Other Companies
Indian protein water start-up Aquatein has launched its Aqualytes electrolyte water. With claims to rehydrate and energize, Aqualytes comes in Guava Twist, Lime Cooler, Sunny Orange, and Very Bery flavors.
Dutch start-up Kumasi Drinks makes its soft drinks from the upcycled juice of cocoa fruit pulp. By getting more out of the cacao fruit than just the beans, Kumasi claims the farmer earns 30 percent extra income per kilogram of cocoa. After two years since entering the market, Kumasi is now in over 1,000 retail outlets and is looking to expand beyond the Netherlands.
Sparkling water brand Spindrift drew heavily on its ‘Spinfluencers’ throughout its recent launch of new flavors. There are currently over 150 active Spinfluencers, chosen not based on their social media following but on how often they post on social media about the company’s drinks. While this group is not required to post about Spindrift, their engagement ranges from crowdsourcing flavor ideas to posting about their Spindrift grocery hauls on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. In return, Spinfluencers receive free product and merch and are invited to exclusive virtual and in-person events, like flavor tastings and cooking classes. The strategy is part of the company’s approach to community-building, which it believes has led to its significant following among sparkling water drinkers. Spinfluencers became especially important in this recent launch, as they helped generate flavor ideas, provide feedback and promote the final products through interactive campaigns.
Analysts expect energy and functional ingredients to be key trends in 2023, according to research presented at a GlobalData webinar entitled ‘Top Consumer Trends To Watch In 2023’. Around 35 percent of people say they see energy-boosting ingredients as “essential”, while 45 percent said immunity-boosting ingredients were a key purchase driver and 32 percent highlighted ingredients that aid relaxation or improve mood.
Soft drink and mixers company Fentimans has highlighted three flavor trends it is watching: citrus fruits, herbs and flowers. While classic citrus flavors such as orange and lime will remain popular, flavors including yuzu, clementine, key lime, lemon peel, and pomelo will drive the expansion of citrus in the drinks industry as the desire for experimentation grows. Meanwhile, herbal flavors help give beverages an authentic, natural feel, which is increasingly popular amongst consumers. Ingredients such as gentian, lemon balm, ginseng, lemongrass, basil, and rosemary can help enhance the taste and smell of beverages. Floral notes also elevate beverages, enhancing the flavor experience and perception of quality. Ingredients include cherry blossom/sakura, lavender, hop, orange blossom, jasmine and hibiscus.
The J.M. Smucker Co. has announced plans to launch a line of Dunkin’ cold-brew liquid concentrates in the spring of 2023. Smucker said it expects annual net sales for the Dunkin’ brand to reach $1 billion in the next four years.