Coconut Water Gently Packaged in Carton Packs From SIG

Coconut water is the new trend beverage everyone is talking about. The clear, nutty and slightly sweet-tasting liquid obtained from young, green coconuts, is isotonic and has a very high potassium content. This makes coconut water the perfect refresher for restoring the body’s nutrient balance after sports, for instance. In addition, coconut water stimulates collagen formation, and it is also a traditional remedy used in Ayurvedic medicine.

Coconut water is a healthy treat even when it is not drunk fresh, straight from the coconut: food manufacturers rely on the aseptic carton pack to provide high-quality, convenient packaging that treats this premium beverage with care. This means consumers can drink wholesome coconut water even outside the tropics.

Coconut water is sterile as long as the nut remains unopened. As the nut ripens, the clear liquid becomes less and less. In the tropics, the main growing area for coconut palms, nuts selected for producing coconut water are harvested at a stage of ripeness in which the nuts are still green, and the flesh is soft and jelly-like. In this stage, the fruit contains the greatest quantity of coconut water – up to 800 ml per nut – and it is at its most nutrient-rich. If the nuts were left on the tree to ripen further, just a couple of weeks later the flesh would have hardened completely and the nut would be brown on the outside.

Coconut water has nothing to do with coconut milk, which is made from the flesh of the ripe nuts; the flesh is mixed with water and puréed to a creamy white liquid, and then filtered. In contrast, coconut water is isotonic, because it has the same electrolyte balance of nutrients and fluids as human blood, and the body therefore assimilates it very easily and rapidly. It is said to help lower stress, to be a dieting aid, to support heart health and to strengthen skin, hair and nails.

Typical beverage in the tropics

UHT processing followed by filling in aseptic carton packs is the perfect combination to ensure the nutritious coconut water, which is easily impaired by processing, is treated and packaged gently. Tipco, South-East Asia’s leading food and beverage manufacturer, has opted to offer coconut water in aseptic carton packs. Coconut water is highly valued in Thailand as one of the healthiest beverages around. It is fat-free, and has been widely enjoyed for more than 4,000 years as a natural source of valuable nutrients that are good for health and well-being, and an aid to beauty. “Filling the sterile products in protective carton packs will enable us to export them to countries such as the United States, Canada
and Brazil”, according to Tipco. The company is confident that the healthy, traditional tropical drink will catch on as a trend beverage in other parts of the world as well.

Things are already moving in that direction: in Europe, for instance, Switzerland’s Bischofszell Food Ltd. (BINA) counts on the trend potential of coconut water. Since 2012, under the ‘Coco Water’ label, the company has been offering Pure and Pineapple varieties in small-format carton packs with drinking straw. Arnold Graf, Key Account and Product Group Manager at BINA: “Coconut water combines a number of qualities that are beneficial for health. What’s more, it tastes terrific. With ‘Coco Water’, we’ve brought to Europe what, up to now, Europeans have experienced only on holiday. We think coconut water is set to become a real lifestyle beverage in this country too”.

In America too, coconut water has huge potential. “In 2011, the US market for coconut water saw growth of 100 per cent compared to the previous year. Today – depending on the source – estimated retail sales stand at up to 140 million Euros. This means coconut water is one of the most high-potential and significant new developments in the healthy beverages market”, says Tim Kirchen, Head of Marketing and Business Development at SIG Combibloc North America. So, according to Kirchen, it is not just a sub-segment where small start-up companies are getting a foot in the door. Kirchen: “Even the bigger players in the beverage industry are investing heavily in the development of innovative product concepts and processing methods for coconut water. It looks likely that in the near future a whole host of coconut water beverages will be appearing on the market – and not just as the pure product, but also in the form of mix drinks where the addition of coconut water adds a special character and natural extras”.

Apple & Eve, one of the USA’s biggest privately owned manufacturers of juice beverages, is opting on the special qualities of coconut water. With ‘Water Fruits’ the company has brought out a range of beverages that represent an innovation in the soft drinks sector. The combination of water, fruit juice and coconut water offers great-tasting hydration and a healthy refreshing hit at the same time. The new products come in Tropical Fruit Twister, Fruit Punch Frenzy and Very Berry Blast flavours. Positioned as a healthy, delicious refresher and presented in bold, colourful packaging, the new beverages satisfy the tastes of children and adults alike.

SIG Combibloc is one of the world’s leading system suppliers of carton packaging and filling machines for beverages and food. In 2012 the company achieved a turnover of 1,620 million Euro with around 4,950 employees in 40 countries. SIG Combibloc is part of the New Zealand based Rank Group.

This feature is provided by Food Ingredients First’s sister website, Packaging Insights.

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