Foodex 2018, which was held at NEC in Birmingham, UK last week, featured some of the most modern innovations in UK food and beverage solutions. With the UK sugar tax that has just come into effect, there has been a impressive demonstration of low-sugar, low-sodium soft drinks that come with health claims and fruitful flavors.
Trending natural ingredients included the use of honey and natural sweeteners. Fermented beverages such as kombucha were particularly favorite, along with variations other functional beverages using ingredients like cucumber and coconut. Sparkling presses and juices containing only natural sugars and flavors old and new, including cloudy lemonades and mango and passionfruit, were also hugely popular.
This year exhibitors shone a light on the most important trends driving innovation across the food and beverage sectors and sophisticated soft drinks stood out. There was a rise in demand for ground-breaking premium adult soft drinks, which can be used as mixers or as non-alcoholic beverages by themselves. Consumption habits in the beverage space are changing more than ever before and millennials continue to lead the way when it comes to healthy consumption, with many exhibitors noting that their innovations come as alcohol consumption is declining as younger generations including millennials and Generation Z-ers look for high-end, clean label alternatives.
Artesian Water; bottled at the source in the
Rainforest at Campos Lapa Verde, Costa Rica
Innova Market Insights’ identified “Lighter Enjoyment” as its #2 trend for 2018. The trend centers on consumers continuing to look for ways to eat and drink more healthily, lightness regarding alcohol content, sweetness, flavor, although not at the expense of a familiar, high quality and indulgent taste profile.
Some of the innovations on the show floor:
Lifestyle Drinks GmbH specializes in premium and functional lifestyle drinks in Germany. At this year's show, the company exhibited its releases to the UK market. The first product is the Artesian Water Company; bottled in the source of the Atlantic Forest in Campos Lapa Verde, in Costa Rica, has beautiful and ecological packaging. According to Cas Van Loon, International Sales at Lifestyle Drinks: "For every case of artesian water the company sells, we plant a tree in the Costa Rican rainforest, it is a very sustainable solution to the problems the world is facing and even now planted 18,000 trees. We are now just bringing this product to the UK markets, it is a new concept and we hope it will be a success. As for the taste, the water is clean and slightly sweet, "he says. The company also exhibited the Ocoo Beauty Drink, which combines natural and beauty ingredients to provide 100 percent of the RDA of vitamins and substances for appearance and health. Van Loon said: "This is a unique product and was the first beauty drink launched in the world eight years ago. We are also bringing this to the UK market as we feel this is a good time for this market. The Beauty drink contains fruit nectar that has proven benefits for the skin, hair and nails. "
Zeo presented their range of botanically brewed sparkling juices. At 33-40 calories per drink, the product range was recently reformulated in response to demand for a lightly sparkling fruit drink with no added sugar. The range now includes four fruit and botanical flavors, including Peach & Grapefruit and Cloudy Lemon. Simon Roberts, Channel Manager, Drink Zeo said: “This range has been formulated with the sugar tax in mind, there is only 2.3g of sugar per 100ml serving, and that is natural sugar. Our beverages are also recommended by Sugar Wise and are diabetic-friendly. They are made with 75 percent spring water and 25 percent fruit juice.”
Folkington's is a beverage company based in Sussex that produces fruit juices, drinks and mixers that have a unique provenance and authenticity. They are made from pure extracts (never concentrate) with some being made with locally sourced ingredients from orchards in East Sussex and Kent. Mike Moore, UK sales and marketing director, said: "There is now a greater need for non-alcoholic beverages as consumers are becoming more aware of what they are consuming, so there is a greater need for these sophisticated types of soft drinks for adults. and fashions that offer new sensations and taste experiences. All our juices and presses are produced in a sustainable way, and our traditional flavors such as Cloudy Lemonade and Rhubarb and Apple are very popular among UK consumers. "
KÖLD Group is a British drinks company that develops, produces and markets premium alcoholic drinks worldwide under two brands: KÖLD Cocktails and KALOSA. The company was showcasing their premium frozen cocktails made with the finest natural ingredients at this year's show, which is available in three varieties; Frozen Mojito, Cosmopolitan & Lychee Martini. Inspired by the vibrant nightlife and ice bars of Scandinavia, KÖLD adds cool refinement to the classic cocktail. Each cocktail is mixed with the authentic recipe using only pure distilled spirits and the finest natural ingredients for a genuine, bar-quality result. Kalosa Natural Spritz beverages are specially crafted for the modern drinker looking for an exciting and all-natural alternative to the normal spirit and mixer combo. These lower sugar spritz drinks are ready to serve and have only 99 calories per bottle. The flavors on display were Pink Grapefruit & Vodka and Elderflower and Gin.
Qcumber is a unique and refreshing soft drink, inspired by the idyll of an English summer. The effervescent and individual taste has been created by using a blend of natural cucumber essence and gently sparkling spring water, creating the fresh flavor which is Qcumber. The quality of the water we use is fundamental to the taste of Qcumber. The source of the spring water lies in the old county of Radnorshire in Mid Wales. In this unspoiled rural area, the water can filter naturally through layers of rock to achieve its exceptional taste and purity. Qcumber contains only natural ingredients and is free from artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives and flavorings. The ingredients are carbonated spring water, natural cucumber extract, beet sugar, citric acid. It has a clean, fresh taste which makes it perfect as a stand-alone adult drink. Only 26 calories per 100ml, Qcumber is great on its own but also ideal as a mixer with Gin and Vodka or with Pimms, according to the company.
GO! The Kombucha displayed its hand made kombucha tea, 100% raw. GO! Kombucha is the oldest Kombucha tea brand in the UK, established in 2003, but its heritage can be traced back to the mid-1990s in a floating house at the Thames in Teddington, Middlesex. There, the recipe was refined and adjusted over ten years for consumption, until production was increased to meet the demand of visitors and eventually sell at local fairs and festivals. It was then realized that production could be modified to create the first brand of 100% authentic Kombucha tea from the UK. Gary Leigh, the company's director, said: "Consumers are looking for non-alcoholic beverages that mimic alcohol and reduce overall consumption of beverages. Kombucha has many health benefits and is not taxable after the UK sugar tax came into effect recently. Tea and coffee trends are taking over and our Kombucha tea is fashionable, raw, authentic, and, above all, fermented. "
Coco Fuzion 100, the UK’s first all-natural carbonated coconut water, announced its official UK launch at the beginning of April. With the brand already snowballing in Ireland, Scandinavia and Spain, Coco Fuzion 100 has secured listings in 2,700 UK stores. Coco Fuzion 100 was developed by C7 Brands, one of the UK’s leading independent drinks companies. CEO of C7 Brands Stephen Barton commented on the UK launch and investment plans: “Coconut water is nature’s sports drink, and we want to make its myriad benefits available to all. Consumer demand for coconut water has boomed mainly driven by an AB1 female demographic. Our flavor profile, pack size and investment plans are geared to broaden that audience across all demographics, especially given the opportunity created by the impending sugar tax and coconut water’s unique health benefits.”
Ceiba also presented their range of low-sugar beverages made using real craft brewed cinnamon infusions – not a cinnamon extract or powder. Ceiba makes every batch uniquely different, 100 percent natural and manufactured using the most delicate cinnamon known to man – Sri Lankan Ceylon Cinnamon. It has a great aroma, a crisp flavor and it’s packed full of health benefits. It was even the same cinnamon the Mexican’s used in their teas. Ceiba uses a microbrewery to make the infusion base. Great temperature controls keep the infusion steeped at steady temperatures, drawing out the flavors, and we also pass it through two stages of filtration for a smooth finish. The beverages are available in three different flavors, all including cinnamon: Coconut, Lime & Ginger and Mango & Passionfruit. Ceiba is the first company in the UK to bring the exciting and authentic taste of Sri Lankan Cinnamon in a fruit-based drink to the UK market.
