Cherry Juices Ripen Their Superfruit Status

Cherries have long been appreciated for their taste, but growing evidence about their health benefits is now putting them squarely in the frame for “superfruit” status and they are increasingly being used in juices and juice drink blends. Although orange and apple still dominate globally, ahead of mango and grape, cherry did feature in about 7 % of the juice and juice drink launches recorded by Innova Market Insights (www.innovadatabase.com) in 2011, up from 4 % five years previously.

While a significant number of these launches are in the form of blends with other juices, particularly apple, but also berries and other red fruits, we are also increasingly seeing pure cherry juice products. This is usually occurring on a premium platform, and sometimes specifying the type of cherry, not just sour or tart, but also varieties such as Montmorency.

Research has established that cherries, particularly sour or tart cherries, have a high antioxidant content, and that claim is increasingly being used. Newer research, focusing on potential benefits in terms of reducing inflammation, painkilling properties and improving sleep quality is being published and publicized, and may already be adding impetus to sales, as consumer awareness rises.

Developments have been particularly marked in the US, where tart cherries are a traditional American fruit. North American accounted for 16 % of juice drink launches containing cherry, but as well as the more traditional blended products, there have been an increasing number focusing on more specialist cherry juice lines with a strong health image. Cherry is also becoming a more popular flavor in launches in Europe, accounting for over 50 % of the 2011 global total, led by the UK and Germany.

“Cherry juices are clearly increasing in popularity and increasingly carrying a ‘superfruits’ branding in the wake of a growing body of research linking sour cherries to a whole range of health benefits”, says Lu Ann Williams, Research Manager for Innova Market Insights.

“This, combined with their unique sweet-sour taste properties, looks set to boost demand and carry cherries still further up the rankings in terms of soft drinks flavor use”, she concludes.