From Wild Cherry to Mojito, Raging Razzberry and Vanilla, Pepsi is known for a number of unique flavor variations—now Japan is welcoming one more in the form of a soda that reminds of the taste of lemon and mint.
The new soda goes by the name of 'Pepsi Special Lemon Mint' and promises to prevent the production of fat cells when this drink is consumed with a meal. To give some credibility to this claim, the Pepsi bottle is stamped with a seal of approval as one of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s FOSHU (Food for Specified Health Uses.) Other unexpected beverages in this category include a range of other healthy colas, as well as Sapporo Breweries' first ever alcohol-free beer.
What's Driving This Trend
- Healthy Sodas
- Creating soda flavors that promote health benefits and are backed by health organizations can disrupt the expanding market of carbonated drinks.
- Herbal Infusions in Beverages
- Experimenting with unique herbal flavors and infusions in traditional beverages such as soda can offer a new range of refreshing options.
- Functional Beverages
- Incorporating ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients in beverages can offer a range of functional benefits for consumers looking for more than just hydration from their drinks.
Who This Affects Most
- Beverage
- By experimenting with unique flavor combinations and health benefits, the beverage industry can create a profitable market in providing healthy and functional options for consumers who seek them.
- Food and Health
- As beverage companies venture into the healthy beverage market, the food and health industry can create marketing strategies that emphasize the benefits of health-conscious drinking.
- Alcohol-free Beer
- Following the trend of producing alcohol-free beer, the brewing industry can explore creating unique and flavorful options that cater to those who still want to enjoy beer without the alcohol content.
