Hibiscus extract aimed at naturally-coloured drinks

Chr Hansen, global market supplier of natural colours for the food and beverage industries, has launched Hibiscus Extract WSP, a range of bright red shades for drinks, especially ready-to-drink teas and drinks with fruit and flowers. The new, non-purified extract comes as an easy-to-use and allergen-free water-soluble powder. Used in low-pH applications, a bright red shade is achieved.

Since 2005 the number of launches of flavoured still drinks or nectars containing hibiscus extract has more than doubled in Singapore, Taiwan, Hong-Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

The rising interest in colours and flavours from flowers could be the next big thing after the superfruit buzz, said Chr Hansen. Hibiscus was even more attractive since it combined exotic origin, anthocyanins pigment, and an appealing name known by consumers, the company added.

Contact: Chr Hansen; Tel: 0033 4 68 71 61 53​