The Farm Bill’s recent passing gives a green light for products to include hemp extracts. The legalization of hemp couldn’t come at a better time, as functional beverages—especially those deriving their benefits from plant sources—are rising in popularity.
Hemp’s “halo” has positioned the plant as a health and wellness powerhouse—an ingredient that shows promise for helping with inflammation, relaxation and better focus. With so many benefits, it’s easy to see why this newest superfood has found its way into so many beverage categories.
But as beverage developers looking at new and novel ingredients, there are a few key questions we have to ask ourselves first.