says.
Simultaneously, Naked Juice revamped its reduced-calorie smoothie line to include Lychee and Citrus Lemongrass flavors.
“We are always looking for new, delicious fruits from around the world to bring to our consumers,” Nuevo-Celeste says. “Naked Juice offers the freshest fruits and vegetables and derives naturally delicious and artful blends that offer healthy, feel-good refreshment.”
Taking aim at its rival, V8, produced by Campbell Soup Co., Camden, N.J., Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc., Plano, Texas, added Mott’s Garden Blend, a lighter-tasting blend of tomato and other vegetable juices that delivers two servings of vegetables per 8- ounce bottle.
Old Orchard Brands, Sparta, Mich., turned on the power with its Very Cherre pure tart cherry juice. This 100% juice drink is made up of blueberry, cranberry and cherry/pomegranate blends housed in a 64-ounce bottle.