GSB offers green tea inspired flavor twists
The Georgia-based firm has been focusing on flavor blends in recent months, to develop “unusual yet complementary tastes”. Previous introductions have included the Tommango flavour, a pairing of tomato and mango; and fruity-floral pairings like lingonberry and lavender.
Now it is turning its attention to green tea, a tea variety popular in Asia but which has been attracting more interest in the US – not least because of a number of studies highlighting the health benefits of its antioxidant load.
A spokesperson for the company told FoodNavigator-USA.com that green tea has “has carried the torch for the health foods market for many years in countries all around the world.”
She added that it has a lot of potential for food and beverage manufacturers, and is regarded with intrigue.
Although the flavors themselves do not have antioxidant qualities, they can be used in foods and beverages that do, “thereby enhancing the character and taste of these products”.
One of the flavours, Pomegranate Green Tea, is specially suitable to a product that is rich in antioxidants. It is described as a “double-trouble antioxidant pair is delectable and satisfying”.
Hibiscus Green Tea, meanwhile, is an “irresistible fusion of exotic Hibiscus and subtle Green Tea”; and Watermelon Green Tea is described as “a refreshing twist to our smooth green tea flavor”.
All three are said to be suitable for use in products including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, confections, baked goods, savory creations, and more.
Two for tea
GSB is not alone in tapping the tea flavor trend. In June 2008 International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) expanded its range of tea flavors, focusing on categories – white, black, green and Oolong tea.
IFF is expecting tea to move out of the realm of beverages, and into a host of other food applications.
Indeed, there are already some green tea flavored products on the market, such as a limited edition green colored, green tea flavored Kit Kat that was launched by Nestle in Japan.
In terms of the simple beverage, Packaged Facts predicts that the US market for tea will double over the next five years, boosted by a growing interest in wellness.
It estimates that sales for instant, leaf, liquid concentrate and ready-to-drink tea will reach nearly $15bn by 2012, compared to $7.4bn this year.
It said that tea's "all-natural halo" and its lower caffeine content than coffee or cola is one of the major attractions for consumers.
