Prepared Teas & Coffees
Ready-to-drink teas and coffees offer the functionality of prepared drinks with the convenience of an on-the-go cold beverage.
Ingredients
Ready-to-drink teas and coffees may contain the following ingredients:
Brewed Tea or Coffee, concentrate and powders
Tea leaves or brewed coffee beans are a source of caffeine, a mild stimulant found in many various plants, seeds, and fruits. Water can also be removed from the tea or coffee to create a concentrate that is reconstituted later. Concentrates help standardize these beverages for a more consistent flavour.
Sweeteners
These include sweetening agents such as sugar, honey, and high-fructose corn syrup.
Low-calorie sweeteners
These are used in place of full-calorie sweeteners to add sweetness with fewer calories. The low-calorie sweeteners typically used in beverages in Canada are: acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), aspartame, sucralose, and stevia.
Flavours
Commonly used in many drinks to enhance taste. Can include vanilla, chocolate, and caramel flavours in coffee or fruit flavours in iced tea.
Dairy
Can include cream, milk, condensed skim milk, milk powder and others. Dairy is sometimes added to iced coffee to make a latte or tea to make a milk tea. These beverages have a milder flavour and creamier mouthfeel than regular iced coffee or tea.
Gelling Agents
Some examples inclulde gellan gum and pectin. These ingredients can be used to thicken and stabilize these beverages. They improve mouth-feel and help prevent the beverage from separating.
pH Adjusters
These include ingredients such as ascorbic acid, citric acid and potassium carbonate. The help add tartness to the flavour and also bring the beverage to a safe pH level to reduce microbial growth.