Expo West 2016 Debut: RiceBran Technologies launches smoothie-on-the-go NukaCha
“What makes our NukaCha Shake 'N Go special is that our bottles are very light,” Joon Park, VP of Sales and Marketing at RiceBran Technologies, told FoodNavigator-USA at Expo West 2016. “We have powder in there. All the nutrients, vitamins, probiotics—you just need to add water and shake, and go.”
Nuka means rice bran in Japanese, and Cha means tea in many Asian languages. “It’s a combination of rice bran and green tea,” Park said. According to a press release from RiceBran technologies, the powder is a source of “non-GMO, gluten-free, non-allergenic, and vegan proteins, fiber, carbohydrates, and healthy fat.” A probiotic option adds powdered Greek Yogurt into the mix.
The company’s market analysis found that smoothie drinkers, more than 50 percent of whom range in age from 18 to 34, want smoothies that offer personalization, transparency, convenience, and healthy ingredients and sugar alternatives. “Consumers in the rapidly growing smoothie market want convenience, flexibility and choice. They are interested in healthy ingredients and want the flexibility to blend with water, coconut water, juice or even add additional ingredients,” a press release said.
RiceBran Technologies is producing the bottled powder under its own house brand, Shake 'N Go NukaCha, as well as a line of white label products.
