Starting an energy drink company is easier than most people think. Contract manufactures eliminate the need for most equipment. The most important thing to consider when developing an energy drink is creating a brand identity. However, before creating a brand, the energy drink company must know the target demographic. It is easier to develop a better beverage that speaks to consumers and can connect with it. The target demographic may dictate everything from the packaging design to the flavor of a product. Understanding the customer is the first step in successful beverage development. Ingredients Due to their ingredients, energy drinks have a variety of physiological and psychological effects, improving mental and cognitive performances as well as increasing alertness, subjectively. The caffeine content of energy drinks is a major selling point to many customers. Generally, energy drinks include methylxanthines, vitamin B and herbs. Other common ingredients are guarana, acai and taurine, plus various forms of ginseng, maltodextrin, carbonated water, inositol, carnitine, creatine, glucuronolactone and ginkgo biloba. Some contain high levels of sugar, while other brands offer artificially sweetened "diet" versions. When choosing a beverage manufacturer it is important to know what type of product processing, packaging and closure the beverage manufacturer offers. Identifying the correct manufacturer that can handle both the processing and the packaging requires significant up front research. Once one identifies a beverage manufacturer that can support the filling processes, packaging and closures requirements for the beverage product, the next important thing to think about is location. It is important to choose a beverage manufacturer that is geographically convenient for the distribution network. Selection of the right beverage distributor can lead to good sales. Beverage distributors are the fastest way to get a beverage on the shelves of major retailers and in many instances, are the only way. Some distributors have great relationships with their retailers and get instant distribution of thousands of accounts, provided the brand offers the necessary marketing support the new beverage. In the dynamic beverage can industry of today, advanced printing technology allows some can manufacturers to print on cans almost as well as they can on paper labels. This has made the aluminum can a more popular choice than ever for beverage manufacturers. Sleek beverage cans are increasingly popular in the industry because they utilize innovative shapes to attract the attention of consumers. The latest production technologies can produce asymmetrical designs, in different sizes and shapes, with fine detail and significant expansion capability. An aluminum beverage can has an internal coating to prevent the contents from coming in direct contact with the aluminum, thereby maintaining the integrity of the beverage.

Drink Flavors

Consumer preferences have become increasingly complex. This is especially true in the beverage industry, where there is an ample offering of products, each with differing flavor profiles. Research and development teams work diligently to stay on top of consumer trends. Beverage industry experts have a library of flavors that address cultural preferences. A drink flavor that is very popular in Japan may not successfully penetrate the United States marketplace. Relying strongly on sensory research, the beverage industry employs teams of scientists, food specialists and taste testers who experiment with drink flavors to find those best suited to meet the needs of varying demographics. Taste, smell and texture are some of the more important attributes that testers analyze and rate. All ingredients in drink flavors and formulations must meet FDA guidelines and regulations. Beverage industry experts will be aware of these requirements and will make sure that products meet these guidelines. Qualified beverage experts will also be aware of international regulations and ensure products comply. When working with beverage flavors, modifiers enhance the taste of a beverage while other agents mask unpleasant tastes often associated with vitamins, herbs or other ingredients. By using the right mix of beverage flavors and natural ingredients, developers can balance taste profiles and health benefits. Developers use natural and artificial flavorings together to achieve a desirable flavor profile for a drink. Natural ingredients are those whose flavoring originates from a natural source such as a vegetable, fruit or raw animal materials. A laboratory synthetically produces artificial flavorings. Shelf life affects the formulation of beverage flavors. A shelf-stable beverage may not require refrigeration but its ingredients can affect its shelf life. Some beverage flavors require refrigeration to preserve quality and flavor. Drink flavors can be complex, combining many ingredients to produce a product that delivers a favorable sensory experience.