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Take green coffee beans and apply the right amount of time, temperature, and moisture, according to Java Trading, which is doing just that, resulting in coffee that’s lower in bitterness and acidity — similar in the flavor profile to cold brew.
The legal challenges of serving THC products in restaurants can be extreme (or impossible in the many states where recreational cannabis is outlawed), but the producers of Wynk say their beverages, which contain between 2.5mg and 5mg per can of the psychoactive component of cannabis, are derived from hemp, not marijuana, giving them the loophole to sell it not only in cannabis dispensaries but also in regular retail and restaurants in Minnesota and other states with similar legal frameworks.
This Japanese citrus with a uniquely floral aroma keeps moving closer to the mainstream. Yuzuco sells the juice and demonstrated its qualities with items such as am Iced Yuzu Chamomile made with the juice, chamomile, rose blossom and wildflower honey.
Also called “muddy soda” and “twisted soda” among other things, this is soda with extra elements — often dairy or dairy alternatives, but sometimes syrups and other flavors — these value-added soft drinks are trending on social media, at soda fountains, and quick-service chains including Sonic Drive-In and Jack in the Box. Jack tested it in Utah last year and is rolling it out systemwide this summer.
Pictured here is Dirty Dr. Pepper, made with lime, coconut syrup, and Coffee Mate.
Kava is a root from Polynesia that is pounded into powder and made into a drink whose advocates say is both stimulating and relaxing. Kratom is a Southeast Asian herb that’s made into powders or extracts and made into drinks that are described as enhancing focus, providing energy, or even helping with pain relief, depending on the variety. They’re not actually related, but they both attract a similar crowd of young people who also enjoy CBD, nootropics and other new age stimulants.
Though their presence in foodservice is tiny, they are growing in popularity and were available at the Korthal’s Collection booth, which also was sampling CBD beverages.
Just because you don’t want to drink alcohol doesn’t mean you don’t deserve something sophisticated, and companies such as Mockly are working to fulfill that need with beverages with combinations such as floral blueberry, herbal tangerine, and pomegranate ginger.
Mockly happens to be based in New Orleans, probably the American city least associated with abstinence. Their representative said that if they can make it there, they can make it anywhere.
Ready-to-drink cocktails have been trending for a while now, but they’re getting fancier with beverages like Owl’s Brew, which are lightly spiked teas (4.8%-5% alcohol by volume), made from teas selected and blended by the owners, and similar drinks.
Ready-to-drink beverages with an extra kick were very much on display at the show, including the latest flavors from Celsius. The sugar-free Vibe line comes in fruit punch, strawberry, and berry flavors, providing something of a health halo along with non-caffeine stimulants.
Aerate milk, or a non-dairy milk substitute, in a nitrous oxide cannister, or just whip it vigorously, and sweeten it, and you have cold foam, a trendy ingredient that most of the coffee chains have. Usually it’s spooned over iced coffee beverages, but it can also top iced tea and soft drinks. At Coca-Cola’s booth it was served over a hibiscus flavored beverage.
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