Will Inca Berry Capture the Drinks Market?

Photo © iStockphoto.com/VladimirKhodataev

Frutarom Health (Switzerland) predicts there is resurgence in store for the superfruit Inca berry. Incaberrix is the supplier’s new water-soluble extract for beverages derived from the Andean fruit Physalis peruviana, also known as Inca berry, cape gooseberry, or golden berry.

“Now is the time for Inca goldenberries,” said product manager Yannick Capelle in a press release. “The concentrated nutrient value adds health benefits combined with fun and an exotic touch to a wide range of food applications.”

The company is focusing especially on beverages, including soft drinks, where Incaberrix is not only stable but can boost a drink with its rich complex of B vitamins, protein, minerals like iron, zinc, and phosphorus, as well as vitamin C and carotenoids the company says.

Where does the sweet, tart berry currently stand among other superfruits in the market? Market researcher SPINS, which tracks goldenberry in the dried fruit category, estimates combined channel (natural, specialty gourmet, and conventional) sales for goldenberry dried fruit at just over $707,000 in the 52 weeks ending June 14, 2015. While that number is still relatively small, sales did grow 7.8% in the category over the year before, with most growth happening in the conventional mainstream market.

“There is potential for Inca berry to make a comeback, and perhaps beverages is the way to go,” comments SPINS natural products specialist Kimberly Kawa and a member of Nutritional Outlook’s editorial advisory board. “It is being touted for containing a good amount of protein, and we already know that is a huge trend right now.”

Jennifer Grebow
Editor-in-Chief
Nutritional Outlook magazine
jennifer.grebow@ubm.com