Why Choose Food Research Lab's FRL as Your Food Product Development (FPD) Consultant and Partner?

There are several options in almost every product area in today’s market, and the difficulty is in coming up with unique items that stand out and connect with customers. Food Research Lab's Food Research Lab takes a holistic approach to creating food and beverage products. We define, demographically target, and build effective goods through a sequential process for category selection and comprehension. The client can visit the lab to learn the process. We offer unlimited rounds of revisions to ensure customer satisfaction. The final product prototype, along with the documentation process, including the video (through email), will be shipped to the client, and in case the client is not satisfied with the video, a food technology consultant will visit the place for the product demo at the client’s costs.

What are the different forms that you deliver the Food Product Formulations?

The food industry is witnessing a new form of consumption. Keeping that in mind, we can formulate the products in the form of ready-to-eat, ready-to-drink, ready-to-mix, ready-to-serve, and ready-to-cook food products. We use ingredients that offer an added value to the development and improve its indulgence and sustainability in terms of its functional ingredients, plant-based food dyes, and natural preservatives with a clean label.

What are the sectors Food Research Lab cover?

We cover a wide range of sectors such as soups, sauces and dips, chips, tortillas, dry beverage powder, plant-based products, masalas, puddings, instant mixes and many more.

How is sensory testing been carried out?

Our sensory examination leads to the precise formulation and recipe recommendations. We develop data-driven design models based on sensory research and customer insights. The fact-based design methodology used by Food Research Lab reduces risk and gives our clients market confidence while cutting development time in half. With our dedicated sensory lab facility, our team takes satisfaction in creating and optimizing successful products in the marketplace, generating a favourable return on investment, and developing brand advocates.

The functional beverage industry, considered one of the fastest-growing industries, encompasses energy drinks, sports drinks, herbal beverages, and similar drinks infused with bioactive compounds like vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, and herbal extracts. Energy drinks generally contain caffeine, taurine, extracts of herbs, and B vitamins that are primarily used to enhance mental alertness and physical endurance; on the other hand, functional beverages containing ascorbic acid, vitamin C, and other antioxidants essentially promote well-being. In the case of herbal beverages, being natural antioxidants helps prevent oxidative harm to the cells; however, product formulation must be done with great care, as elevated concentration of these herbal compounds may lead to other forms of toxicity. Health-conscious consumption has taken the globe by storm; hence the demand for drinks that are natural and more wellness-oriented is growing, especially in UAE, where the consumers tend to go out of their way to look for healthier alternatives. With rising awareness about traditional herbs and extracts, the beverage companies are constantly innovating towards producing items that reflect the evolution of health trends and consumer preferences. [1]

Herbal Beverage Development: FRL’s Science-Backed Solutions for UAE Consumers

Regulation, Latest News . Mar 25, 2025

The functional beverage industry, considered one of the fastest-growing industries, encompasses energy drinks, sports drinks, herbal beverages, and similar drinks infused with bioactive compounds like vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, and herbal extracts. Energy drinks generally contain caffeine, taurine, extracts of herbs, and B vitamins that are primarily used to enhance mental alertness and physical endurance; on the other hand, functional beverages containing ascorbic acid, vitamin C, and other antioxidants essentially promote well-being.

In the case of herbal beverages, being natural antioxidants helps prevent oxidative harm to the cells; however, product formulation must be done with great care, as elevated concentration of these herbal compounds may lead to other forms of toxicity. Health-conscious consumption has taken the globe by storm; hence the demand for drinks that are natural and more wellness-oriented is growing, especially in UAE, where the consumers tend to go out of their way to look for healthier alternatives. With rising awareness about traditional herbs and extracts, the beverage companies are constantly innovating towards producing items that reflect the evolution of health trends and consumer preferences. [1]

Herbal Medicine Usage and Dosage Forms Among UAE Consumers

A study on herbal medicine consumption in the UAE revealed ginger (15.6%), aloe vera (14.6%), black seed (14.4%), thyme (8.7%), and chamomile (8.4%) as the most commonly used herbal products. Other frequently used herbal medicines included cough syrup (11.4%), Mebo ointment (8.2%), ginseng (2.7%), senna (2.6%), and Gingko Biloba (2.6%).

Herbal Medicine Usage and Dosage Forms Among UAE Consumers

The UK functional food market is now rapidly growing. With several benefits seen by the consumers boost purchases considering nutrition and personalized health options, coupled with advances in technology regarding food production, functional foods are fortified with probiotics, antioxidants, and bioactive components to increase the health potentials of improving immunity, gut health, cognition, and overall well-being. [2]

Regarding dosage forms, tea (25.2%) was the most preferred, followed by syrup/solution (20.5%), oil (19.3%), ointments/creams (13.1%), capsules (6.7%), and tablets (6.3%). While herbal medicine is widely used, some users reported side effects, which varied based on the type of herbal medicine consumed. These findings provide valuable insights for Food Research Lab in developing herbal formulations tailored to UAE consumer preferences while ensuring safety and efficacy.

Food Research Lab: Innovating Herbal Beverages for the UAE Market

Creating scientifically formulated herbal beverages for the distinct consumer preferences in the UAE. Combining cutting-edge research with traditional wisdom of herbal medicine, we are developing stable, efficacious, and regulatory-compliant beverage formulations. Our expertise ensures that brands can deliver innovation, catering to health trends and market demand, thereby enabling the provision of functional beverages to consumers in support of their health and unhealthy lifestyles.

The demand for herbal beverages is soaring in the UAE

The beverage industry in the UAE is undergoing a paradigm shift as consumers head towards healthier, plant-based drinks, feeling turned off by sugary and artificial counterparts. The demand for herbal beverages can be driven by several key factors:

Health and Wellness Trends: Exactly what kind of immunity-boosting detoxifying relief from stress beverages are in demand.
Cultural Preference for Herbal Ingredients: Traditional herbs like saffron, cardamom, ginger, and hibiscus are deeply ingrained in their culture and Middle Eastern tradition.

Rising Awareness of Functional Beverages: The demand for drinks with health-enhancing properties, such as digestive aide or energizing stimulation, is increasing day by day.
Government Regulations on Sugar Reduction: More taxes were laid by the UAE Government on sugary drinks and this prompted brands to come up with much healthier drink options. [2] [3]

Key Herbal Ingredients for Consumers in the UAE

FRL unearths and integrates herbal ingredients for consumer application here in UAE, not forgetting the local relevance of the ingredients. Here are some of the exemplary herbal ingredients:

Saffron (Crocus sativus)
The “golden spice” refers to saffron, which has been mainly used within Middle Eastern culinary products and herbal drinks. The act of its antioxidant, mood-enhancing, and anti-inflammatory properties are the purported applications of saffron.
Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
Hibiscus tea is a delicious drink that is naturally caffeine-free and high in vitamin C and antioxidant properties. It regulates blood pressure as well as improving heart health.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
A strong traditional remedy, ginger is very powerful and effective against anti-inflammatory and digestive. It is a very common ingredient in herbal infusions, immunity boosters, and detox drinks.
Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
Valued for its digestive and detoxifying effects, Cardamom also spices up herbal teas, pairing well with many other spices.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Chamomile tea is known to be relaxing and thus able to induce sleep. It is excellent for relaxation from stress.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Rich in curcumin, turmeric has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It has been used in golden milk as well as an immunity booster and joint health supplement in herbal infusions.
Mint (Mentha species)
Mint is a flavor well known in the United Arab Emirates for its popularizing cooling drink serving beside digestive benefits and refreshment. [4] [5]

Herbal Beverage Development: Proof-Based FRL Solution

At FRL, we pursue a systematic yet scientific approach to the development of herbal beverages to make our products validated scientifically, shelf-stable, and attractive to the market in the UAE.

Market Research & Consumer Insights
- For example, local understanding brings consumer differences to their dietary habits and flavor preferences.
- Identification of popular trending herbal ingredients and functional beverage spaces
Ingredient Selection & Functional Benefits
- Evaluation of the plant extracts, how they interface with the human body, and the possible combinations that are synergistic
- Procured, high-quality, organic, and sustainable herbal ingredients for the formulation
Formulation Development & Optimization
- Futuristic Beverage Formulation using Food Technology Innovation
- Balancing between taste versus nutrition versus shelf-life stability
- Retain maximum bioactive compounds through optimal extraction methods
Sensory Evaluation & Taste Profiling
- Sensory analysis is carried out to evaluate and fine-tune taste, texture, and aroma.
- Incorporates natural sweeteners, as well as flavor enhancers, to naturalize in accordance to the UAE sweet preferences.
Stability Testing & Quality Assurance
- Microbiological, physicochemical, and shelf-life studies
- It is the purpose of making sure the beverage stays stable under UAE conditions.
Compliance with the UAE Food Regulations
- All the guidelines laid down by the UAE food regulatory authorities meet.
- There are clean-label claims such as “no artificial preservatives” and “sugar-free”. [6]

Different Formats of Herbal Beverage in UAE

Different formats of herbal beverages are available to meet different needs of the consumers. FRL develops customized solutions for:

Herbal Tea and Infusions: Traditional blends of hibiscus ginger and chamomile
Functional Detox Drinks: Fortified with turmeric, mint, and fennel for gut health
Immunity-Boosting Shots: Concentrated herbal formulations with vitamin C-rich extracts
Cold-pressed Herbal Juices: Saffron, lemon, and honey blend for hydration and energy
Caffeine-Free Herbal Alternatives: Herbal coffee replacement by chicory and ginseng [7] [8]

Innovation in Herbal-beverage Development

Continuous Innovation by FRL towards innovating in herbal beverages and developing formulations unique to the UAE consumers. Some of the recent innovations include:

Nano-Encapsulation Technology: To increase the bioavailability of herbal extracts
Adaptogenic Beverages: Stress relieving herb with ashwagandha and holy basil.
Sugar-Free & Low-Calorie Options: It uses sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit, and date.
Carbonated Herbal Drinks: Infused with botanicals, sparkling beverages for freshness. [9] [10]

Conclusion

It holds great potential for the brand, for it is coming up with well-marketed science-backed innovations in the products that will be launched in the UAE market, which has significantly raised the demand for herbal beverages. Food Research Lab is working hard to bring traditional herbal formulations into modern functional beverages that satisfy the consumer.

Also, research-driven formulation, innovative extraction, and indicating regulatory readiness ensure that FRL help the brands to develop top-quality, stable, and market-ready herbal beverages for the very specific UAE market. From developing a new herbal infusion to reformulating existing ones, FRL ensures that each product is science and insight consumer backed.

Food innovation support will bring herbal wellness to the forefront of beverage consumption in the UAE.