The Winter 2012 Fancy Food show in San Francisco wrapped up this past Tuesday afternoon; while the overall number of beverage companies was light for the third year in a row (approximately 40), the stalwarts seeking specialty channel retailers and distributors were present – sparkling juices and juice, gourmet sparkling and still waters, coconut waters, coffee and teas, and gourmet CSDs. As in previous years, exhibitors said they were pleased by the density of the foot traffic and “meetings” with large influential retailers and wholesalers walking the aisles. In fact, those aisles were, at times, very crowded, bordering on too packed to walk. Since Expo West is less than two months away, and is typically the large “coming out” party, there weren’t too many new companies we came across walking the floor. Beverage companies continued the trend of repackaging and tweaking or tinkering with their flavors at this show and there were some interesting new launches across the board. Below is a sampling of what we saw:
Adagio Teas has completely redesigned its packaging.
Avitae Caffeinated Water has a new “half-strength” SKU with 45mg of caffeine along with its original 90mg bottle.
Ayu Teas is launching new flavors.
Blue Marble Brands is launching a non-GMO Project verified 8.45 oz. Tetra Pak coconut water under the brand name of Harvest Bay All-Natural Coconut Water.
Blue Monkey Coconut Collection will be launching a new line of juices using coconut water that has been slightly sweetened with organic agave.
Bonadea /Coba has been authorized for Whole Foods nationwide and is rolling through the Whole Foods system slowly.
Brands Within Reach is importing a new French all-natural energy drink, Chamane, in Pomegranate, with 320 mg of natural caffeine and 6 percent fruit juice in an 8.4 oz. aluminum bottle, as well as a Chamane coffee flavor.
Bruce Cost is coming out with a new Passion Fruit flavor of CSD in February.
Cheribundi has two relatively new products – Ginger Cherry Juice and Cacao Cherry Juice Drink.
Epicurean Beverages has a new sparkling Clementine flavor.
Grown Up Soda (GUS) has a new root beer flavor.
Honest Tea is launching at the end of February a “Not Too Sweet Tea” flavor sweetened with Stevia and pure cane sugar.
ICIO Water has four new flavors – Blood Orange Tarragon, Peach Ginger, Lychee Watermelon and Black Currant Blueberry.
ITO EN / Tea’s Tea emphasized their new Half and Half flavor.
Lorina has new 14.2 oz. PET bottles, plus new Sparkling Pomegranate and Pomegranate Blueberry flavors.
Purity Organic is launching a 17 oz. Tetra Pak coconut water along with a new 12 oz. PET 100 percent orange juice, as well as their Pressed Apple and Cranberry SKUs.
Q Tonic now has a Club Soda SKU available in 8 oz. 4-packs and 750ml bottles.
Raw Foods has two new flavors – Passion Fruit Wheatgrass and Raspberry Lemongrass – plus 32 oz. multi-serve bottles.
Real Beanz is a new premium RTD coffee line made with rSBT free milk and all natural flavors, enhanced with functional ingredients. Flavors include Caramel: Focus, Cappuccino: Energize, Mocha: Resist, Vanilla Nut: Relax and Diet Cappuccino: Trim & Fit (sweetened naturally) in 9.5 oz. glass bottles.
SPI West Port, Inc. makers of ALO, is launching ALO Escape (Pineapple+Guava+Seabuckthorn Berry).
Sun Tropics has two Coconut Juices in cans – with pulp and no pulp.
Victoria’s Kitchen is launching their flagship product, Victoria’s Kitchen Almond Water, in 16 oz. glass bottles.