A freshly squeezed orange or fresh pulped and strained apple would supply a fruit juice drink for immediate consumption, but to expect it to maintain its quality for even a day or two was tempting providence.
Nowadays, with the benefit of ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurization, aseptic packaging techniques and systems, pressed juices can be stored for extended periods with very little deterioration in quality. Previously, reliance had to be places upon the use of preservatives and ‘classical’ pasteurization at lower temperatures (70ºC+) and longer holding times.Advances in instrumental analytical techniques have made it possible to identify those chemicals in natural extracts (whether of fruit or botanical origin) that provide the characteristic flavorprofile. This analytical knowledge, apart from leading the way to ‘designer drinks’, has also served to maintain and standardize the quality of a range of beverage types that still base their success upon traditional fruit juice systems.
The majority of the active flavor components of most fruit types have been identified (TNO-CIVO) and provide the beverage technologist with a basis for the addition of certain characters in the development of a new product.
The increasing numbers of health-conscious consumers in India, especially in the country’s urban areas, who are more focused on functionality and nutrition in their beverages rather than just their thirst quenching properties and convenience, drove the positive sales growth seen in juice in 2016.
India fruit juice based beverages market was valued at INR billion in FY’2014 and has inclined from INR billion in FY’2010 registering a CAGR of over 21.6% during FY'2010-14. The growth of the market over this period has been fueled by the growing urbanization, rising disposable income and surging middle class. Fruit based beverages are largely consumed by the urban population, particularly by the middle class and upper class segment of the Indian population. The increasing disposable income and rising occurrences of diseases resulting from unhealthy lifestyles have greatly impacted the growth curve of the market over the years. The fruit-based beverages category is one of the fastest growing categories, and has grown at a CAGR of over 30% over the past decade. At present, the Indian juices market is valued at INR 1100 crore (USD 200 million) and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 15% over the next three years. Due to heavy demand it is a good project for entrepreneurs to invest.