Abstract: Beverage compositions sweetened with at least one non-nutritive sweetener, such as a compound from the stevia plant, including steviol glycosides, e.g., rebaudiosides such as Rebaudioside A, stevioside, etc. Lo Han Guo (LHG) juice concentrate is present in an amount sufficient to enhance the mouthfeel of the beverage, yet not affect the taste. Non-nutritive sweetened beverage compositions, natural beverage compositions, and beverage concentrates incorporating steviosides and LHG juice concentrate are provided. In addition, a method for including LHG juice concentrate in a beverage formulation to enhance the mouthfeel of a beverage sweetened with a compound from the stevia plant is provided.

Abstract: Up-front sweetness of a potent sweetener in a beverage, beverage concentrate or syrup, or reduced calorie sweetener is improved, wherein the sweetener is selected from the group consisting of steviol glycosides, Lo Han Guo and combinations of any of them. Up-front sweetness is improved by incorporating in the formulation ammoniated glycyrrhizine in an amount sufficient to increase the perceived up-front sweetness.

Abstract: Cola, reduced calorie cola, and diet cola beverage products and methods for making the same are disclosed. The cola beverages comprise water, at least one sweetener, an acidulant comprising lactic acid and at least one of tartaric and citric acids, a colorant comprising caramel class I and concentrated apple extract, and cola flavor.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to beverage compositions, including, for example, concentrated and ready-to-drink beverages, sweetened with at least one non-nutritive sweetener and further including at least one tea extract in an amount sufficient to reduce the off-note taste of the non-nutritive sweetener. In certain embodiments, the tea extract comprises one or more extracts of tea selected from the group consisting of: black tea, oolong tea, green tea, white tea, herbal tea, and citrus tea.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to beverage compositions, including, for example, concentrated and ready-to-drink formulations sweetened with at least a steviol glycoside and further including an LHG juice, extract or combinations thereof in an amount sufficient to reduce the lingering bitter taste of the steviol glycoside and improve the mouthfeel of the beverage. In exemplary embodiments, additional sweeteners are utilized in the beverage in addition to the LHG juice and the steviol glycoside. In other exemplary aspects, LHG powder of mogroside v content from 2 to 99% by weight may be utilized in lieu of or in addition to the LHG juice concentrate. In certain exemplary embodiments having additional non-nutritive sweeteners, the amount of LHG composition is sufficient to reduce one or more off-note tastes of one or more of the additional sweeteners.

Abstract: Beverage compositions including a steviol glycoside and a berry component are provided. Beverage concentrate compositions including a steviol glycoside and a berry component are provided.

Abstract: Beverage products are provided which include rebaudioside A, erythritol, and an acid component. The beverage product has a titratable acidity in the range of about 8.75 to about 10.25, and a pH in the range of about 2.8 to about 3.3. Beverage products disclosed herein achieve a proper sweet/tart ratio to increase sweetness and to reduce tartness and bitterness of beverages made with natural sweeteners.

Abstract: Diet cola beverages and methods for making the same are disclosed. The diet cola beverages comprise water, at least one natural, high potency, non-nutritive sweetener, at least one natural, low potency, low calorie sweetener, an acidulant comprising at least one of lactic, citric, tartaric, malic, fumaric, cinnamic, maleic, adipic, glutaric, and succinic acids, a caramel colorant, and cola flavor.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to beverage compositions, including, for example, concentrated and ready-to-drink formulations sweetened with at least one non-nutritive sweetener and further including a long chain fatty acid compound in an amount sufficient to reduce the off-note taste of the non-nutritive sweetener. In certain embodiments, the long chain fatty acid may be one or more of the following: lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, behenic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, erucic acid, adipic acid, and palmitic acid. In certain exemplary embodiments, a plurality of different long chain fatty acids are utilized. In another embodiments, the long chain fatty acids comprise both natural and synthetic fatty acids.

Abstract: A method of coating a label, such as a ceramic ink label, on a container includes the use of a coating material that will serve as a barrier to prevent migration or permeation of the ink and the components of the ink from the label through the coating barrier. The coating will prevent the label from wearing, scuffing, or rubbing off as well as improve the label's resistance to repeated handling. The method also includes application of a coating that may be washed off prior to refilling and reusing the container, without affecting the underlying label or ink components of the label. The coating may also make the label more aesthetically appealing to a consumer.