Carbonated fruit drinks, developed by scientists from the CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysuru, were on display for the first time in public, at the institute’s Open Day which began here on Monday.
The institute took around 1.5 years to come out with this product made from technology that adheres to the fruit juice/pulp content as per FSSAI regulations. Fruit pulp/juice extracted from mature ripe fruits was used for the production of the carbonated beverages. An indigenous technology of CFTRI under the Make in India initiative, the product, according to the CFTRI, was acceptable for people of all ages.
The drink comes in a 300 ml bottle and has a shelf life of three months (under room temperature). It can be produced 300 days in a year. Locally available fruits can be used to produce the drink using the technology and can give best returns to the farmers. It has the potential of opening a new market for them.
Visitors tasted the drink served at the Carbonated Fruit Beverage Plant, Mission Directorate, FTT, and gave a thumbs-up to the technology.
“The beverage can be produced from a variety of fruits with different colours and flavours. It has been made in eight flavours – grape, lime, mango, guava, orange, pomegranate, apple and jamun,” said P. Vijayanand, Chief Scientist, Fruits and Vegetable Technology Division, CFTRI, Mysuru. He said that the product is expected to hit the market in December with an entrepreneur from Mysuru having availed a licence from the institute for commercialising the technology.
The fizz in the drink attracts the youth besides driving the consumption of fruit juices among all age groups and improving nutritional quality owing to the presence of fruit pulp, he added.
Carbonated fruit juices were a natural source of fruit solids, pigments, minerals and vitamins and had thirst quenching properties. The beverages can be packed in glass or food grade PET containers or cans.
