The concept behind Forto is to provide the caffeine of two cups of coffee in a 2 oz. shot. The liquid is made with organic and fair trade coffee and the package looks like a miniature version of the type of to-go coffee cup that you’ll find at many coffee retailers (the paper cup with the plastic sipper lid). On the surface, this sounds like an interesting approach.
Temple Turmeric has updated the branding and formulation of its "Super Blends" sub-line. We think that the company done a fine job in the evolution of its Bullet Brew Turkish Coffee, Matcha Latte and Mexican Chocolate products, all of which have been improved upon the original versions.
FreshBev recently launched a new line of juice blends that, like the company's Ripe Bar Juice and Ripe Craft Juice, are cold-pressed and high pressure processed. Simply named "Fresh Juice," the beverages are currently made and sold for Whole Foods Markets. Visually, it’s pretty easy to grasp what the products are all about, but the large checklist of ingredients on the front panel is a bit of a distraction.
Last month, Pok Pok Som launched a new line of bottled sodas that are made with the brand's drinking vinegar concentrate. Pok Pok Som Soda comes in four varieties -- Turmeric, Ginger, Grapefruit and Thai Basil -- and appears to be a concept that could take drinking vinegar to the masses more quickly than a concentrate product. However, there is a bit of work to do on the label.
Confluence Coffee’s take on a ready-to-drink cold brew coffee is a unique one that incorporates elements of both third-wave coffee and craft beer. It’s cold-brewed, oaked, and filled in a 12 oz. can with nitrogen. The resulting product is flavorful, although it might be slightly hard to get past the oaky flavor.
Vertical Water, which is one of the pioneers of the nascent maple water category, has refreshed its packaging and messaging. We think there’s still a lot of work to be done to develop the maple water category, but Vertical Water’s latest update definitely feels like something that will help it continue to be a key player.
Juice Served Here, an L.A.-based retailer of cold-pressed juices, recently added a line of high pressure processed blends to its portfolio. From "raw soup" to a blend of coconut water, coconut cream and activated charcoal, Juice Served Here has done well to craft an interesting variety of products.
Boylan Bottling Co. has introduced a new line of bottled cocktail mixers. The line comes in three varieties: Club Soda, Tonic and Ginger. It's a well-crafted extension of the Boylan brand and a welcome addition to the fast-growing category of craft mixers.
Dora's Naturals has added two flavor varieties to its Sap on Tap maple water brand. The new Yerba Mate and Ginger Lime flavors are a nice extension of Sap on Tap brand and offer some good differentiation in the nascent maple water category.
Limation Limeade is a high pressure processed blend of water, organic lime juice, organic sugar and raw sugar. As far as the flavor is concerned, the company has nailed it, with a bold lime flavor, just the right amount of sweetness, and that freshly made flavor that screams summertime.
Made with 99.86 percent birch water and added citric acid, the flavor of Säpp's original offering is very light and quite simple. The product, which is very much in its early stages, has a subtle birch aroma and flavor, which is pleasing to the palate.
SOS, which also comes in a berry-flavored offering, is a powdered drink mix that was designed to provide advanced hydration through increased electrolytes.
At last month's 2015 Natural Products Expo East, Health-Ade introduced a new sub-line of "Super-Teas," which are infused with a range of functional ingredients, as well as a holiday-themed variety. From our perspective, the new products well-formulated, and a nice extension of the brand.
With its tagline of “Drink and Be Beautiful,” H2Rose is a product that features rose water and saffron powder as its key functional ingredients. The product, which is 20 percent juice and clocks in at 80 calories and 20g of sugar per 12 oz. bottle, also features sugar, peach juice, stevia, flavors, and malic acid.
