26-3 |
Traditional beverages of the Caribbean |
A. GORDON, Technological Solution Ltd., 7 1/2 Retirement Rd., Kingston 5, West Indies, Jamaica The beverages of the Caribbean have always been among the defining cultural elements of its people. The range, functionality, quality and uniqueness of flavour of our beverages forms a part of the Caribbean experience for millions of visitors from North America and Europe. Several, such as Tia Maria Liqueur, Angostura Bitters, Blue Mountain Coffee and Red Stripe Beer already have a growing international customer base. Many other traditional and newer beverages are also beginning to attract similar attention and are moving from local, cottage-industry based production into commercial, higher-volume production as they establish market share in their domestic, regional and fledgling export markets. Caribbean beverages have been derived from the unique heritage of the region that has seen the harmonious blending of cultures from Africa, Northern and Southern Europe and Asia. This has influenced tastes in beers, soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices, coffee and other hot beverages and the range of functional and natural beverages present throughout the region. While each country is unique, all produce beverages with desirable, “new”, unique, though distinctly Caribbean flavours, several with acknowledged health benefits. Drinks such as Mauby (from Colubrima elliptica), Mango (Mangifera indica), West Indian Cherry drink (Acerola) and Seamoss (from Graciliaria vellucosa and Chondrus crispus) are common throughout the region. The traditional Coconut water and Sorrel are growing in prominence and many traditional health- and wellness- beverages are making their way onto retail shelves regionally. The range of production technologies being used has fueled an explosion in variety and increased exports. These range from traditional bottling/canning, to aseptic processing and the extensive use of plastics. Among these are dehydrated beverages (hot and cold), dairy and soy-based beverages and all-natural drinks, all with growing export markets. This paper will discuss product range, types, origin, production technology and marketing issues for Caribbean beverages.
Session 26, Traditional beverages from Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean and their marketability to the U.S. consumers
|