The new flavours include some from unusual citrus fruits including Kusiae and Rangpur types, which are hybrids between mandarin orange and lemon.
Other unconventional flavours in the range include one from the Meyer lemon, a fruit named after the agricultural explorer Frank Meyer, and another from Pomelo, which is the largest citrus fruit, with a flavour resembling mild sweet grapefruit.
Adding a signature
Kerry said the new palette of flavours taps into the trend towards “varietal type taste profiles.”
Explaining this, Chris Slack, a Kerry marketing executive, told BeverageDaily.com: “People are looking for the next little signature note so they can create new beverage products that they can call their own.”
Slack said it is beverage brands in Western Europe that are driving this trend although strong interest in the new flavours is expected in South Africa and the Middle East as well.
To support the launch of the flavours, Kerry has used them in a range of new concept products from a flavoured water to an energy drink. Given the high speed of new product development in the industry, the supplier said this is important to demonstrate the potential of the flavours.
The full range of new citrus flavours include Kusiae lime, Rangpur lime, Meyer lemon, Pomelo, Blood orange and Clementine.