Scientists have revealed a web of interactions among bacterial species are necessary for the coexistence of health-promoting microbes in the popular fermented milk drink, kefir.
Malaysian kefir specialist firm MayKef says it is proudly taking a ‘health over taste’ approach to its production and marketing as it seeks to extol the virtues of goat’s milk and coconut milk kefir over traditional dairy.
The fermented beverages sector in the Asia Pacific region is on the cusp of a boom due to its health and wellness properties from gut health to immunity boosting, factors that consumers are looking out for even more amid COVID-19.
The combination of a paraprobiotic derived from kefir and a prebiotic obtained from grape seed flour has been found to have anti-obesity effects in a mouse model.
Indian start-up Kefir Culture is aiming to improve public health and targeting local expansion with its own twist on kefir, a traditional fermented beverage known for its gut health benefits.
Indian functional product firm MO's Superfoods is aiming for growth in India and Australia with its probiotic-enriched kefir products, but is first trying to overcome local cold-chain supply hurdles.
Texture will be one of 2018's defining trends, especially textures from natural processing techniques such as fermentation and baking - and Europe is already leading the way for global launches, according to Mintel.