Masq founder, Brad Parkes, enjoyed having a few drinks on a Friday or Saturday night but was also striving to make healthier choices and feel better consistently. On a mission to find a better way to drink, he encountered “less bad” options but didn’t see many with ingredients that could make them better, like nutrients and antioxidants.

Brad’s desire for a better-for-you alcoholic beverage initiated the journey that resulted in the creation of Masq Fusions, a line of healthful hard teas. Masq Fusion combines organic Yerba Mate (green-tea base) with fruit juice, herbal extract, monk fruit, blue agave nectar, and a proprietary adaptogen blend. The formula packs in a lot of healthful ingredients but is designed to sell on taste.

Masq Fusions come in brightly colored 12oz sleek cans packaged in convenient 4-packs.

We had the opportunity to sample all three Masq flavors: Dragon Fruit Acai, Lemon Ginger, and Blueberry Lavender.

Dragonfruit Acai – Masq Fusions Dragonfruit Acai opens with a sweet flowery aroma and pours to a soft yellow color. With a smooth, almost creamy texture and light carbonation, the beverage is crisp and just the right amount of sweet. The combination of tropical fruits creates an exotic taste that is enjoyably unique. We love the clean, light texture that is not at all syrupy or heavy.

Lemon Ginger – Masq Fusions Lemon Ginger has a light ginger scent with just a touch of lemon. We enjoyed the well-crafted balance between the bright, sweet citrus taste and the ginger’s warm spice.

Blueberry Lavender – Masq Fusions Blueberry Lavender is a dessert-like beverage with just the right level of sweetness. The bright berry flavors blend with the floral hint of lavender, creating a sweetly mellow blueberry treat. The clean, refreshing finish makes this beverage easy to sip and enjoy.

Summary:
Refreshingly bubbly and flavorful, Masq Fusions are just as light as a seltzer, but with a bigger punch of flavor. With only 110 calories, Masq Fusions pack in both taste and antioxidants and adaptogens, for a healthfully satisfying drinking experience.

To learn more about Masq Hard Tea, visit https://drinkmasq.com/ 

The base of the Tea in the Moment recipes is a blend of cacao beans blended with natural organic ingredients. Cacao husks have been used to brew cacao tea for thousands of years. When brewed as a loose-leaf style tea, cacao shells have a subtle taste reminiscent of dark chocolate. While Tea in the Moment teas are 99.5% caffeine-free, cacao shells contain Theobromine, a natural “feel-good” stimulant.

Tea in the Moment comes in seven flavors–Rose Cacao, Original Cacao, Coconut Cacao, Mint Cacao, Orange Cacao, Chai Lavender Cacao. Each is sold in an attractive white box containing 50g of loose leaf tea.

Rose Cacao

Rose Cacao starts with a strong rose aroma that slightly overpowers the scent of cacao. We loved the combination of the light floral notes combined with the more earthy flavors of the cacao. The balance of cacao shells to rose petals in this blend is perfectly balanced.

Original Cacao

Original Cacao has the intense aroma and flavors of chocolate and cacao. If you’re not accustomed to those rich flavors, it can take a little getting used to. The sweet and unique tea would appeal to dark chocolate lovers.

Coconut Cacao

Coconut Cacao brings in a powerful hit of coconut. This blend is sweet and rich – probably the sweetest of the flavors we sampled. The rich and creamy coconut balances out the cacao’s bitter notes in another nicely balanced combination of flavors.

Mint Cacao

The scent of Mint Cacao reminded us a lot of After Eight mint chocolate. For anyone who enjoys the combination of mint and chocolate, this blend artfully brings together the zesty, refreshing essence of peppermint with the rich chocolatey flavors of cacao.

Summary: Tea in the Moment loose leaf cacao teas combine the chocolatey taste of cacao with the soothing experience of drinking tea. The result is a dessert-like beverage without sugar. We could see adding Tea in The Moment to many moments throughout the day for an enjoyable treat that delivers a boost without the calories or caffeine crash.

For more information visit Tea in the Moment’s website.

Peffer brings a wealth of experience and an extensive track record of success from his 20-year tenure with Red Bull. He has deep expertise in all commercial-related functions including Key Accounts, Distribution/Route to Market, Category Management, Shopper Insights, Trade Marketing and more. During his time with Red Bull, Peffer helped build the North America region of the beverage company from a $5 million brand to $3 billion.  As part of the Executive Leadership Team while at the energy drink giant, Peffer spearheaded many key strategies and initiatives which changed the non-alcoholic beverage landscape as we know it today.

“It’s an honor to welcome Chad to the CLEAN Cause family,” said Hurt, “I have no doubt his industry expertise and experience will help elevate the CLEAN brand to the highest level.  While his professional accomplishments are more than impressive, it’s crucial that he is also a leader with a heart for the Cause.  He understands the need and the power of our mission, and frankly, that’s more important to me than all of the business experience in the world.”

In the past year, CLEAN Cause has experienced immense growth with its current portfolio of 8 Sparkling Yerba Mate skus. In Peffer’s new role he will lead all strategic and day-to-day operations to help drive the company’s continued success. Peffer was initially drawn to CLEAN Cause due to its business model, commitment to the Cause, and its functional line of beverages.

“I can’t wait! CLEAN has one of the strongest brand propositions and commitment that I have ever seen,” said Peffer. “What if other CPG brands, or any manufacturing company for that matter, donated 50% of their profits to any cause? The world would be a better place.  As a consumer, it’s a simple proposition – a great, functional product with an unmatched business model.  I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a capitalist… but a capitalist with a Cause.”

Source: CLEAN Cause

Who or what inspired you to create Tea In The Moment?

I came across the idea as I was looking for something sweet to satisfy cravings in the evenings. My usual go-to would be a piece of dark chocolate, or if I wanted something a bit lighter I would make a hot chocolate drink or tea. However, I found that most of these contained ingredients, flavourings or preservatives that I’d never heard of, or they were blended with caffeinated green/black tea – not ideal before bed! I wondered if it was possible to take these existing teas, and strip them back to just one or two natural, whole ingredients for a naturally great tasting drink, that actually tasted like real dark chocolate!

What difficulties did you face so far as an entrepreneur in the beverage industry? What is the hardest part of creating and launching a beverage brand?

I am totally new to the F&B world, so I’m learning everything for the first time. My biggest challenge right now is trying to build brand awareness and get my product out there into the world!

Tea in the Moment is a tea line with 4 different blends. Can you tell us a little bit more about each blend? Which one is your favorite?

We currently have a collection of four calming blends:

Original Cacao, Mint Cacao, Rose Cacao and Coconut Cacao.

Each blend is made from the outer shells of cacao beans and blended with organic, whole ingredients – with no added preservatives or flavourings.

• Original Cacao is the simple solution for anyone looking to satisfy sweet tooth cravings. It’s warm, velvety taste is reminiscent of a piece of your favourite quality dark chocolate.
• Mint Cacao is a fun take on the classic mint choc chip combination – the blend of refreshing peppermint leaves and sweet chocolate make it the ideal after-dinner dessert.
• Coconut Cacao is great because it’s naturally sweet with a creamy finish – even better when tried with a dash of coconut milk and a sprinkle of coconut sugar.
• Rose Cacao is definitely my favourite, it’s a delicate, floral blend that leaves you feeling light.

There are many strong tea blend brands in the United Kingdom. What makes Tea In The Moment differ in the market?

I completely agree. When I first set out to create my own tea brand I knew there was no way I could compete with some of these brands that have 300+ years of knowledge and expertise. That said, I also noticed it’s these same brands that have been sat on the shelves for as long as I can remember – marketed towards the same generation, with the same packaging, with little to no innovation.

This seemed odd because I knew people my age (the twenty/thirty-somethings) were willing to, and wanted to try new things and new flavours, especially if it provided a healthy, plant-based alternative to an existing staple.

In this way, I think both the product and the messaging sets us apart from what’s currently out there. In an aisle of bold, bright colours that are shouting for attention I hope the paired back packaging of our tea can bring a little calm to the loud lineup…

I have to say, I just love the whole idea of Tea in the Moment used as a brand’s name. However, why this brand name?

They often say people create the things they need the most. The name Tea in the Moment represents the reminder I needed. To slow down, take a breath and bring myself back to the present.

Where sitting down with a meditation app always seemed quite daunting, a cup of tea provided me with the perfect opportunity for that mindful moment I so desperately needed, but often neglected.

This of course is not a new or novel idea, with tea meditation and ceremonies forming the basis of many ancient cultures for thousands of years.

But I wanted to introduce it in a new way that would resonate with the twenty/thirty-somethings of this world, and share the comfort and peace this simple practice brought me to whomever else might need it.

COVID-19 has a huge impact on the beverage industry. What changes has your company made in order to stay competitive?

We are digitally native, born online with a direct to consumer model (for now). At the moment my focus is on growing our instagram page and building a lovely community and a loyal following – which they are!

In your opinion, what are the biggest trends in the beverage market every startup should notice this year?

The emphasis on wellness and wellbeing. I think consumers, especially the younger audience, will want more than just a product. They’ll want something that tastes good but also makes them feel good. Within tea specifically, I think there will be a continued shift away from caffeinated blends and a growing interest in more experimental herbal blends.

What advice would you had given yourself before you started out in the beverage business?

Being totally honest, this is just the beginning for me so I still have everything to learn. I think continuing to reach out and ask for help will be the most important thing!

For more information visit Tea In The Moment website.

Increasing Awareness Related to the Health Benefits is Set to Drive the Global Market

Increasing awareness related to the health benefits of tea and coffee such as green tea, lemon tea, and detox coffee and tea. Coffee and tea are the most enjoyed beverages around the world due to having things that help health. Tea and coffee help the human body fight free radicals with chemicals of their own called antioxidants. Coffee has lots of a certain antioxidant that helps keep blood sugar lower and more stable. Furthermore, the availability of a wide range of options and customization to local tastes is fueling the growth of the global hot beverages market. There is a wide range of teas available in the market such as black tea, green tea, white tea, oolong tea, herbal tea, etc. Moreover, there is tremendous variability encountered in both wild and cultivated coffee plants.

Manufacturers Adopting Expansion, Acquisition & Partnership Strategies

On August 31, 2018, Coca-Cola expands hot beverages selection with Costa Coffee acquisition from parent company Whitbread PLC. This acquisition will give Coca-Cola a strong coffee platform across parts of Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa, with nearly 4,000 retail outlets and the scope for additional expansion. In August 2019, the hostess has launched a Ding Dongs Hot Cocoa which is a full-bodied chocolate cake flavor finished with soft hints of vanilla. Hostess partners up with Trilliant to bring this beverage. In January 2018, Barista in collaboration with RoohAfza introduces two hot beverages. RoohAfza and its partner Barista Coffee Company have launched two new hot beverages that are Rooh Mocha and RoohAfza Badam Milk. These new hot beverages are available in 100 Barista stores by focusing on the RoohAfza markets.

The above figure shows the age group of respondents in the survey conducted for the consumers of hot beverages. People having age more than 60 are the major consumers of hot beverages. Health benefits related to hot beverages increases the demand for it in elder people. The consumption of hot beverages for boosting energy is growing in elderly people. The figure also shows that the consumption of hot beverages increases with the age of the consumer. About 18% consumers are between the age group 16 to 19 while 21.50% of consumers are between age group 20 to 40. Furthermore, 27.50% of consumers are between the age group 40 to 60 and 33% consumers having an age group of more than 60, which is the largest.

According to responses collected from consumers across the globe, we conclude that males consume more hot beverages than females. The majority of consumers prefer hot beverages for health benefits and to increase energy levels. Majority of consumers prefer conventional hot beverages over organic hot beverages. Moreover, good taste and sugar quantity are highly important factors for consumers. Consumers also prefer to drink hot beverages in the morning, at home and at cafes.

Coffee is a Major Revenue – Generating Segment

The report on the global hot beverages market covers segments such as type, nature and distribution channel. Based on types, the market is sub-segmented into coffee, tea, milk, and others. Coffee dominated the hot beverages market owing to the increasing popularity of organic coffee. Organic and natural coffee is free from pesticides and chemicals, and thus it helps to generate the demand among health-conscious people. Based on nature, the market is sub-segmented into organic and conventional. On the basis of the distribution channel, the submarket includes online and offline channels. The offline channel holds a large market share of the hot beverages market.

The Asia Pacific Region is the Most Lucrative Region for the Hot Beverages

Among the regions, Asia Pacific accounted for the largest share of the hot beverages market in 2018. The largest share of this region is attributed to the high consumption of countries such as Japan, China, India, and Indonesia. China and Japan are highly tea consumers in the Asia Pacific region. Coffee chains such as Starbucks and Costa Coffee are encouraging the market for hot beverages market in 2018. The largest share of this region is attributed to the high consumption of countries in the Asia Pacific. New product developments such as K-cups, stick coffee and tea are increasing the market for the single-serve market of hot beverages. Europe is the second-largest market for Hot Beverages. Western Europe is the biggest coffee market in the world and has been experiencing a strong premiumization trend, contributing to an increase in high-quality offerings and higher expectations from consumers.

Source: Infinium Global Research

Wissotzky Teas carries an assortment of teas in their signature collection that range in flavor from warm and spicy chai to crisp and refreshing mint. All of the teas we reviewed are kosher.

Ginger and Turmeric Spiced Chai 

This flavor in the signature collection comes in a beautiful flip-top box with luxuirious gold foil and warm, colorful orange, green, and yellow background design. Within the box, a vacuum-sealed foil bag keeps the silk pyramid tea bags fresh. The warm touch of ginger and turmeric adds a rich and robust tone to the chai flavor. This tea, served with milk or without, would make an enjoyable after-dinner treat.

Salted Caramel Chai 

The caramel and sea salt in this tea creates a sweet and savory chai experience. The light caramel notes are delicately balanced by the black tea, cinnamon bark, cloves, and cardamom, creating an enticing, but not overly sweet treat. We enjoyed this tea hot, as well as cold, served over ice as a fun morning pick-me-up. We also loved the beautiful orange and teal design on the package.

Spiced Nana Mint Chai

We wouldn’t have thought of mixing chai and mint, but this tea proves that the blend of warm chai spices and cool mint can work to create a unique and refreshing tea experience. Although slightly more chai in flavor than mint, the hint of minty flavor provides a friendly, cooling complement to the warm ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom. We can envision drinking this tea after lunch to fight an afternoon slump in energy and focus.

Nana Mint Black Tea

The package of this black tea showcases photos of black tea leaves and fresh sprigs of mint. We could immediately identify the quality of the black tea in these individual pouches with a deep, robust, and recognizable taste and mouthfeel. The black tea flavor is enriched with a bright and lively blast of spearmint that left us feeling invigorated and refreshed. With all-natural ingredients, this tea is a refreshing and healthful drink when served warm or iced.

Nana Mint Green Tea

We know there are many health benefits associated with green tea. The antioxidants and nutrients in green tea have been proven to have powerful effects on the body, including improved brain function, fat loss, and lower risk of cancer. With the lively addition of mint leaves and natural spearmint flavor, Nana Mint Green Tea is a revitalizing twist on the classic smooth, bright and refreshing taste of green tea. A blast of fresh mint aroma awakens your senses upon opening the individual teabag pouch. Steeping the tea reveals a beautiful light green color. The tea is delicate, flavorful, and does not have a bitter aftertaste like some other green teas we have tried.

Overall: Wissotzky Tea’s long history of making outstanding teas is evident in the taste and packaging of their teas. The wide range of crafted flavor blends provide delightful experiences for tea lovers to enjoy at any time. Whether you’re looking for a robust chai or a light and refreshing green tea, Wissotzky Teas delivers a beautifully crafted beverage steeped in quality.

For more information visit Wissotzky Tea’s website.

1. Let’s start from the very beginning. What is the story behind Humm Kombucha?

Two women in a kitchen set out to do business differently with the mission of helping people feel good. When Michelle and I started, we asked ourselves, is it possible to take care of people in business like you take care of friends and family? From the very beginning, we wanted to share this feel-good experience with the world – not just people who shopped at the health food store, but everyone else too.

2. Not long ago your company announced an update on the current line. Can you tell us more about the improved Humm Kombucha?

We don’t really call the new Humm Zero innovation an “improved” kombucha, but instead an exciting addition to our current line. We realize that early adopters and new consumers don’t all want the same thing. That’s why we have our existing line of original flavors, 5g and our new zero-sugar, low-calorie, shelf-stable Humm Zero to satisfy beverage lovers from all walks of life.

3. There is no doubt that the beverage market has many different kombucha brands. What makes Humm Kombucha different in the market?

Humm Kombucha is al ive and raw product that is verified non-alcoholic. But really the main differentiators are that our kombucha tastes amazing and is approachable – mainstream flavors and names, no vinegar bite, refreshing. We have two rules for all of our products: it has to be delicious and it has to be good for you.

4. What difficulties did you face during the process of the current line upgrade?

Anytime you pioneer something that hasn’t been done before, there’s bound to be some challenges! We spent three years working on our process for all of our kombucha (FIP – Fermentation Innovation Process), which made it possible to create Zero – no sugar – shelf-stable – and so good! And we couldn’t have done it without having our process in place. We have a very talented and tenacious innovation team that was committed to figuring it out, and we’re so excited to get it to the consumer!

5. Humm Kombucha offers a 7-day challenge. Can you tell us more about it?

The 7-day challenge is to drink one bottle of Humm Kombucha every day for 7 days. Don’t change anything else about what you’re doing. Eat the same things, drink the same things, the same exercise as you normally would do; the only thing you’re changing is drinking one bottle of Humm a day and then tell us how you feel after. Most people say they just feel better! You can follow Humm Instagram and be entered into drawings for cool prizes.

6. What are the biggest goals set for 2020?

Our mission is to help people feel good, and in 2020 we’re excited to help a whole lot more people feel great! We’re thrilled that Humm Zero will enable so many more people to enjoy tasty Humm in many ways they haven’t been able to drink kombucha. Since Humm Zero doesn’t need to be refrigerated and comes in cans, people can keep it in their pantry, bring it to school, to work, take it on a hike, to a beach – all the places! Humm Zero even opens kombucha up to people who have wanted healthy drinks but were staying away from sugar including those on keto, paleo, low carb, and low sugar diet programs.

7. What advice would you have given yourself before you started out in the beverage business?

The same advice as I’d give anyone starting anything new. There’s going to be a lot you don’t know, a lot to learn quickly, a lot of opinions and noise about how things should be done or have been done for the last 100 years. It’s important to ask questions and listen to people who have done it before you, but also listen to your gut. Trust your instincts and go for it. Don’t be afraid to mess up, there’s always an opportunity to try it again a different way.

For more information visit Humm Kombucha’s website.

1. I have read your story on CLEAN Cause’s website. It’s touching and inspiring. Why did you choose the beverage business?

From a branding standpoint, CLEAN is a fantastic name for a beverage. Consumers are increasingly seeking drink options that are “better-for-you”, have organic/NON-GMO ingredients and aren’t over-loaded with sugar. The CLEAN name is well aligned with all of these attributes. Secondly, the total addressable market for beverages is billions upon billions. Being that our mission is to create a sustainable source of funding and that we want to make a meaningful impact, we needed to choose an industry that would give us a real shot at generating significant profits.

2. CLEAN Cause has four different flavors. Can you tell us a little bit about each?

We offer single-flavor profiles including blackberry (our best-seller), raspberry, peach and lemon lime. Each can has only 60 calories, is USDA organic certified and is topped off with 160mg of organic caffeine. The flavors aren’t overpowering, and the sweetness and carbonation balance the product to create a refreshing pick-me-up. Simply put, CLEAN is better caffeine.

3. It is hard to develop a successful beverage brand. What difficulties did you face during the process of development? In your opinion, what are the key elements for a successful beverage brand?

Probably the most difficult aspect of the beverage business is being able to find the funding you need to enable you a long enough time period to find a market foothold with your brand. The beverage business is highly capital intensive. In addition to funding challenges, finding coworkers and building a solid team is extremely challenging. Resumes and reference calls are great, but you really get to see what a person is made of (or not) after they are fully on board.

Photo credit: Sanjay Patel

4. It might be hard to differ in the beverage market. What makes CLEAN Cause stand out?

Three things really set us apart from the rest of the beverage market. Number one is our packaging. It’s true to its name “CLEAN, and has a vibrant color scheme. In short, it’s easy on the eyes and really pops off the shelf. Secondly, the product itself sets us apart from the crowd. Yerba Mate is a new category in the US, but I’m convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that it’s the healthiest form of caffeine in the world. It is packed with minerals and vitamins and doesn’t give you the jitters. In short, the product delivers better performance because it contains better caffeine. Last, but certainly not least, is the most compelling differentiator – our cause and give back. I think the fact that we commit such a large part of our profits to support a mission that affects us all really stands out in the industry. At the end of the day, we’re got CLEAN packaging, a delicious product that delivers better functional benefits, with a purpose that we can all unite behind.

5. The half of the profit goes to support addiction recovery. Can you tell us more about the initiative?

Our giveback initiative is coined “CLEAN Kickstarts”. They are sober living scholarships intended to give folks fresh out of rehab, homelessness, or incarceration the opportunity to focus on getting a job and establishing a recovery support system. We think of it as a bridge between rehab and reintegration. There’s a big gap here in the continuum of care and we aim to fill it as quickly as possible!

6. What are the biggest goals set for 2020?

From a business perspective, increasing our national footprint, securing more major retailers and focusing on really winning in the markets we’re given the opportunity would be our top three goals. On the cause front, our goal is to generate an additional 1,000 sober living scholarships by the end of 2020.

7. What advice would you have given yourself before you started out in the beverage business?

Plan your work. Work your plan.

For more information visit CLEAN Cause’s website.

CLEAN Cause beverages are a sparkling, USDA organic, Yerba Mate with 160mg of Better Caffeine in each can. Yerba Mate is said to provide longer-lasting, sustained energy without the undesirable side effects of coffee or energy drinks.

CLEAN Cause founder and CEO, Wes Hurt, is an entrepreneur, person in recovery and man on a mission. He founded CLEAN Cause with the commitment of creating a sustainable source of funding to support recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. “The trends we’re seeing of sober-curious lifestyles and notable public figures opening up about their battles with addiction allows a conversation to take place globally,” said Hurt, “Our country is facing an addiction epidemic. A big problem requires a big solution. And for us, it needs to be a sustainable one. Hence, our giveback business model. We’re super grateful for Whole Foods giving us the opportunity to spread our product and our purpose from coast to coast.”

CLEAN Cause “gives where you swig” and allocates scholarships in the regions where the beverages are purchased. To date, CLEAN Cause has given back over half a million dollars to their CLEAN Kickstarts program, awarding more than 1,000 sober living scholarships. In 2020, CLEAN Cause has a goal of giving back another $500k to support recovery from alcohol and drug addiction.

Source: CLEAN Cause

Chai is a beverage enjoyed by over a billion people around the world. While there are numerous coffee makers on the market, chai lovers have to spend money at their local cafe to buy a cup of chai or prepare it manually on the stove. This time-consuming and laborious process hasn’t changed in over 100 years. Now, busy professionals, moms, teens, and elders do not need to stand in front of the stove to watch their chai brewing. With Chime, anyone can make a custom-made cup of chai to suit their taste at the push of a button, in about three minutes.

“Chime automates the messy and time-consuming parts of chai making, such as boiling water and milk while maintaining quality ingredients and letting you customize your recipe based on your preference. We’ve already shipped our product to many customers with enthusiastic feedback and are excited to make it available in North America with this new Indiegogo campaign,” said Gaurav Chawla, Founder and CEO of Chime.

Product features include:

• Patented dual-boiler system to brew authentic chai.
• High-quality tea from Assam and Darjeeling and natural spices from Kerala packed in nitrogen-flushed caps to maintain freshness for every single cup. Available in 5 different flavors and adding more blends and kinds of tea regularly.
• Connected app for iOS and Android that lets you customize your recipe — or take it with you to another Chime.
• Compact design in a charcoal grey color.
• Two chime packs containing 10 caps each will be sent with each brewer for Indiegogo customers. To purchase more chime caps, visit shop.brewchime.com for flavors and pricing.

“Chime is an absolute game-changer in my home. It has eliminated my least favorite thing about chai — which is that it takes a long time to make and clean up — while keeping and even improving upon the unparalleled taste of the desi chai. I cannot recommend Chime enough!” said customer Romana Pawar of Sunnyvale, CA.

Source: Chime Chai