iTi Tropicals unveils eight new prototype coconut water and juices blends

Lawrenceville, N.J.-based iTi Tropicals Inc. (iTi), a supplier of industrial tropical fruit ingredients, introduced eight new prototype blends of coconut water with other juices. The supplier said it offers both new and traditional blends to demonstrate the broad capabilities of coconut ingredients, encourage research and development, and initiate a creative dialogue between product developers and the iTi innovation team. 

The latest coconut prototypes include Sweetened Coconut Water, Toasted Coconut Milk, two coconut water vegetable blends, two tropical fruit blends, Coconut Water Acerola Blend, Coconut Water Apple Passionfruit Blend, Coconut Water Cranberry Blend and Coconut Water Grape Blend. These shelf-stable prototypes are packaged at the Tetra Pak pilot facility located in Denton, Texas, iTi said.

“Our iTi innovation scientists stand ready to assist developers in the use of tropical fruit ingredients,” said Gert van Manen, president, iTi Tropicals. “Our new Innovation Center is offered as a resource to the industry in the quest for new and exciting products using coconut water and other tropical fruit ingredients.”

Today’s consumers demand 100 percent juice beverages that are healthy and full-flavored. Because many fruit juices are rather high in fruit sugars, a key concern of many consumers is the caloric load. Coconut water is much lower in calories than apple, pear, grape, pineapple and other fruit juices, the company noted.

Additionally, proposed new label regulations would require that all fruit concentrates be listed as "added sugar," except in the case of 100 percent juice products. If the proposed label regulations are enacted, simple dilution will no longer be as attractive for reducing calories. As a result, retail brand-holders are increasingly looking to coconut water as a means to reduce calories while still delivering a 100 percent juice label claim, iTi stated.

Being largely neutral in flavor and color, coconut water blends well with tropical, non-tropical and vegetable juices alike. The eight new coconut prototypes are designed to highlight how coconut water enhances consumer health and the label appeal of other juices and vegetables. Each of the eight new blend formulas is designed to be 100 percent juice, even though some have added sugars, the company noted.