You may be noticing more purple food and beverages in restaurants, cafes and grocery aisles. Vegetables like purple carrots, potatoes, corn, cauliflower, and ube (yam) are being used in more products, but beets are undoubtedly the rising star of the purple food and beverage trend. The vibrant vegetable is chock full of health benefits, can be used as a clean label alternative to red food coloring, and appeals to consumers in a range of formats from salads to smoothies to chips.

Consumers are seeking better-for-you food and beverages, and ingredients that offer inherent benefits are definitely a draw. Beets are rich in nutrients like B vitamins, iron, manganese, copper, magnesium, and potassium, which can increase circulation in the body and lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, enhance cognition, and improve digestion.
These are some of the innovative ways beets are being used in the market right now:

Beet Eats

Forager Organic Vegetable Chips Beets

Beet Reuben from Spinning J

Freeze Dried Beets

Beetroot Ketchup

Sipping Beets

Love Beets Organic Beet Juice with Ginger

Blue Print Cold Pressed Juice

Beet It SportBeet Juice Shot

Bru Bone Broth Beet Blush

The purple superfood can also be used to add color to food and beverages naturally. Beet juice and beet juice powder are water soluble, and provide a vibrant red-violet hue. However, there are challenges to consider when using beets as a substitute for artificial red food coloring like heat processing and shelf life stability.

For more information, email us at thedrinktank@imbibeinc.com.