Exberry supplier GNT is taking inspiration from Very Peri, the Pantone Color of the Year 2022, by formulating new natural coloring solutions that match well with active ingredients that boost immunity and convey the feeling of transformation.

This blue hue with a violet undertone is described as a “manifestation color” capable of bringing an attitude of “newness,” according to the Pantone Color Institute. It is intended to communicate an attitude coveted by consumers after spending long periods in COVID-19 pandemic induced lockdowns. 

FoodIngredientsFirst speaks to Maartje Hendrickx, market development manager, GNT Group about the ways in which the company is leveraging the color.

“We’re now moving toward more abstract and broader color cues that communicate natural landscapes and elemental nature together with visionary science. Very Peri fits well with this trend, so it could be a great choice for drinks that contain ‘superfoods’ and active ingredients,” Maartje Hendrickx, market development manager, GNT Group.

Harnessing the coloring properties of plants
As part of its research into the UK soft drink market, the company looked at beverages that showcase active ingredients wher colors have traditionally been determined by the functional vegetable, spice or fruit.

Fruit blends work well with dairy-based beverages. (Credit: Exberry)“Just as Very Peri mixes reds and blues, we blend raw materials such as black carrots, spirulina and red beets to create our clean-label concentrates,” says Hendrickx.

The color was not previously part of GNT’s range and can be used in new and inventive ways. “There are endless opportunities to use Very Peri to create eye-catching products, including beverages, snacks, and ice creams,” explains Hendrickx.

“The Exberry coloring foods range covers the whole rainbow. We use a wide variety of raw materials to make our concentrates and can mix different shades to create the exact results we need for each application.”

“We’re able to deliver powerful Very Peri shades to bring a wide range of food and drink applications to life,” says Hendrickx.

Harnessing transformative energies in trying times
The Pantone Color of the Year 2022 was seleced to reflect what is happening in the global culture, expressing what people are looking for. According to the Pantone Institute, creating a new color in the history of the Pantone Institute’s educational color program reflects the transformation taking place globally. 

The Pantone Institute describes Very Peri, Pantone 17-3938 as displaying “a carefree confidence and a daring curiosity” that animates the creative spirit. 

The blue hue with its violet-red undertone represents a spritely and joyous attitude.

“Very Peri” has been designed as a symbol of “the global zeitgeist” during a time of transformation as people emerge from an intense period of isolation. The color draws upon gaming trends and digital interfacing. 

Color trends from the metaverse are fusing with the physical, the Pantone institute claims.

“As we move into a world of unprecedented change, the selection of Pantone 17-3938 Very Peri brings a novel perspective and vision of the trusted, beloved blue color family,” says Leatrice Eiseman, the Pantone Color Institute executive director.

For F&B applications, industry players believe this could boost social media activity while eliciting themes of empowerment and immunity. In F&B, blue and red hues have been increasing in popularity.

Leveraging the nuances of Very Peri
GNT has decoded the meaning of this violet-blue shade, also known as periwinkle, across different cultures and product categories. 

The “coloring foods” specialist will use the color to amplify sensation in various F&B applications such as dairy or bakery, helping food brands set themselves apart or build cultural connections with their consumers. 

The color company recently enlisted professional semioticians’ skills to delve into how color in food imparts messages on a conscious and subconscious level. Its “The Power of Color” market research can be used by formulators to tailor personalized coloring solutions for the F&B arena.