Coconut water is the new trend beverage. The clear, nutty and slightly sweet-tasting liquid from young, green coconuts, is isotonic and has a high potassium content. This makes it the perfect refresher for restoring the body’s nutrient balance after sports or exertion.
It also stimulates collagen formation in the skin, and it’s a traditional remedy used in Ayurvedic medicine. Coconut water is a healthy treat even when it’s not drunk fresh, straight from the coconut. Food manufacturers rely on the aseptic carton pack to provide high-quality, convenient packaging to treat this premium beverage with care.
Coconut water is sterile as long as the nut remains unopened. As the nut ripens, the liquid becomes less clear. In the tropics, the main growing area for coconut palms, nuts are harvested when the nuts are still green, and the flesh is soft and jelly-like. In this stage, the fruit contains up to 800ml coconut water per nut, and it’s at its most nutrient-rich. If the nuts are left on the tree, the flesh hardens in a few weeks and the nut becomes brown on the outside.
Coconut water has nothing to do with coconut milk, which is made from the flesh of the ripe nuts. The flesh is mixed with water and puréed to a creamy white liquid, and then filtered. In contrast, coconut water is isotonic, because it has the same electrolyte balance of nutrients and fluids as human blood, and the body is able to assimilate it easily and rapidly. It is said to help lower stress, act as a dieting aid, support heart health and to strengthen skin, hair and nails.
UHT processing followed by filling in aseptic carton packs is the best combination to ensure that the nutritious coconut water (which is easily impaired by processing) is treated and packaged gently.
South East Asia’s food and beverage manufacturer Tipco offers coconut water in aseptic carton packs. Coconut water is highly valued in Thailand as one of the healthiest beverages around. It’s fat-free and has been enjoyed for more than 4,000 years as a natural source of valuable nutrients that are good for health and well-being, and an aid to beauty. According to Tipco, ‘Filling the sterile products in protective carton packs will enable us to export them to countries such as the US, Canada and Brazil’.
In Europe, Switzerland’s Bischofszell Food Ltd (BINA) has produced drinks using coconut water since 2012 under the Coco Water label. The company has Pure and Pineapple varieties in small carton packs with drinking straws. Arnold Graf, key account and product group manager at BINA, explained: “Coconut water combines a number of qualities that are beneficial for health. What’s more, it tastes terrific. With Coco Water, we’ve brought to Europe what most Europeans have experienced only on holiday.”
In America too, coconut water has huge potential.
“In 2011, the US market for coconut water saw growth of 100% compared to 2010,” said Tim Kirchen, head of marketing and business development at SIG Combibloc North America. “Estimated retail sales stand at up to €140m. This means coconut water is one of the most significant new developments in the healthy beverages market and has the greatest potential.”
According to Kirchen, it’s not just a sub-segment where small startup companies are getting a foot in the door: “Even the bigger players in the beverage industry are investing heavily in the development of innovative product concepts and processing methods for coconut water,” he said. “It looks likely that a whole host of such beverages will appear on the market, not just as the pure product, but in blended drinks where coconut water adds a special character and natural extras.”
Apple & Eve, one of the US’s biggest privately owned manufacturers of juice beverages, is counting on the special qualities of coconut water. With Water Fruits, the company has brought out a range of innovative beverages. Positioned as a healthy, delicious refresher and presented in bold, colourful packaging, the new products include Tropical Fruit Twister, Fruit Punch Frenzy and Very Berry Blast flavours.
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