The latest issue of Mintel’s Global New Products Database shows once again that specialty concepts are driving new product development in both the soft drinks and alcoholic drinks markets. Included in the latest round-up are shakes and smoothies aimed at menopausal women, a cider containing the hot Japanese herb, wasabi, and an artichoke-flavoured drink.
While most products for menopausal women comprise healthcare items such as vitamins, supplements and the odd speciality or homeopathic skincare product, food and drink products for this target audience seem to be few and far between, with most activity in the US. However, some European companies are starting to see the potential for developing such food and drink products.
Drinks for menopausal women
In the UK for example, leading retail chemist, Boots, has had such an insight, and is launching a range of preservative-free shakes and smoothies aimed at menopausal women. They are made with soya which is rich in plant oestrogens, said to have health benefits during the menopause. Varieties include chocolate soya shake, vanilla soya shake and smoothies. It will be interesting to see whether these products are targeted overtly or subtly towards menopausal women.
Wasabi – a hot flavour
Wasabi, the green-coloured Japanese version of horseradish with a hot flavour is well used in Asia. It has also gained popularity in other regions following demand for all things ethnic. Clearly a hot flavour in more ways than one, wasabi has been reported as an ingredient on the GNPD in numerous categories ranging from snacks to sauces and crackers and desserts.
Now, however, it has appeared in another interesting sector, cider. The new product, Xider Wasabi/Lemon, has been introduced in Sweden by Carlsberg. It is described as a 4.5% abv clear and refreshing sparkling cider with a taste of wasabi and lemon, and is said to be ideal with Japanese food.
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By GlobalDataFull metal bottle
The concept of packaging beer in metal bottles is extending beyond Asia with some interesting launches in Europe. Heineken has already ventured into this packaging type with limited edition, green and silver coloured, 330ml aluminium bottles for its Premium Quality Beer in the Netherlands.
Now, a smaller independent player in France, Brasserie Duyck, has done the same with metal bottles for its Jenlain Biere de Garde blonde beer. The new line comprises two novel 7.5% abv varieties: ginger (said to have aphrodisiac properties), and absinthe (to give a wild and artistic feel). The packaging design also adds a further premium edge to the brand, and features either orange (ginger) or green (absinthe) colours with silver. An “inflamed J” logo on the bottles is said to have been inspired by gothic styles. The main objective of such metal packaging designs, at least in Europe, is to attract young adult consumers to the market, and perhaps better compete with bottled FABs.
Kingfisher dives into water
The Kingfisher Indian lager brand, popular with the many curry lovers in the UK, is extending into the water market. This seems a logical and natural extension for the brand, especially of use when accompanying spicy curries. It will be available in still and sparkling varieties, and will be marketed exclusively from Indian restaurants.
1-litre Water
A company based in Ontario simply called 1 Litre Water has made available its 1 Litre Natural Spring Water. This water has a unique mineral balance that comes naturally as it’s bottled and sourced from the pristine Northumberland Forest in Canada. To add to the product’s creativeness, it comes packed in a totally translucent plastic bottle that has a plastic cup attached; it resembles a cocktail shaker. The beverage comes in either one-litre or half-litre sizes and provides consumers with a crisp invigorating taste.
Artichoke drink
Artichoke is a somewhat under utilised vegetable, despite its nourishing and flavoursome qualities. However, in Vietnam, its merits are being highlighted in a new artichoke drink mix from Dat Viet. The product is described as an artichoke drink with strawberry and vitamin C added, and advises consumers that artichoke is one of the world’s oldest medicinal plants. It is claimed to contain a wide number of active constituents, and can be used as a sedative agent, to moderate internal body heat, to aid indigestion, to lower high blood pressure, to lower high cholesterol, and to fight hardening blood vessels. Furthermore, the pack also explains that artichoke has skincare benefits, reducing or eliminating acne, cleansing and containing anti-ageing agents.
