It’s a small category, but one that has always been large when it comes to innovation. And a look at the world of gourmet CSD offerings and their ongoing evolution continues to generate excitement, if not big checks from the beverage giants. Now, brands in the category are going even further into emerging areas like fermentation, botanical ingredients, seasonal offerings, and an increasingly array of flavors and effects.
The latest Expo West show turned out to be the biggest on record with more than 60,000 attendees and over 160 beverage-related exhibitors packing the event. Marching through the vast halls of the Anaheim Convention Center, BevNET's John Craven and Andrew Guard examine new and continuing trends seen at the show including new uses for coconut water, the growth of alkalized waters, natural energy, “refined” refreshment, and the increasing use of chia and oats in wellness drinks.
In yet another report linking sugary drinks to potential health risks, a Harvard-backed long-term study found that the consumption of sugary drinks increased the risk of heart disease in men by 20 percent, as compared to men who abstained from drinking sugar-sweetened beverages. The American Beverage Association (ABA) promptly issued a statement refuting the findings of the study.
It’s been a few months since Hoby Buppert took the stage at BevNET Live’s New Beverage Showdown; there, the Bawls co-founder dazzled the judges panel with 82Go, a simple and innovative 8 oz. plastic pouch of water. 82Go has gained some traction since then, receiving industry wide praise for the product’s innovative packaging, and inroads to distribution in South Florida, a coveted and influential market for entrepreneurial beverages.
The Coca-Cola Co., Inc. and PepsiCo, Inc. both said they will change the way they add caramel coloring to their flagship sodas after a study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest revealed the presence of a carcinogen in some containers. The changes were made to avoid a California law requiring products that contain known carcinogens to put a cancer warning on their labels.
Embracing the bonds that the two companies have shared since 1998, Honest Tea will launch Raspberry Fields, a raspberry flavored and lightly sweetened tea, exclusively in Whole Foods beginning in April. In this quick booth interview at Natural Products Expo West, Jeff Klineman, the editor-in-chief of BevNET, spoke with Honest Tea founder Seth Goldman and Melanie Knitzer, the vice president of natural channel sales, about the new product and its relationship with Whole Foods.
It's a coffee brand that's done a fine job of accelerating in the past year, and it's gone from 2500 outlets in 2009 to more than 20,000 by 2012, but Coke Venturing and Emerging Brands group's licensed Illy Issimo has retained a fairly low profile. Now, in an attempt to grab a bit more space in the grab and go realm, Tom Larsen, the brand's general manager, revealed that he is moving three of the brand's varieties -- Cappuccino, Latte Macchiato and Mochaccino -- into 9.5 oz. teardrop bottles.
With a close eye on consumer feedback, Zico showcased a couple of new products from its crowded booth at Natural Products Expo West. As reported by BevNET last week, Zico launched Zico Latte, a new coconut water and coffee blend as well as two new Tetra-Pak sizes for its popular Chocolate flavor, which had previously been available only in PET bottles.
Back on the floor at Natural Products Expo West for a quick interview with Arnold Ventura, the CEO of aguas frescas maker Coba. BevNET founder John Craven spoke to Ventura about Coba's new Horchata flavor, one tinged with notes of cinnamon and vanilla.
BevNET's coverage of Natural Products Expo West begins with a series of short video interviews from the floor of the bustling event. In this segment, BevNET CEO John Craven spoke with Bai founder Ben Weiss about the brand's new packaging as well as the company's new distribution deal in metro New York.
Investment bank Silverwood Partners has released a lengthy overview of the natural products just in time for valuations to hit at Natural Products Expo West.…
Acquired by Texas-based soda company Big Red last fall, Premium CSD brand Thomas Kemper has begun a period of geographic expansion.…
Up and coming relaxation product Dream Water is launching into the natural channel, but it will be doing so without co-founder Adam Platzner. The 2.5 oz. “sleep shot” has moved…
That ConsumerLab.com report from last August continues to dog coconut water category leader Vita Coco, which settled a class-action lawsuit in New York last month for $10 million. Word from…
