PETpla.net Insider 09 / 2019

BEVERAGE INGREDIENTS PET planet Insider Vol. 19 No. 09/19 www.petpla.net 26 “Naturalness”, healthy added value and unique taste experiences Beverage trends in India Exotic or traditional: New taste sensations While the classic cola, citrus, lemon-lime, mango, mixed fruit and apple beverage flavours continue to be the most popular and dominant in the Indian market, curiosity for “something different” is starting to make an impact. Regional flavours, in particular, are on the rise; they enjoy high consumer recognition and reflect the Indian tradition and lifestyle, “with every sip”. Doehler, the global producer, marketer and supplier of technology- driven natural ingredients, systems and integrated solutions for the food and beverage industry, offers both classic nectars and juices featuring popular flavours, along with a new range of typically Indian fruit flavours, such as falsa and bael or sugarcane, to reflect regional taste preferences. Simple and tasty: Nature at its best The trend for natural food and beverages is growing worldwide and extends across all food and bever- age categories. It is therefore no surprise that fruit juices are more popular than ever and that they and juice drinks are increasingly rec- ognised as a convenient lifestyle product, one that supports a bal- anced diet, even “on the go”. As well as classic fruit juices and nectars, more and more consumers are look- ing for exciting concepts that provide authentic taste and healthy added value. Doehler is tapping this trend by developing innovative solutions with premium quality NFC (Not From Concentrate) juices that deliver naturally fresh tastes and provide inspiration for healthy and fashion- able product positioning. One of the hottest trends is for cold-pressed, non-heated NFC juices, produced using state-of-the-art gentle processing methods. This preserves the best nature has to offer, from the fresh taste of the fruits and vegetables to their valuable ingredients. Fruits are the classic basis but NFC juices with fresh vegetable ingredients such as beetroot, carrot and mixed vegeta- ble are also becoming more popular. They may be the next healthy bever- age trend in India, because of their delicious flavour and vitamin content. Doehler, which has its own fruit and vegetable processing at the point of origin and state-of-the-art blending facilities worldwide, offers a diverse range of high-quality raw juices for dif- ferent product concepts. Another emerging ‘natural’ trend is for malt beverages. These sweet and non-alcoholic alternatives to beer, which have a long history in the Middle East especially, are also becoming visible on the Indian market. Doehler’s range of malt beverages is designed to meet the demands of target groups looking for novel sensory experiences; the young, particularly. The natural raw material provides a range of B vitamins, key minerals and trace elements and are thus a base with a positive image as a natural source of energy, while con- taining nutritional elements. Flavours such as mango and mixtures featur- ing strawberry and lime offer modern positioning opportunities. ‘Natural’ meets healthy nutritional value Today’s consumers are increas- ingly health-conscious. They believe that quality of life is as important as longevity and they are prepared to invest time and money to achieve both. Health has become one of the most important mega trends in India. Increasing numbers of people in India are striving to pursue a healthier and more natural lifestyle. As well as the over- all multi-sensory impression, a product’s healthy nutritional values and the sources of its ingredients also need to impress the customer. Doehler’s research and development process embraces both aspects while ensuring that the product contributes to a healthy diet. Michaela Schmidt-Meier / pixelio.de