Cultures, enzymes, yeast

Vermont-based Aqua ViTea uses spinning cone technology to remove most of the alcohol from its kombucha before bottling (Pictures: Aqua ViTea)

Aqua ViTea: The kombucha industry has not dealt with its alcohol problem

By Elaine Watson

Raising the threshold above which kombucha would be classified as an alcoholic beverage from 0.5% to 1.25% abv, is not the way to deal with the industry’s alcohol problem, says Vermont-based kombucha brand Aqua ViTea, which utilizes spinning cone technology...

Gut reaction: How do you build a brand around digestive health?

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Gut reaction: How do you build a brand around digestive health?

By Elaine Watson

Do all fermented foods contain probiotics? Do consumers understand what prebiotics are? Are shoppers looking for products that deliver a rapid and discernible effect (to tackle bloating/gas/constipation, or improve regularity) or are they focused on long-term...

Picture: Gettyimages/Green Art Photography

'We're not trying to keep anyone out of the market'

What is an ‘authentic’ kombucha? KBI gears up to publish definition

By Elaine Watson

As a wave of lawsuits has brought the debate over what kombucha is and how it is made into sharper focus, trade association Kombucha Brewers International (KBI) is putting the finishing touches on a standard it claims will help preserve the integrity...

Natural and clean label trends 2019: Have you registered yet?

Natural and clean label trends 2019: Have you registered yet?

By Elaine Watson

We clocked a number of brands using terms from 'clean candy' to 'clean protein' on the showfloor at Expo West, but what does 'clean eating' mean, is 'clean' a term that brands should use on product labels, and where...

Kite Hill unveils new look, new products, at Expo West

Kite Hill unveils new look, new products, at Expo West

By Elaine Watson

Kite Hill – a leading player in the fast-growing plant-based dairy category utilizing cultured almondmilk to create cream cheeses, yogurts and filled pastas – will be unveiling a new logo, package design and strapline (‘plant based artisans’) at the Natural...

Picture: Rowdy Mermaid

Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha raises $3.5m, plans move into cans

By Elaine Watson

Boulder-based organic kombucha brand Rowdy Mermaid – which has carved out a distinct niche in the category with its herb and botanical infused beverages - has raised $3.5m in a Series A round, led by KarpReilly and supported by high profile investors...

Peter McGuinness: 'Parents told us that if you can make my kids want to eat yogurt then it’s a win for me.' Picture: Chobani

'We’re not marketing Gimmies based on parental claims, we’re marketing it based on what kids want'

Chobani unveils Gimmies kids’ yogurt brand: ‘We tested the characters with the kids as much as we tested the food’

By Elaine Watson

Chobani is hoping to unlock an incremental growth opportunity in the sluggish yogurt category with the launch of Gimmies, a dedicated brand supported by a new set of characters designed to appeal to kids aged five to nine, who it says are not well-served...