Italian ingredients supplier Agrumaria Reggina is set to inaugurate its first R&D center in Northern Italy, in the Lombardy Region. The “Taste Innovation Center” will focus primarily on developing new products for the beverage industry, with forecasts to grow the company’s juice range and new beverages supporting immunity. 

The new operation will host advanced machinery to develop prototypes in the beverage field, including soft drinks, nectars, juice-based beverages, iced tea, spirits and alcohol, as well as aromatic and enhanced waters. 

The TIC will also support formulation strategies in the food space, including baked goods, patisserie, ice creams and spices.

“We will grow and extend our juice range, enlarging our portfolio of natural citrus flavors,” Felice Chirico, sales and marketing director at Agrumaria Reggina, tells FoodIngredientsFirst. 

“We will also be launching new beverages aimed at supporting the immune system and well-being health,” he adds, echoing Kerry’s recent forecast that the holistic beverage market is to gain traction amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“The new center will include all advanced machinery to develop final beverages. Potentially, we can provide all ingredients of a drink or juice’s ingredient list.”

Thirty-five years of Italian provenance

Agrumaria Reggina has been involved in citrus processing over the past 35 years in Reggio Calabria, Southern Italy – a region devoted almost exclusively to citrus fruits’ cultivation. The supplier’s product development has strong ties with Italian citruses.

Italian provenance flavors have notably gained favor among consumers, as previously highlighted in a FoodIngredientsFirst Special Report. New premium-positioned offerings are inspired by Calabrian lemon, Italian blood orange and Sicilian chinotto essences in the spotlight among beverage offerings this year. 

“Beverage flavor trends we’ve noticed include immune system health support; mental and emotional wellbeing; beverages addressing climate change; and a growing preference for local fruits,” notes Chirico.

Starting from May, the new center will be in full operation and will host a new R&D lab together with a development wing focused on market analysis.

“The current F&B market sector is characterized by a strong evolution. It demands from companies a continuous effort to innovate through R&D to be able to remain competitive and react to new market trends,” says Davide Orsi, area sales manager at Agrumaria Reggina.

“Opening our new TIC was necessary to support our clients in their R&D efforts, bringing to the table our technical and marketing competences and offering hints and solutions aligned to what the final consumer expects.”

What’s big in beverages?
Kerry’s foodservice brand, DaVinci Gourmet, recently launched a range of beverage concepts for this spring and summer. 

The taste and nutrition company’s research into consumer trends has shown that this year, consumers will seek beverages that deliver flexitarian indulgence, fruity refreshment and teas with a healthy twist.

In time for spring, beverage innovators are also putting emphasis on uplifting flavor profiles including the tropical tonalities of watermelon and guanabana.

Further to these refreshing profiles, industry is seeing a wave of “next generation” citrus profiles, with blood orange, mandarin, pink grapefruit, yuzu and clementine all becoming more prevalent.

Among functional beverage developments, Ocean Spray Cranberries launched Ocean Spray Wave, a naturally caffeinated sparkling water with a splash of fruit juice. It launched exclusively at Walmart in the US last month.