The fresh-juice market never stops evolving. What was popular five years ago (detox cleanses, charcoal) has become less so. Customers chase ever more novel flavors: pomelo and yuzu, hyssop and beetroot. Around the world, trends flare and either catch fire or fade.
But one thing’s for sure: Customers are still thirsty for fresh juice. Here's a look at three major juicing trends that will shape the market in 2020 and beyond.
Juice Bars Up, Packaged Juice Down
A bottled-juice price war began in 2016, as newcomers battled for shelf placement with smaller, premium brands. “But as a result, quality suffered as brands reformulated their products to include purees and added water or tea,” BevNET reports. Since then, wholesale juice operations have lagged, while “quality-conscious consumers instead turn to freshly squeezed products offered by juice bars, which continue to command ultra premium price points.”
Considering adding fresh juice to the menu to boost your bottom line? Cafés and smoothie shops now have a tough and affordable option for a commercial juicer. otto™ the Juice Extractor has a powerful brushless induction motor, durable stainless steel components and wipe-clean controls. otto™ is designed for custom-order and small-batch juicing, delivering maximum yield from fruits and vegetables alike. It comes with a two-year warranty, too.
Cleanses Out, Functional Ingredients In
Have you noticed that no one is doing juice cleanses anymore? The fad peaked around five years ago (and all the hungry people cheered). Juice remains a popular part of a wellness-focused diet, however — just in a different way.
“Over the years, consumers have grown to embrace the link between consumption and health, and have begun to desire more out of food and beverages beyond variety, price and taste. … Added functionality in everyday food and beverages are perceived as the gateway to a better health future,” concludes a recent Kerry report about functional ingredients.
What are functional ingredients, exactly? The category is broad, including anything that has a proven (or perceived) health benefit: vitamins, minerals, probiotics, vegetable and fruit extracts, antioxidants, energy boosters and more. Trending functional ingredients include resveratrol (see Juice Press’s Red Wine Extract), melatonin, omega-3 fatty acids and green tea. “Consumer priorities are weight, mood, energy, and sleep,” reports Food Industry Executive, “with people increasingly wanting support from their diets, especially with weight management and energy.”
Goodbye Sugar, Hello Celery
The popularity of low-carb, high-fat diets like keto and paleo has made many people anxious to reduce their sugar intake. That doesn’t mean giving up juice entirely, however. Juicing can be an effective way for adherents to get the nutrients they need, as long as they’re careful to exclude sweet fruits. Bulletproof has a few suggestions, such as Collagen-Boosted Green Juice (celery, parsley, mint, limes, cucumbers and collagen powder).
Celery juice’s popularity rocketed in 2019 as influencers raved about its health benefits. So, is celery juice really good for you? While it’s not a miracle elixir, it is, undeniably, low in calories and sugar and high in vitamins. It’s also rich in potent antioxidants: notably apigenin and luteolin, which have been shown in studies to potentially reduce bad cholesterol, protect against certain brain diseases and reduce inflammation.
It’s a good bet that celery and other green juices will continue to rise in popularity — which is why it’s wise to invest in a commercial juicer that can handle them. otto™ the Juice Extractor’s honed blades rapidly shred fruits and vegetables while the chamber spins at high speeds to extract the juice. The strainer basket is a snap to remove and clean, so staff can keep the juice flowing.
What other juice flavors and ingredients will be in demand in 2020? See Kerry’s global taste charts to get a sense of what’s on the rise.
Considering adding fresh juice to your menu? otto™ the Juice Extractor can be your new best friend. Request a demo!
See all of Hamilton Beach Commercial’s innovative solutions for juicing operations.