In this series of podcasts, 1-2-Taste’s Jasper Schouten speaks with ingredients suppliers about market trends, product innovation, best practices, supplier challenges, and more. “Eat, drink, and be merry.” From water, to tea, to beer and beyond, beverages do a lot more than provide simple hydration: they can also bring us pleasure, health and social benefits. But how can you give consumers what they want, when they seem to want it all? In our recent podcast, Peter Roepers of PREfresco Beverage Lab, Xavier Papasseit of ITS, Ross Norris of Australian Native Products, Hassan Jamil of Dole and Arjen van der Wijk of Cibus Nexum shared with me their insights into the beverage company’s journey to introduce innovative and successful new products. When we say “Consumers want it all” from their beverages, we mean exactly that! On the one hand, they are shouting out for new experiences, like unique craft and premium beers or innovative flavours, ingredients and brewing techniques. At the same time, they are looking for products that are “healthier” – for both themselves and the planet. That can include low/no-alcohol beverages, drinks with functional ingredients such as probiotics or vitamins, or more environmentally friendly processes. Luckily, ingredients suppliers are finding new ways to support small and medium-sized breweries and beverage companies with these seemingly conflicting demands. So, what’s your cup of tea? Finding innovative botanical ingredients that combine taste and functional benefits? Putting your focus on sustainability, with ‘upcycled’ ingredients made from side-streams or local sourcing that helps the environment and local communities? Or maybe you want to make sure you are offering consumers the ‘trendy’ flavours they are looking for? In our podcast, five suppliers share their insights into the beverage and brewery product development journey, following five steps: Developing the concept Creating a winning protype Going to market Getting the best supplier contracts Ensuring a robust supply chain 1-2-Taste can help you overcome your supply challenges, with a wide portfolio of ingredients; transparent, competitive pricing; an interface that makes it easy to find suppliers and order; minimal order quantities; and technical product development support.
