Functional Beverage Trends, Stevia 3.0 and a New Bitter Blocker

🌱 Super busy week (ground-breaking event of Reservoir Farms, for Reservoir, where I consult), so my regularity is a bit irregular.

There is a lot happening in our industry and the excitement towards ICBC is something else that stirs the conversations.

And for those who haven’t read the IFU Juice Letter yet… it is highly recommended.
Full disclosure I contributed 1 article on pineapple.

(And no, not getting a tattoo.)

Juice News 🧃

Stevia 3.0: Can the plant-based sweetener finally crack mainstream beverages?

Stevia, a natural plant-based sweetener, is 200 times sweeter than sugar and has significant potential for reducing sugar intake in mainstream beverages. Despite facing challenges, stevia remains a promising option for those seeking alternatives to traditional sweeteners.

Australian SPC sells tomatoes to China, launches new beverage business

SPC Global, following a merger, revealed its first end-of-year report, introducing a new beverage division. The company sold tomatoes to China and merged with The Original Juice Co, SPC, and Nature One Dairy and Natural Ingredients. This strategic move indicates a shift towards diversification and expansion into the beverage market, showcasing the company's adaptability and growth strategy.

Functional beverages trends, global market overview

The functional beverage market is expanding beyond athletes, with sports drinks becoming popular among a wider consumer base. This trend highlights a shift in consumer behavior towards seeking functional benefits in beverages.

Artificial sweeteners still bitter? Natural fix shows promise

New research suggests that natural compounds can counteract the bitter aftertaste often associated with artificial sweeteners by blocking the receptors responsible, thereby improving the taste to more closely resemble real sugar.

POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice Ranks Highest in Antioxidants Amongst Top Consumer Beverages Tested

UCLA analysis found POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice to have the highest antioxidant levels among over 60 beverages tested. This highlights the product's superior antioxidant content compared to other consumer beverages, emphasizing its potential health benefits.

Luscombe launches apple & ginger beverage to mark 50th anniversary

To commemorate its 50th anniversary, Luscombe, known for its high-quality soft drinks, has unveiled a new Apple & Ginger beverage.

Citrus News 🍊

brought to you by

UF/IFAS Launches New Magazine at Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo

UF/IFAS introduced the UF/IFAS Citrus Magazine at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo, aiming to provide valuable information and resources to the citrus industry. The magazine is part of an Extension initiative to support growers, stakeholders, and the community. This new publication serves as a platform for sharing research findings, best practices, and industry updates to enhance citrus production and sustainability.

Research Worth Reading 🔬

The influence of citrus rootstocks on lime genotype tolerance to witches’ broom disease

Mexican lime orchards in southern Iran have been severely impacted by witches’ broom disease of lime (WBDL) caused by 'Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia'. To combat vector-borne diseases like WBDL, identifying and utilizing tolerant or resistant genotypes is a crucial strategy.

Influence of key lime aroma compounds on taste perception of rebaudioside A

The study explores how key lime aroma compounds can influence the taste perception of rebaudioside A (RA), a sweetener with bitterness and off-flavors. Aroma compounds play a crucial role in modifying the taste of RA, potentially enhancing its palatability. Understanding the impact of key lime aromas on RA taste perception could lead to improved applications of this sweetener in food products.