Powdered beverage products have become increasingly popular in recent years, driven by a growing interest in health and wellness. As a result, the Nellson team has seen a surge in demand for a variety of powdered beverages that offer a range of functional benefits—from energy-boosting to mood-enhancing. Now is your chance to catch up on the latest trends in powdered beverage mixes including flavors, features, formulations and more.

TRENDS START WITH THE CONSUMER

Today’s consumers want functional beverages that cater to their unique wellness needs. They are looking for powdered beverage options that offer a variety of functional benefits, including: boosting energy levels, enhancing cognitive function, improving immunity and supporting weight management efforts. What’s more, they also want to enjoy sensorial experiences and are therefore looking for products that offer visual, textural and flavor elements that elevate the typical beverage experience beyond the everyday.

Additionally, sustainability has increasingly become an important factor in the decision-making process of consumers. Many brands have taken steps to show their support for sustainable practices, such as choosing recyclable and compostable materials for their packaging, minimizing or eliminating the use of plastics, and sourcing ingredients from suppliers who do the same. By partnering with suppliers who practice responsible sourcing, Nellson ensures that our entire supply chain adheres to responsible practices, minimizing the environmental impact throughout the production process.

Nellson actively showcases and advocates for environmental and social responsibility practices throughout our supply chain. Our commitment to sustainability, ethical sourcing, community engagement and other initiatives, makes a positive impact on our customers and theirs.

GET A TASTE OF THE LATEST

The world of flavors is constantly evolving, and while some classic favorites like milk chocolate and vanilla remain popular, there are also new and exciting flavors gaining traction in the market.

Think of a mix of nostalgic flavor profiles and mood-enhancing flavors like¹:

• Cotton candy
• Bubble gum
• Passion fruit
• Chamomile

According to Lisa Unlu, R&D Director Powder Division, “The experiential beverage goes beyond the first sip. We’re seeing drinks featuring new textures and bursting with exciting flavors like boba and bubble teas, loaded with chewy tapioca pearls, and overnight oat drinks, full of oats and fruit pieces—all offering unique drinking experiences. Brands don’t just want products that tastes like birthday cake or brownie batter. They also want the mouthfeel and visual elements that trigger excitement."

Nellson helps brands create the exciting new flavors and multi-sensory experiences that interest and engage consumers. Utilizing our expertise in powdered formulation, our team of R&D scientists and technicians carefully select the ingredients to achieve exciting new taste profiles and texture sensations, while also meeting our customers’ functional and nutritional goals.

HELP CONSUMERS SAVOR THE MOMENT

Consumers are hungry for new eating and drinking experiences. Here are a few top flavor trends in 2023 so far²:

• The most popular include blends of berries, summer fruits, orchard fruits, tropical fruits, dried fruits, nuts, vegetables and herbs
• Botanical flavors are perceived as being healthy
• Consumers love the nostalgic flavors: Whoopie pie, butter pecan, peanut butter & jelly, to name a few

As the health-conscious trend continues, the functional foods market is expected to expand further, with a focus on both healthy and nostalgic flavor profiles, especially in sports nutrition.

SNEAK PEAK INTO THE FUTURE OF FLAVORS AND PROFILES

Upcoming trends are all about heightened appeal and sensory experiences. From novel texture to vibrant colors, consumers eagerly anticipate new innovations that create an amplified experience, offering sensory excitement and enhancement that turns food into entertainment.

Each inclusion offers a unique flavor experience and profile³:

• Nuts - popular due to their crunchiness, creaminess and health positioning as a natural plant source of protein

• Chocolate - remains a staple for its decadent mouthfeel and balanced taste

• Nostalgic cookie bits – circus cookie, pink & white animal cookie or cookies & milk, replicate the taste of popular snacks and treats

• Fruit - offers vibrant colors and unique textures

• Grains - quinoa and ancient grains

• Mushrooms and ashwagandha - used to increase oxytocin and promote good mood, respectively

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF PROTEIN

Better Taste

The future of proteins for powdered beverages is promising, with the industry focused on producing high-quality, better tasting proteins that:

• easily disperse in liquid
• provide a pleasant texture & mouthfeel
• have a neutral taste, allowing for exciting new flavor options

The technologies around advances in better tasting proteins should include non-animal whey and plant proteins.

Popularity of Post-Workout Recovery = Opportunity

Protein drinks for post-workout recovery are becoming increasingly popular among fitness enthusiasts and athletes, presenting a range of new market opportunities. Nellson experts are inspired by this new focus in the industry.

As always, we look forward to creating unique products that offer stand-out flavor and deliver the functional benefits consumers will be looking for next.

TO TRENDING AND BEYOND

The powdered beverage industry is constantly evolving to meet consumer demand for personalized health and wellness solutions. As a full-service provider of the highest quality

nutritional bar & functional powder solutions, Nellson continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in the world of powdered beverage mixes, ensuring that our customers stay ahead of the curve.

Move ahead in the nutrition space and get in touch with our team.

^Sources:

^{1. Innova Market Insights, Sports Powder Report, October 2022}

^{2. Innova Market Insights, Trends in Functional Flavors, February 2023}

^{3. Innova Market Insights, Inclusions Heighten Appeal, 2022}