Nourish the Thought

Our Five Cents-Ladys and Gentlemen, the Mangosteen

The mangosteen is here and is fighting its way into the fruit mainstream.  If you search the web you can find countless articles of people searching high and low for this gorgeous tropical and slightly mysterious fruit.  I was recently at a Asian market and found several products containing mangosteens from canned segments to pure mangosteen juice.  If you do not have access to Asian markets try your local health food store, you may be able to purchase the juice.  I urge you to go out and try to find the juice, combine it with apple juice or any other of your favorite juices to make your own signature healthy beverage.  Don't be the last kid on the block to tried mangosteens and their products, go out and get it today.

Your Five Senses - Lady's and Gentlemen, the Mangosteen

As of July 23, 2007 the FDA lifted the ban on the Mangosteen, but its actually been around longer.  This strange and mysterious fruit from the South Pacific is starting to find its way into more mainstream beverages.  The credit for first opening the eyes of the American public was a Utah based company that introduced Xango, a beverage consisting of Mangosteen juice.  Before then the Mangosteen was only being served as a dessert delicacy in high end fine dining establishments.  Even then restaurants had to source the fruit through a Puetro Rican company that handled small volume orders.

The debate is being waged in the scientific community as we speak about the health or non health benefits for the Mangosteen.  The arils or seeds are said to have a high amount of Xanthones, which has anti-cancer properties.  The mangosteen's arils only contain one of the qualities of the so called "Superfruits, that being Xanthones. Mangosteen's rind however has several properties.  People in the South Pacific have used the rind for anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and antiseptic reasons for centuries.

Whether or not it is found to have "Superfruit" qualities, the Mangosteen has made its splash among the health conscious public and we will continue to see more and more food and beverage products contain this mysterious and much debated tropical fruit.  We encourage you to go out and try a Mangosteen flavored drink and send back your thoughts and a picture of that drink so we can share with everyone.

Food Tool for the Week: Superfoods

Nebulous Definition -
The term “superfood” has no governmental mandates, but is loosely defined as a natural food product that is “power packed” – meaning it is dense in nutrients, is loaded with antioxidants and has a higher level of associated health benefits.

Superfoods! It’s a wonderful word, full of promise and delight. Heck, even Oprah & Forbes have a top 10 superfoods list, engaging consumers with information on foods they suggest for optimum healthy lifestyles. Saying it sounds good for you and makes you feel healthier and more empowered with every breath. The benefits are endless, but the perception is legendary. How does that perception translate into strategic positioning for your clients, as the word itself is somewhat nebulous and has been built on perception? Can anyone raise their hand and truly say why a particular superfood should be part of a consumer’s healthy lifestyle, or better yet – an integral ingredient in a client’s new product launch (millions of $ at stake by the way, no pressure). Point is, the conceptual point of difference is always more difficult and expensive to create.

Superfoods! It’s a wonderful word, full of promise and delight. Heck, even Oprah & Forbes have a top 10 superfoods list, engaging consumers with information on foods they suggest for optimum healthy lifestyles. Saying it sounds good for you and makes you feel healthier and more empowered with every breath. The benefits are endless, but the perception is legendary. How does that perception translate into strategic positioning for your clients, as the word itself is somewhat nebulous and has been built on perception? Can anyone raise their hand and truly say why a particular superfood should be part of a consumer’s healthy lifestyle, or better yet – an integral ingredient in a client’s new product launch (millions of $ at stake by the way, no pressure). Point is, the conceptual point of difference is always more difficult and expensive to create.

Superfoods! It’s a wonderful word, full of promise and delight. Heck, even Oprah & Forbes have a top 10 superfoods list, engaging consumers with information on foods they suggest for optimum healthy lifestyles. Saying it sounds good for you and makes you feel healthier and more empowered with every breath. The benefits are endless, but the perception is legendary. How does that perception translate into strategic positioning for your clients, as the word itself is somewhat nebulous and has been built on perception? Can anyone raise their hand and truly say why a particular superfood should be part of a consumer’s healthy lifestyle, or better yet – an integral ingredient in a client’s new product launch (millions of $ at stake by the way, no pressure). Point is, the conceptual point of difference is always more difficult and expensive to create.