innovative solution:

Coconut Water in Orange Juice Production for 100% juice and 30% sugar reduction

Innovation Overview

The juice sector is facing significant challenges due to a drastic price increase in orange juice, driven by factors such as climate change, diseases like citrus greening, and economic issues. With a 230% price rise in the last three years, the industry is in crisis. Coupled with rising consumer demand for pure, no-added-sugar juices, an innovative solution has emerged: combining fruit juice with coconut water. This method, promoted by Green Coco Europe GmbH, involves blending 100% fruit juice with coconut water to achieve a 30% reduction in sugar content while maintaining the status of 100% fruit juice.

 

Juices not as healthy as expected 

According to a recent survey conducted by the Hamburg market research institute Appinio, 81 percent of surveyed consumers would like the Nutri-Score logo to be mandatory for manufacturers, while 60 percent believe that the Nutri-Score logo will help them on their way to a healthier diet. 91 percent of those surveyed are convinced that having uniform information on food packaging is beneficial and want this indication to be prominently displayed on the products.

This consumer assessment also puts fruit juice producers under increasing pressure.
They see themselves challenged by the fact that the Nutri-Score classifies fruit juices, which consumers essentially perceive as healthy, in area C and smoothies in the even less favourable area D due to their high sugarfructose content. 

What could be the solution here?

By using low-brix coconut water, the most subtle-tasting and, with only 11 calories, the least sugary coconut water on the market, fruit juices can raise their Nutri-Score from the yellow C range into the green B range and smoothies can improve on their D rating and climb into the C category. Another added value: manufacturers can also declare coconut water’s added minerals and vitamins on their juices.
 

Main advantages

  1. Sugar Reduction:
    Coconut water allows for a significant reduction in sugar content (over 30%) without compromising the juice’s quality or taste, helping juices score better on health metrics like the Nutri-Score.
  2. Cost Efficiency:
    It provides a cost-effective alternative to pure fruit juice, mitigating the impact of rising fruit juice concentrate prices, particularly for orange juice.
  3. Nutritional Benefits: 
    Coconut water is rich in essential minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium, enhancing the nutritional profile of the juice.
  1. Consumer Appeal: 
    The blend meets the growing consumer demand for healthier, low-sugar beverages, appealing particularly to health-conscious individuals and athletes.
  2. Versatility: 
    This approach can be applied to a variety of fruit juices (e.g., apple, pear, mango, berries), offering manufacturers the flexibility to innovate across their product lines.
  3. Regulatory Compliance: 
    The resulting product can still be marketed as 100% fruit juice, complying with existing fruit juice regulations.
  4. Taste: 
    More than 15 through well-developed recipes, the taste profile regarding sweetness and acidity, especially for orange juice, can be perfectly achieved. There is no perception of taste dilution.

This innovative use of coconut water addresses both economic and health concerns in the juice industry, ensuring a high-quality, cost-effective, and consumer-friendly product offering amidst the ongoing orange juice crisis.

Please contact us to learn more….