My second day at SIAL 2014 was loaded with even more great innovations and a variety of interesting tasting sessions. I tried everything and anything people were willing to throw at my direction. Aloe Vera juice? Check. Chilean beef stew? Check. Indecipherable product with a weirdly enticing aroma and the strangest taste in the universe? Double check.
One of the standout products for me though was Good Night Drink’s Good Night Drink ‘n’ Dream beverage, which is specifically designed to ‘aid a better and deeper sleep experience’. Made using valerian, lavender and rose hip extracts, the Slovakia-based brand’s new drink is a 100% natural extension of the functional drink category that positions itself directly opposite the energy drink sector. Featuring a two year shelf life, the product is free from preservatives, artificial colours and sugars.
Relaxation drinks are becoming more and more popular and a variety of new products and brands have appeared on the market in recent years. Based on my experience, these drinks actively stay away from artificial ingredients and try to position themselves as natural remedies to sleep deprivation and stress.
Another exciting product was China-based Houssy’s new Coco Cube drink. The coconut beverage contains real nata de coco cubes and is available in a range of flavours, including Mango, Lychee and Pomegranate. Producers behind this drink have taken elements of the on-trend coconut water industry and put their own spin on it, by adding jelly coconut cubes. Products like these should be celebrated, as they drive industry trends forward and pave the way to even greater innovative creations. Perhaps the next big innovation in the coconut water field will take its inspiration from this drink and change the game forever. Only time will tell!
South Africa-based Dynamic Commodities was also displaying a striking Breakfast Apple range, which comprises a number of fruit and cereal blends in half apple shells. The new line is designed to be frozen and flavours include Banana Foster Oats and Cranberry with a hint of Orange Oats. Piz Wich’s “Piz to go” microwaveable mini sandwich-shaped pizza was attracting a lot of attention too. The creation is free from artificial colours, flavours and hydrogenated fat, and is designed to be consumed on-the-go. This particular item highlights the health focus that is increasingly being placed on the frozen, convenience snack-food industry and suggests that items of this nature are becoming more concerned with the wellbeing of the consumer.
Andreas Exarheas is an editor at FoodBev Media. This is a personal blog and views expressed are his own.
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024