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 comprising a bitterant in an amount sufficient to reduce the lingering sweet aftertaste of the non-nutritive sweetener(s). In certain illustrative embodiments, the bitterant comprises gentian. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method that combines a non-nutritive sweetener having a lingering sweet aftertaste with a bitterant to create a mixture such that when the mixture is contained in a beverage, the bitterant is present in an amount sufficient to reduce the lingering sweet aftertaste of the non-nutritive sweetener.

Abstract: Fading of synthetically colored beverages is prevented using botanically derived color stabilizers which are C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl compounds which contain both (i) unsaturation and (ii) oxidation at a carbon atom.

Abstract: A beverage product is disclosed that includes water, a color derived from natural sources or its synthetic equivalent, and a color fading inhibitor including a compound selected from the group consisting of enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ), rutin and myricitrin, and optionally fumaric acid. The incorporation of EMIQ can be particularly useful for inhibiting color fading of the beverage product exposed to UV light radiation. The colors derived from natural sources may be beta-carotene, black carrot and/or natural apple extract. The EMIQ can be effective to prevent color fading even in the presence of ascorbic acid, which promotes the fading of colors derived from natural sources. In addition, a method is provided for inhibiting fading of colors derived from natural sources in a beverage composition.

Abstract: Taste of a non-nutritive steviol glycoside sweetener is improved by using anisic acid in an amount sufficient to mask the metallic aftertaste of the non-nutritive steviol glycoside sweetener when the sweetener is contained in a beverage, beverage concentrate or syrup, or reduced calorie sweetener.

Abstract: A combination of a sugar alcohol and D-tagatose is used to produce naturally sweetened, diet beverages or food products. The sugar alcohol and D-tagatose can also be used in combination with one or more nutritive sweeteners to lower the calories of a full-calorie beverage or food product while preserving the taste.

Abstract: A combination of one or more non-nutritive sweeteners, a sugar alcohol and D-tagatose are included in a zero- or low-calorie beverage or food product to achieve a taste substantially similar to that of a full-calorie beverage or food product. The combination is suitable for use in zero- or low-calorie frozen carbonated beverages.

Abstract: A tea beverage product that includes at least one tea component as well as coumalic acid or its salt to inhibit non-enzymatic browning of the tea beverage product. The tea component may be a green tea component, red tea component, black tea component, white tea component or a blend of tea components. The coumalic acid may be present in an amount less than 100 ppm. Alternatively, a coumalate may be employed, which will undergo hydrolysis within the tea beverage or concentrate product to form coumalic acid. In addition, a method for inhibiting non-enzymatic browning, by adding at least one of coumalic acid, a coumalic acid salt or a coumalate to a tea beverage composition.

Abstract: A beverage product that includes water, a color derived from natural sources, and a compound in an effective amount to inhibit fading of the color derived from natural sources. The compound is an unsaturated acid, and may be selected from the group consisting of maleic acid, maleic anhydride, aconitic acid, mesaconic acid, itaconic acid, and/or fumaric acid. The incorporation of the compound can be particularly useful for inhibiting color fading of the beverage product under thermal stress. The colors derived from natural sources may be an anthocyanin, cyclohexene dione dimers and/or a color derived from the reaction of an iridoid and amino acids. For example, the colors may include purple sweet potato, black carrot, purple carrot, black currant, blueberry, carthamus yellow, and/or gardenia blue. The compound can be effective to prevent color fading even in the presence of ascorbic acid, which promotes the fading of colors derived from natural sources.

Abstract: Taste of a non-nutritive steviol glycoside sweetener is improved by using anisic acid in an amount sufficient to mask the metallic aftertaste of the non-nutritive steviol glycoside sweetener when the sweetener is contained in a beverage, beverage concentrate or syrup, or reduced calorie sweetener.

Abstract: Taste of a non-nutritive steviol glycoside sweetener is improved by using anisic acid in an amount sufficient to mask the metallic aftertaste of the non-nutritive steviol glycoside sweetener when the sweetener is contained in a beverage, beverage concentrate or syrup, or reduced calorie sweetener.

Abstract: A method for ameliorating organoleptic and sensate properties and characteristics imparted to a product by natural high-potency sweetener. A fraction of an essential oil that boils and is recovered from the vapors at a temperature between about 50° C. and about 70° C. and at pressure between about 100 Pa and 1500 Pa, or at a temperature between about 110° C. and about 130° C. and at pressure between about 100 Pa and 1500 Pa, is added to the product.

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 comprising a bitterant in an amount sufficient to reduce the lingering sweet aftertaste of the non-nutritive sweetener(s). In certain illustrative embodiments, the bitterant comprises gentian. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method that combines a non-nutritive sweetener having a lingering sweet aftertaste with a bitterant to create a mixture such that when the mixture is contained in a beverage, the bitterant is present in an amount sufficient to reduce the lingering sweet aftertaste of the non-nutritive sweetener.

Abstract: A vitamin fortified composition comprising vitamin stabilizers which are C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl compounds to prevent the degradation of the vitamins is provided. In addition, a method of preventing the degradation of vitamins in a vitamin fortified composition is provided.

Abstract: A beverage product that includes water, a color derived from natural sources, and a compound in an effective amount to inhibit fading of the color derived from natural sources. The compound is an unsaturated acid, and may be selected from the group consisting of maleic acid, maleic anhydride, aconitic acid, mesaconic acid, itaconic acid, and/or fumaric acid. The incorporation of the compound can be particularly useful for inhibiting color fading of the beverage product under thermal stress. The colors derived from natural sources may be an anthocyanin, cyclohexene dione dimers and/or a color derived from the reaction of an iridoid and amino acids. For example, the colors may include purple sweet potato, black carrot, purple carrot, black currant, blueberry, carthamus yellow, and/or gardenia blue. The compound can be effective to prevent color fading even in the presence of ascorbic acid, which promotes the fading of colors derived from natural sources.

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 bitterant compound in an amount sufficient to reduce the lingering sweet aftertaste of the non-nutritive sweetener(s). In certain illustrative embodiments, the non-nutritive sweetener(s) may be one or more of the following: a steviol glycoside, Lo Han Guo, thaumatin, monatin, monellin, brazzein, sucralose. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method that combines a non-nutritive sweetener having a lingering sweet aftertaste with a bitterant compound to create a mixture such that when the mixture is contained in a beverage, the bitterant compound is present in an amount sufficient to reduce the lingering sweet aftertaste of the non-nutritive sweetener.

Abstract: A tea beverage product that includes at least one tea component as well as coumalic acid or its salt to inhibit non-enzymatic browning of the tea beverage product. The tea component may be a green tea component, red tea component, black tea component, white tea component or a blend of tea components. The coumalic acid may be present in an amount less than 100 ppm. Alternatively, a coumalate may be employed, which will undergo hydrolysis within the tea beverage or concentrate product to form coumalic acid. In addition, a method for inhibiting non-enzymatic browning, by adding at least one of coumalic acid, a coumalic acid salt or a coumalate to a tea beverage composition.

Abstract: A combination of one or more non-nutritive sweeteners, a sugar alcohol and D-tagatose are included in a zero- or low-calorie beverage or food product to achieve a taste substantially similar to that of a full-calorie beverage or food product. The combination is suitable for use in zero- or low-calorie frozen carbonated beverages.

Abstract: A combination of one or more non-nutritive sweeteners, a sugar alcohol and D-tagatose are included in a zero- or low-calorie beverage or food product to achieve a taste substantially similar to that of a full-calorie beverage or food product. The combination is suitable for use in zero- or low-calorie frozen carbonated beverages.

Abstract: Non-alcoholic carbonated beverage compositions have been formulated to incorporate polyphenolic compounds, such as oligomeric polyphenolic compounds or bioflavonoids. Carbonated beverage compositions including polyphenolic compounds were discovered to exhibit the effervescence of small bubbles without the presence of carbonation produced via fermentation. Xanthan gum and juice are optionally included in the beverage compositions to provide a synergistic effect with the polyphenolic compound on the carbonation effervescence.

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.