A new hard iced tea, bound to delight tea lovers everywhere in the US, is entering the market! Made with real brewed Lipton tea, natural fruit flavours and a triple-filtered, premium malt base, Lipton Hard Iced Tea takes America’s favourite tea and reimagines it as a 5 % ABV non-carbonated product. This great tasting and refreshing hard iced tea is launching in four just-sweet-enough flavours that are inspired by Lipton tea fan favourites: Lemon, Peach, Half & Half and Strawberry.

About the flavours

All four flavours are made with real brewed Lipton tea:

• Lemon: Tart lemon flavour and smooth Lipton iced tea combine in this classic 5 % ABV flavour.
• Peach: Juicy peach flavour makes this fruity, 5 % ABV hard iced tea stand out in the crowd.
• Strawberry: A balanced blend of ripe strawberry flavour, 5 % ABV and smooth Lipton iced tea for sunshine-ready sipping.
• Half & Half: Lipton iced tea meets the just-sweet-enough flavour of lemonade in this refreshing 5 % ABV hard iced tea blend.

As per a new Fact.MR analysis, the global bottled tea market is forecasted to expand at a CAGR of 4.5 % from 2023 to 2033. The market is valued at USD 50 billion in 2023 and is thus expected to reach a size of USD 78 billion by the end of 2033.

Black tea is also well known as a source of antioxidants that aid in the body’s elimination of free radicals. It doesn’t have any sodium, fat, sugar, carbonation, or added sweetness. It is almost calorie-free. It supports maintaining a proper fluid balance and improves general health.

• The camellia sinensis plant is used to produce all varieties of tea products, including green, black, oolong, and white, as per the National Institutes of Health.

“Rising adoption of flavoured bottled tea by Millennials”

Millennials choose tea in bottles over freshly brewed tea produced at home. The growing adoption of flavoured bottled tea by young consumers is boosting market expansion. Global demand for bottled iced tea beverages has been aided by Generation Z.

Decreased stress, antioxidants, and hydration are a few of the advantages of drinking bottled iced tea. As a result, people are adopting this beverage and supporting market growth. Also, the antioxidants in iced tea have the power to purify the body, eliminate toxins that have built up, and improve health.

“Increasing demand for discrete flavours of bottled tea in North America”

North America accounts for 60 % share of the global market due to rising customer desire for ready-to-drink beverages and consumer-driven product innovations.

Increasing demand for discrete flavours of bottled tea and the availability of premium tea brands are the elements supporting market expansion in the region.

Competitive landscape

Leading companies are attempting to boost their market presence by utilising novel ingredients & flavour combinations and maintaining quality control. Key bottled tea manufacturers are implementing strategies such as new developments, enhancing product standards, and launching new products following safety regulations to lower the environmental impact. They are focusing on authenticity and packaging, pricing trends, and improving supply chain management.

For instance,

• Tiesta Tea, a Chicago-based loose-leaf tea company, launched a new line of functional cold-brew bottled tea in targeted grocery stores in the U.S.
• Buddha Teas, a California-based brand ventured into Latin America, Mexico, with its bottled tea and beverages, cannabidiol blends, and RTD matcha beverages.
• DanonWave-owned Brand Stok launched a new range of cold brew beverages, including Stok Yerba Mate Cold Brew Teas, which are ready-to-drink bottled tea ranges.
• Arcadia Beverage launched Zumora, a new clean-label beverage line, including bottled tea.

These insights are based on a report on Bottled Tea Market by Fact.MR.

Arla Foods Ingredients will serve up innovative concepts for high-protein ready-to-drink (RTD) tea and coffee at Vitafoods Europe (May 9th to 11th).

The market for functional RTD teas and coffees is predicted to grow 6 – 7 % by 2026,^* creating opportunities for both sports nutrition manufacturers and mainstream health brands. To support them, Arla Foods Ingredients has created two inspirational new RTD concepts:

• A cold brew coffee that works as either a morning caffeine boost or a pre-workout energiser. High in protein, calcium and caffeine, but low in sugar and fat, it will appeal to the 58 % of consumers who choose functional food and beverages that increase their energy levels.^*
• A refreshing RTD tea, designed as the perfect mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Flavoured with yuzu and high in protein and calcium, it’s tea but with an invigorating new twist, and is ideal for the 57 % of consumers who choose products that support strong and healthy bones.^*

Both concepts owe their high protein and calcium content to Lacprodan MicelPure^®, a micellar casein isolate produced using gentle membrane filtration technology. As well as allowing on-pack nutrition claims, its benefits include a mild milky taste and low viscosity throughout a product’s shelf life. During production, Lacprodan MicelPure^® offers outstanding heat stability, unlocking a range of processing, packaging and flavour options.

Troels Nørgaard Laursen, Director for Health & Performance at Arla Foods Ingredients, said: “Consumers are increasingly seeking out beverages that are novel and convenient and also offer a nutritional boost. RTD teas and coffees with functional benefits are riding a major wave right now, and these concepts demonstrate how they can deliver an on-trend combination of protein, calcium and caffeine.”

Arla Foods Ingredients will exhibit at Vitafoods Europe on Stand G30. Other concepts on show will include a multi-textured bar with protein in every layer, a special edition of which has been created for Vitafoods, and Rehydrate & Restore – a clear refreshing RTD beverage solution which combines protein with electrolytes.

^*Innova Market Insights

Lipton Ice Tea, the number one ready-to-drink tea brand¹, is relaunching its range in a modernised design with a packaging makeover for all flavours. The packaging refresh is also accompanied by a reduction in sugar across the core range of Peach, Lemon, and Green Mint & Lime. The reduction will help the brand continue to appeal to the growing number of shoppers on the lookout for lower sugar options without any compromise on taste.

Half of shoppers say they are actively reducing the amount of sugar they consume², which makes it the perfect time for Lipton’s relaunch. The new and improved drinks will maintain Lipton’s refreshing fruity taste and offer shoppers a lower sugar alternative, without compromising on great flavour.

As the leading brand in ready-to-drink tea³, Lipton Ice Tea’s value grew + 27 % in 2022⁴ with further opportunities to grow as it taps into the 50 % of shoppers who choose food and drink products with reduced or no sugar content⁵. As a soft drinks segment, ready-to-drink tea represents a trade up opportunity for retailers, holding a price point of £2.43 per litre on average, versus the wider soft drinks’ £1.34 per litre⁶. This represents a premium option for consumers, and allows retailers to offer a full range of soft drinks which caters to multiple tastes and wallets.

The relaunched range will roll out across all channels from March 2023.

The new Lipton Ice Tea recipes are the latest lower sugar offering from Britvic, with continued innovation and reformulation programmes enabling the company to offer consumers healthier choices as part of ist Healthier People sustainability strategy. In 2022, this meant 96 % of its innovation launches were low or no calorie drinks – with an average of around 14 calories per serve across its Great Britain portfolio.

¹NielsenIQ RMS, Total Coverage GB, Ready-To-Drink Ice Tea value sales, Britvic Defined 5Y, 31st Dec 2022
²Mintel – Attitudes towards Sugar and Sweeteners – UK – 2021
³NielsenIQ RMS, Total Coverage GB, Ready-To-Drink Ice Tea value sales, Britvic Defined 5Y, 31st Dec 2022
⁴NielsenIQ RMS, Total Coverage, RTD Ice Tea value sales, Britvic Defined, MAT we 31.12.2022
⁵Mintel – Attitudes towards Sugar and Sweeteners – UK – 2021
⁶NielsenIQ RMS – Total Coverage, Total Soft Drinks Britvic Defined, Average Price Point MAT we 31.12.2022

Over the past decades, bubble tea or “Boba” has become a global sensation for consumers of all ages, backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, and genders. The sweet Taiwanese treat has created a buzz so large that customers are willing to wait in lines for hours on end just to get their hands on their favourite flavours. However, one company stands out among the rest for making authentic Taiwanese boba accessible anytime, anywhere, and not just in overpriced specialty tea shops.

Orbitel International has long been regarded as one of the original pioneers in creating the viral trend surrounding boba – and now they’re gearing up to launch a brand new product line. Under its exclusive O’s Bubble Tea Brand, Orbitel International is proud to unveil a new line of Jelly Popping Boba guaranteed to send any boba lover’s tastebuds popping with just one sip.

Available in two sizes, 240 ml & 480 ml, O’s Bubble Tea’s New Jelly Popping Boba with Aloe Vera comes in three unique flavours:

• Lychee Oolong Tea with Popping Boba and Aloe Vera
• Strawberry Peach Oolong Tea with Popping Boba and Aloe Vera
• Melon Lemonade with Popping Boba and Aloe Vera

Each of the Jelly Popping Boba flavours have been strategically created to exude an unparalleled burst of flavour unlike anything else on the market. The Jelly Popping Boba is infused with real fruit juice and contains aloe vera, which combines the perfect contrast of flavour and texture, taking consumers on a rollercoaster of sensations. With each sip, crunch and burst of real fruit flavour, the O’s Bubble Teas’ new line of Jelly Popping Boba are packed with the exclusive patent pending BOBA CRAFT, giving all the summer vibes in a can to make any occasion pop!

“O’s Bubble wants to create a whole new boba drink like never before, for you to pop open whenever the mood strike”

Through proof of concept, dedication to the craft, and unwavering commitment to community, Orbitel International’s purpose-driven vision has come to fruition with the launch of the new line of Jelly Popping Boba.

Orbitel International will be debuting the Jelly Popping Boba at the Natural Products Expo West (NPEW) 2023 from March 7-11th in Anaheim, California, USA. Throughout the conference, a free tastings will be provided to guests, samples will be given away, and business opportunities and conversations will be welcomed.

Despite the brewing geopolitical, economic, and health crises, China’s hot drinks sales are set to increase, as consumers trade up to higher-quality products. The introduction of innovative and customised tea, coffee, and plant-based hot drinks is bolstering the market growth. As a result, the China’s hot drinks market is set to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1 % from CNY 231.4 billion (USD 36.2 billion) in 2021 to CNY 311 billion (USD 48.6 billion) in 2026, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s report, ‘Chinese Hot Drinks – Market Assessment and Forecasts to 2026’, reveals that while tea remains the mainstay, the coffee culture is growing owing to the evolving lifestyles and preferences of urban consumers. The market growth will be primarily driven by the hot coffee category, which is set to register the fastest value CAGR of 6.5 % during 2021-2026. The category will be followed by other hot drinks and hot tea with a CAGR of 6.2 % and 6.0 %, respectively, over the forecast period.

Naveed Khan, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, says: “The stringent COVID-19 lockdowns in Beijing, Shanghai and in the Hainan province have undermined the on-premise sales of hot drinks. However, consumers are treating themselves to higher quality tea and coffee at home. The growing demand for the new consumption experiences among the urban youth, and the introduction of new brew styles and flavours by international and homegrown companies are powering the growth of the hot coffee category in China.

“Hot tea, the largest category by value sales, continues to expand as new Chinese-style teas, such as yellow tea and scented tea, are gaining traction. The health concerns due to the pandemic are spurring the demand for herbal drinks that are perceived to improve immunity and overall health and wellness.”

According to the report, ‘convenience stores’ was the leading distribution channel in the Chinese hot drinks market in 2021, followed by hypermarkets & supermarkets, and e-retailers. Nestlé, China Tea, and Zhejiang Xiangpiaopiao were the top three companies in the fragmented Chinese hot drinks sector in value terms in 2021, and Nescafe and U.Loveit were the leading brands.

The per capita expenditure (PCE) on hot drinks in China increased from USD 6.5 in 2016 to USD 12.7 in 2021, surpassing the regional average at USD 11.1, but lagging the global level at USD 17.0. China’s PCE on hot drinks will surge to USD 17 in 2026.

Khan concludes: “Multinational and local companies are launching new products with innovative marketing strategies to develop new consumption occasions and expand their base. They are targeting young consumers, who are eager to experiment with innovative brew styles and flavours. However, the strict pandemic control measures, economic slowdown, and political standoff over Taiwan may slowdown the hot drinks sector’s growth momentum in the intermediate term.”

HONEST Kids to remain in company’s portfolio, with HONEST teas product line to be phased out

The Coca-Cola Company is challenging itself to think differently about how its brands help accelerate business transformation, reflect consumer choice and promote growth as a company. This means rationalising its lineup of drinks and prioritising fewer, bigger brands with the greatest potential for scale and profitable growth.

While the HONEST Kids portfolio is quickly growing and will remain a successful part of the business, the HONEST teas product line will be phased out of The Coca-Cola Company’s beverage portfolio at the end of 2022.

Gold Peak, a national brand, and the regional Peace Tea offering will now anchor the company’s ready-to-drink tea (RTD) strategy in North America.

“Shifting from a three-brand tea portfolio to a prioritised two-brand tea lineup will free up investment resources and supply chain capacity to better meet consumer needs and capture share in the category,” said Sabrina Tandon, group director, RTD Tea, Coca-Cola North America Operating Unit. “We believe Gold Peak and Peace Tea are best positioned to meet consumer preferences for high-quality brewed teas with different levels of sweetness and flavour.”

The Coca-Cola system will continue to produce and distribute the HONEST Kids line of organic juice drinks and explore licensing ventures and innovation opportunities for the HONEST brand in other categories. “We are phasing out the HONEST teas product line, but are not selling the HONEST brand,” Tandon clarified.

Gold Peak launched in 2006 and became a billion-dollar brand in 2015. The brand transitioned to a real-brewed formula in 2018, appealing to “tea truists” who value tea-forward taste profiles and high-quality ingredients.

Peace Tea has built a loyal, Gen Z following in the Midwest, Northeast and Southeast with fruit-forward flavours offered in colourful, 23-oz. cans and a fun, free-spirited personality.

Mainstream brands like Gold Peak and Peace Tea are driving growth of the RTD tea category. Sales of both Gold Peak and Peace Tea have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic as shoppers gravitate both to beverages with immune-boosting properties and multi-serve packaging options for at-home consumption. HONEST teas, which are primarily offered in single-serve bottles with a strong concentration in the Northeast and along the West Coast, have been negatively impacted by a drop in immediate consumption sales and limited glass supplies.

“Ongoing supply chain challenges mean we are having to prioritise production and distribution of certain product SKUs, and that we’ve been unable to meet consumer demand for Gold Peak,” Tandon added. “This, among other factors, helped drive this very difficult decision.”

Tandon also cited some overlap among Gold Peak and HONEST tea consumers, adding, “We see endless runway with Gold Peak and are excited to expand the trademark with new product and packaging innovations that will appeal to the HONEST Tea consumer.”

The HONEST brand was founded in 1998 by Seth Goldman and Barry Nalebuff. In 2008, The Coca-Cola Company took a 40 % investment stake in HONEST before fully acquiring the brand in 2011.

Tandon credits HONEST tea with helping the company create a new route to market into the natural foods channel, where brands like Simply, Topo Chico, vitaminwater and smartwater remain.

Firmenich, one of the world’s largest privately-owned fragrance and taste companies, and Finlays, a leading supplier of tea, coffee and botanical solutions, have entered an agreement giving Firmenich full sales rights to Finlays’ European tea and coffee extracts portfolio in Europe, effective immediately.

As a part of this new agreement, Firmenich will focus on commercializing two core parts of Finlays’ extracts business in Europe: its world-leading Cold Brew Coffee portfolio and its Tea Extract portfolio. The Cold Brew Coffee portfolio serves a rapidly growing segment within the European region, and is crafted using a proprietary process which delivers a distinctly smooth, rich flavor experience. Finlays’ Tea Extract portfolio includes The Wellbeing Collection, a range of premium, all-natural tea extracts which are rich in bioactive compounds associated with various health benefits. These extracts are sustainably sourced from Finlays’ own tea farms, with on-site extraction facilities that enable tea leaves to be harvested and extracted on the same day, thereby preserving their fresh flavor and natural bioactive composition.

Under the new agreement, Firmenich is responsible for the full sales process, from commercial relationship to brief management, supported by the Finlays team. The partnership focuses exclusively on Finlays’ ranges of tea and coffee extracts, and covers European markets only.

Organic cold brew sparkling teas crafted in partnership with James Beard Foundation

Enroot launched its much-anticipated line of small-batch, slowly cold brewed, organic sparkling teas. The new beverages, consisting of five unique blends, pay homage to co-founder Cristina Patwa’s grandmother and her legacy as a farmer and food entrepreneur in the Philippines. Birthed in partnership with the James Beard Foundation, Enroot beverages are sustainably sourced and flavourfully combine organic teas, fruits and herbals to create a smooth, delicious tasting experience.

As the NEXTY award winner in Best New Organic Beverage, the sparkling wellness brews are thoughtfully crafted with chefs involved in the James Beard Foundation’s Impact programs. The botanically packed blends use only organic teas, herbs, fruits and spices, and a 20-hour cold brew method that honors the rituals of brewing to deliver perfectly extracted flavours and wellness attributes. At only 25 calories per bottle – with no added sugar, sweetener or “flavours” – the lineup also offers a variety of clean caffeine options, from caffeine-free to ~ ½ espresso.

The Enroot collection of sparkling teas will be available at drinkenroot.com and at select grocers beginning in Southern California, USA. Flavour profiles launching are:

• Relax: Strawberry Lavender Rosemary Tulsi
• Reenergize: Mango Turmeric Ginger Guyausa
• Revitalize: Raspberry Mint White Peony Tea
• Rejuvenate: Peach Hibiscus Jasmine Green Tea
• Revive: Apple Lemon Cayenne Yerba Mate

“This has been a three-year labour of love from leaf to bottle with a caring community of award-winning, pioneering chefs and skillful engineers, who developed our distinct brewing and batching method,” said Enroot CEO Cristina Patwa. “The results are delightful, and we are grateful to be on this journey with friends who share similar values.”

The female-led small business was founded by three friends, Cristina Patwa, John Fogelman and Brad Pitt, based on their shared passion for Food, Family and Farms, and a desire to help make a change in the food industry. As a public benefit corporation and pending certified B Corp, Enroot is a Sustaining Partner and proudly gives back to the James Beard Foundation’s Women’s Leadership Programs, which strives to address the lack of diversity and parity in the food and beverage industry.

“As admirers of the Foundation’s advocacy work, we collectively wanted to create a brand that is rooted in good flavour and intent – particularly by having a strong connection to our health, the earth and each other now more than ever,” said Pitt.

“We are proud of our partnership with Enroot, and our shared values of advancing women and creating a world that is more delicious, diverse and sustainable,” said Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation. “We remain committed to providing women with the tools they need to create the life they want and build back stronger than ever before.”

Based and brewed in California, Enroot is the first start-up in food and beverage to create a comprehensive responsible sourcing policy with SCS Global Services, the trusted leader in third-party sustainability and food quality certification. Using plastic-free packaging, the company partners with its suppliers to carefully source quality organic ingredients and help reduce its carbon footprint.

About the James Beard Foundation
The James Beard Foundation promotes Good Food For Good^™. For more than 30 years, the James Beard Foundation has highlighted the centrality of food culture in our daily lives. Through the variety of industry programs that educate and empower leaders in our community, the Foundation has asserted the power of food to drive behavior, culture, and policy change. The organization is committed to giving chefs a voice and the tools they need to make the world more sustainable, equitable, and delicious for everyone. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the James Beard Foundation launched the Open for Good campaign to ensure that independent restaurants not only survive, but that the industry is able to rebuild stronger than before.

Leading coconut water brand Vita Coco is debuting a new line of functional coconut water with MCT next spring.

Vita Coco Boosted blends coconut water, coconut cream, coconut MCT oil, B vitamins and tea extract to give consumers a new, modern way to get their fix of all-day energy, without the jitters or crash. The new product will be available in three, delicious cafe flavors – Vanilla Latte, Coconut Chocolate and Chai – with 40 milligrams of caffeine and less than 5g of sugar per drink. Unlike other MCT drinks on the market,Vita Coco Boosted has no added sugar or added sweeteners.

As consumers continue to seek out holistic ways to increase their energy and focus, Vita Coco is leveraging energy-boosting coconut MCT oil to create a coconut water beverage that meets consumers’ needs.

“We’re always looking to find new innovative ways to leverage the goodness of coconuts to provide consumers with relevant products. We all need more energy and focus now more than ever, and the launch of Boosted could not be better timed,” said Michael Kirban, co-founder and CEO of Vita Coco. “MCT as a functional ingredient is growing rapidly, and our unique combination of coconut water with coconut MCT oil offers consumers an accessible, versatile product that can be enjoyed as a sidekick to your coffee, an addition to your smoothie or any time you need a pick-me-up.”

Vita Coco Boosted will launch regionally and will be available for $3.29 for a16.9-oz TetraPak in select retail stores and on Amazon in March 2021.

Introduces Má CBD+ natural botanicals functional iced teas exclusively in over 500 The Vitamin Shoppe stores

Sh’nnong Beverage Company is launching new Má Functional Iced Teas with CBD+ natural botanicals with a national roll-out to over 500 The Vitamin Shoppe stores in the USA. Má ready-to-drink teas might be new to The Vitamin Shoppe customers but their roots date back to 2737 BC when Emperor Shennong of China discovered tea and combined it with organic hemp and botanicals to make his original Má brews.  Sh’nnong Beverage Company’s next-generation plant-based beverages start with the finest Green, Oolong or Bai Mudan Teas blended with CBD+ natural botanicals to detox, focus or relax.

Jill Beraud, CEO and Co-founder of Sh’nnong Beverages Company, is no stranger to the iced tea beverage category, having previously served as President of Starbucks & Lipton Joint Ventures at PepsiCo, where she oversaw the largest global tea portfolio and the reinvention of Pure Leaf Teas.

“When my business partner Charlie Herbstreith and I originally discussed this idea, it reminded me of my time at PepsiCo when kombucha and coconut water were just emerging.  However, given the far-reaching benefits of CBD, this is a much bigger white space,” stated Beraud. “The Vitamin Shoppe is the perfect launch partner for us.  They are establishing themselves as CBD Central across multiple categories and have tremendous in-store expertise in health, wellness and nutrition.”

Sh’nnong Beverage Company is raising the bar with next generation, plant-based beverages by infusing each Má Iced Tea with CBD+ natural botanicals. CBD+ not only harnesses the functional benefits of zero-THC Hemp CBD but elevates those benefits by combining it with nearly 20 different herbs and spices inspired by the original Má brews of Emperor Shennong.  Shennong used his brews to treat a variety of conditions and later became known as the Father of Chinese Herbal Medicine.

All Má Functional Iced Teas with CBD+ Natural Botanicals ($4.99) are naturally sweetened, contain no sugar and are less than 10 calories.  Available exclusively at The Vitamin Shoppe, Má Iced Teas are carefully curated into three distinct blends including:

• FOCUS:  Oolong Peach Spark will help you feel more focused with CBD + brain-stimulating adaptogens of ginkgo biloba, gotu kola and Rhodiola Rosea.  With 40mg of natural caffeine added, it is just the right spark you need to help promote cognitive brain activity.
• RELAX:  Lavender Berry Chill features blueberry-infused, caffeine-free Bai Mudan Tea blended with CBD, chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, elderflower and passionflower to impart calm and help reduce stress and anxiety.
• DETOX:  Emperor Spice Cleanse is a caffeine-free, detoxifying brew to help you purify the mind, body and soul with CBD + Green Tea, lemon, chamomile, schisandra berry and dandelion root to help remove toxins from the body.

Sh’nnong Beverage Company was founded to develop plant-based, functional beverages leveraging CBD + natural botanicals inspired by Emperor Shennong.  The company was founded by Jill Beraud and Charlie Herbstreith, executives with over 25 years of business and marketing expertise.

About the Vitamin Shoppe, Inc.:

The Vitamin Shoppe® is an omni-channel specialty retailer and wellness lifestyle Company with the mission of providing customers with the most trusted products, guidance, and services to help them become their best selves, however they define it. Based in Secaucus, New Jersey, the Company offers a comprehensive assortment of nutritional solutions, including vitamins, minerals, specialty supplements, herbs, sports nutrition, homeopathic remedies, green living products, and natural beauty aids.

Kreider Farms, Central Pennsylvania’s (US) favorite producer of farm fresh milk, ice cream, premium eggs and more, announced the launch of their new line of unique hemp iced tea drinks – Chiques Creek Hemp Tea.

These specialty beverage products are available in select regional retail outlets and online at the brand new ChiquesCreek.com website, designed by EZMarketing of Lancaster. The three currently available flavors—all made from a blend of hemp seed oil and natural flavoring with no artificial sweeteners—are:

• The Original Recipe – showcases the earthy flavor of hemp
• Passionfruit + Mint – a refreshing tropical blend
• Peach + Lemon + Dandelion – a complex blend of earthy, fruity and tastefully bitter notes

Chiques Creek Hemp Tea does not contain CBD or THC, as the FDA has not approved these additives for food and beverage use yet. As regulations change, Kreider Farms may explore recipe alterations in the future.

“Since the recent passing of the Farm Bill, we are excited to see hemp being reintroduced to agriculture,” said Khalee Kreider, Marketing/Social Media Specialist at Kreider Farms. “With its rich history in Lancaster County and our proximity to East Hempfield Township and the Chiques Creek waterway, we thought this was the perfect opportunity to launch a cutting edge product consumers can get excited about.”

Lancaster County – home of Kreider Farms – has a long history of successful hemp production, and the Chiques Creek brand pays homage to the burgeoning revival of this culturally important farming tradition. ChiquesCreek.com features an educational Hemp Q&A page that shares how the hemp plant shaped Pennsylvania.

Named for the refreshing creek that flows through Kreider Farms’ company headquarters, Chiques Creek is more than a delicious tea—it’s a celebration of Lancaster County heritage.

Starbucks newest, colorful beverages – Teavana^™ Flavored Tea Lemonades and Flavored Iced Teas – are a perfect way to refresh during hot summer days. Three delicious flavors are available year-round:

Teavana Peach Green Tea Lemonade: This boldly flavored and refreshing iced tea starts with Teavana Green Iced Tea and is now made with a combination of Starbucks peach-flavored fruit juice blend and lemonade, then sweetened with liquid cane sugar and hand-shaken with ice.

Teavana Guava White Tea Lemonade: This boldly flavored and refreshing iced tea starts with Teavana White Iced Tea and is now made with a combination of Starbucks guava-flavored fruit juice blend and lemonade, then sweetened with liquid cane sugar and hand-shaken with ice.

Teavana Blueberry Black Tea Lemonade: This boldly flavored and refreshing iced tea starts with Teavana Black Iced Tea and is now made with a combination of Starbucks blueberry-flavored fruit juice blend and lemonade, then sweetened with liquid cane sugar and hand-shaken with ice.

As with all Starbucks beverages, Teavana Flavored Iced Tea Lemonades are customizable! A few barista favorites include:

• Try it without the lemonade and make it a Teavana Flavored Iced Tea
• Mix-and-match any fruit juice blend with any iced tea base to create your own flavor experience
• Adjust the sweetness by adding or removing the liquid cane sugar

Combined product portfolio and manufacturing capabilities create unique botanical platform in North America

The Martin Bauer Group is excited to announce the acquisition of BI Nutraceuticals, a leading full-service manufacturer and supplier of plant-based ingredients in the United States. The acquisition creates an extensive portfolio of botanical ingredients and a versatile manufacturing hub servicing the U.S. Tea, Beverage, Food and Dietary Supplements industries.

The investment in BI Nutraceuticals will build on Martin Bauer Group’s local capabilities including R&D, formulations and manufacturing, in support of the Group’s strategy to foster accelerated growth in North America. A distinction of Martin Bauer Group’s portfolio is the responsible and vastly diversified sourcing of raw materials, with quality standards and controls in place starting at source and continuing throughout the procurement and manufacturing processes. “The addition of BI Nutraceuticals to our Group buttresses our commitment to reliable, quality, safe and clean label raw materials, meeting an increasing demand from our customers and consumers,” stated Ennio Ranaboldo, CEO of Martin Bauer Group in North America. The two companies will continue to operate independently, and further communications will be issued to ensure seamless integration both internally and for all customers.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the nature network® and the Martin Bauer Group,” said George Pontiakos, President and CEO of BI Nutraceuticals. “This represents a significant move forward for us and our combined customer base. The Martin Bauer Group is a family-owned international company with a long history as a manufacturer and supplier of teas, extracts and botanical products going back more than 135 years. BI Nutraceuticals will now have access to the global resources of the Martin Bauer Group in the areas of raw materials sourcing, processing technology, liquid extract production and research and development. As part of the Martin Bauer Group, we become a true single source solution provider. Our customers can be even more confident in our long-standing commitment to safety, quality, service and innovation.”

US sales of cannabis-based drinks jumped to EUR 86 million in 2018, according to the new 2019 US CBD Drinks Report from food and drink experts Zenith Global and US industry newsletter Beverage Digest. The market is expected to rapidly achieve mass market appeal, surging to over USD 1.4 billion in 2023, even with some regulatory restrictions remaining.

“Key growth drivers for CBD drinks include loosening regulatory implementation, investment by major brewers and innovation by numerous start-ups,” commented Zenith Global Chairman Richard Hall. “This has led to far greater awareness and availability.”

“A cultural shift in consumption also contributes. Consumers increasingly look for natural products with health benefits and are reducing their alcohol intake,” added Beverage Digest Executive Editor Duane Stanford. “CBD drinks are positioned as a potential aid for conditions from anxiety to muscle pain.”

The United States, in particular, has been a hot spot for CBD drink innovation. The category received a potential boost in December with passage of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which removed hemp from Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act.

Cannabis has two main active constituents – CBD and THC. THC is the element that gives an emotional high and has not been licensed for consumer products. CBD, which is an abbreviation of cannabidiol, has some reported benefits and is in the process of gaining the necessary approvals for consumer products.

The quantity of CBD in beverages varies from 2 mg to 100 mg per litre. The 2019 US CBD Drinks Report profiles more than 20 brands which span numerous segments such as soda, tea, cold brew coffee, shots, energy drinks, water (still, sparkling and flavored) and beer.

This report also assesses opportunities for other CBD products, international prospects and developments in US legislation.

Shou Quan Zhai (SQZ), founded in 1760 and one of the oldest food companies in China, is expanding into the beverage market with a new line of ready-to-drink products. The ginger tea and plum juice drinks are the first non-dairy beverages in China available in lightweight flexible packages from Ecolean.

The drinks will be available in the 200 ml Ecolean^® Air Aseptic packages on February 20, on SQZ’s online store, e-commerce channels and at retail locations across China. The products are part of a larger traditional Chinese beverage line that will include more products in the future. SQZ is developing, manufacturing and selling herbal beverages to create a healthy lifestyle and is a bestseller of ginger tea products in China.

According to SQZ, the company is engaged in environmental issues and has a long-term view of its work in the sustainability field. The company is committed to keep refining its technology to provide the best experience for the consumers as well as for the environment. SQZ chose Ecolean for its unique package characteristics and low impact on the environment. Ecolean packages are lightweight, almost half in weight compared to many traditional packaging formats, and contain up to 35 % chalk. Using fewer raw materials from the start saves energy during production, transport and waste handling. The packages can also be completely flattened, minimizing food waste and using less space in the waste bin.

In addition, the packages can be used in the microwave — a main benefit to SQZ since ginger tea is typically served warm. The packages are also easy to open and pour and stand upright.

“With a 259-year history, SQZ proudly respects the environment for generations now and in the future,” said Lin Lei, Director, Public Relations and Government Affairs for SQZ. “Ecolean’s advanced packaging technology from Sweden has a minimum impact on the environment, is easy to recognize on the store shelf and is convenient for consumers to use.”

Just as Ecolean is committed to producing lighter, flexible packaging, its filling equipment is also light and compact using minimal resources. Ready-to-fill packages are sterilized using electron beam treatment, hermetically sealed and distributed on reels from Ecolean plants, bringing a considerable part of the complex sterilization process from the liquid food producer back to Ecolean. SQZ chose the Ecolean aseptic filling machine EL4+ for its operations. As for all Ecolean filling machines, it follows the philosophy of keeping it simple, providing a reliable, economical and lean operation. It is easily operated and maintained by SQZ’s personnel.

“The new ready-to-drink beverages from SQZ represent the first non-dairy beverages in Ecolean packages in the Chinese market,” said Johnny Sajland, Regional Director, Asia North and Oceania, Ecolean. “We are excited to work with SQZ to bring new innovation and products to the more than 1.4 billion population in China, both now and in the future.”

To deliver new beverage options to consumers seeking healthier alternatives, Danone Waters Brazil has partnered with Crown Holdings, Inc. to launch its newest brand, 4U by Danone. Debuting in the Brazil market in November, the 4U line features two carbonated juices and two flavored teas, all made with 100 % natural ingredients. Two different sizes of sleek style cans from Crown, along with special ink finishes and colorful imagery, offer vibrant, eye-catching package designs that reflect the healthy, fresh blends of the 4U beverages.

With an uptick in global awareness for health, wellness and sustainability, the beverage market has seen a growing consumer preference for alternative, more natural options. The 4U brand helps Danone address this burgeoning market within Brazil and diversify its portfolio, which includes dairy products and water, and reach new consumers.

The launch of the 4U line brings four new flavorful beverage options to the market. Danone’s carbonated juice, developed under the sub-brand True 4U, is available in White Grape and Citrus and packed in 269 ml (9.1 ounce) sleek style beverage cans. The sub-brand Tea 4U features two flavors, Black Tea – Hibiscus and Berry and Lemon Grass and Citrus, and is available in 310 ml (10.5 ounce) sleek style cans. All four beverages are completely natural, containing no preservatives or artificial coloring.

Danone chose the beverage can for its durability, recyclability and decorative options. The format’s premium appeal, portability and increasing popularity in the Brazilian market were also important factors. Danone collaborated with Crown due to the Company’s reputation for sustainable products and practices and its close relationships with partners.

“Placing Danone on the forefront of Brazil’s growing natural beverage market required a strategic packaging partner that could accurately capture the new 4U brand and help us make our mark in this product sector,” said Rafael Ribeiro, Head of Marketing and Sales at Danone. “Collaborating with Crown allowed us to venture into uncharted territory and bring an exciting, fresh product line to our customers with the confidence that our brand would be represented in a high-quality, sustainable format.”

For added shelf appeal, Crown used two distinct sizes of its sleek style cans. Part of the Company’s diverse product portfolio, the sleek style cans bring a level of exclusivity to the brand and provide greater differentiation between the carbonated juice and tea varieties. The cans’ graphics feature bright colors to convey the bold flavors and fresh ingredients of the natural beverages. An all-over matte finish has been applied to the Tea 4U cans, creating a tactile experience for consumers.

“It is always an honor to help our customers bring a new concept to market, and we were thrilled to support Danone with the launch of the 4U line,” said Altair Frulane, Commercial Director at Crown Embalagens Metálicas da Amazônia S/A, a subsidiary of Crown. “Our collaboration with Danone involved careful ideation and planning that resulted in a striking product that is true to the brand’s messaging and goals. It is this type of project that allows our expertise and creativity, both regionally and globally, to shine.”

A brand new beverage of tea, honey and botanicals is being pioneered in Wales

Cardiff University is joining forces with Welsh Brew Tea and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board to combine honey with the health promoting properties of tea.

An iconic Welsh brand established for over 30 years, Swansea-based Welsh Brew Tea has created a unique blend of African and Indian teas specifically blended to complement Welsh water, and a range of speciality teas and infusions.

“We are delighted to be teaming up with Professor Les Baillie and his @pharmabees team at Cardiff University to develop an entirely new premium beverage that will enhance our range of high-quality teas,” said the company’s managing director and founder, Alan Wenden.

“Innovation in tea production, and the search for new ideas and tastes, led us to found the company twenty years ago, and is still its driving force today. The project is a nice example of the university working with Welsh industry to develop a product based on the natural bounty of Wales, supporting the wellbeing of the people of Wales.”

The bees work for Cardiff University’s award-winning @pharmabees project, which aims to develop a Manuka-style honey to treat antibiotic resistant hospital pathogens.

Professor Les Baillie, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, said: “After water, tea is the most commonly consumed beverage in the world. In addition to making us feel good, tea is thought to help reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and diabetes. In laboratory studies, tea has revealed its ability to kill hospital superbugs such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile.

“Imagine the further benefits which could be obtained by combining tea with natural honey and medicinal plants. Honey has been used for thousands of years to treat a range of conditions, including the common cold”.

“Our partnership with Welsh Brew Tea is all part of our work to develop honey with similar bug-killing powers to that of New Zealand’s Manuka honey and its antibacterial properties, which are due to natural compounds donated by the plants on which the bees fed to make the honey.”

Robyn Davies, Head of Innovation at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said: “We are delighted to add this project to our portfolio of innovations that support both the health and wealth of Wales.”

The Welsh Brew project is supported by the South East Wales Academic Health Science Partnership and a Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarship (KESS 2), funded by European Social Funds (ESF) through Welsh Government with the aim of linking companies with academic expertise to develop new products.

It follows the successful launch of honey beer in 2017 when Cardiff teamed up with Bridgend’s BangOn Brewery.