Provided is an anthocyanin pigment composition having the following features: (A) an aqueous solution containing the composition and adjusted to pH of 3 with a citrate buffer (pH: 3.0) has a maximum absorption wavelength of 500 to 550 nm in the visible light region; (B) when a pigment-composition-containing aqueous solution containing the composition, 0.2 mass % citric acid, 20 mass % ethanol, and water is prepared so as to have a color value E.sup.10%.sub.1 cm of 10, 1 mL of the aqueous solution is sealed in a 20-mL vial, and the vial is stored at 50° C. for 5 days and further maintained at 40° C. for 30 minutes, the total amount of methyl mercaptan, dimethyl disulfide, and dimethyl trisulfide in the gas in the sealed space of the vial is 100 pg/mL or less; and (C) the gas in the sealed space of the vial contains 5-methylthiopentanenitrile when the vial is maintained at 40° C. for 30 minutes in (B) above.

A beverage containing a natural colorant and one or more components of an Indian gooseberry extract and having sufficient color photostability is described. The active component in the Indian gooseberry extract is at least one of tannic acid, chebulinic acid, chebulagic acid, and phyllemblin. The natural colorant is a carotenoid and/or an anthocyanin. When the natural colorant is beta-carotene, it is preferably provided in a form of microemulsion. The beverage further contains a preservative, such as benzoic acid, sorbic acid, and a salt thereof. A method of formulating the beverage is also described.

A beverage containing a natural colorant and one or more components of an Indian gooseberry extract and having sufficient color photostability is described. The active component in the Indian gooseberry extract is at least one of tannic acid, chebulinic acid, chebulagic acid, and phyllemblin. The natural colorant is a carotenoid and/or an anthocyanin. When the natural colorant is beta-carotene, it is preferably provided in a form of microemulsion. The beverage further contains a preservative, such as benzoic acid, sorbic acid, and a salt thereof. A method of formulating the beverage is also described.

The present invention provides a preparation method for a carotenoid preparation having high bioavailability and high stability, comprising the following steps: a) dissolving part of a water-soluble colloid and a filling substance in water to form an aqueous phase; b) adding a carotenoid crystal to the aqueous phase and stirring for dispersion so as to form a dispersion liquid; c) loading the dispersion liquid into a first-stage grinding machine for first grinding to form a first-stage grinding liquid; d) adding the remaining water-soluble colloid and filling substance to the first-stage grinding liquid, loading same into a second grinding machine for secondary grinding to obtain a second-stage grinding liquid; and e) drying the moisture in the second-stage grinding liquid to obtain carotenoid dry powder or particles.

A beverage product containing a first azo-component and a second azo-component in a weight about 1:999 to about 999:1; an electrolyte; and a solvent, wherein the first azo-component and the second-component remain in solution for at least thirty days.

A beverage product containing a first azo-component and a second azo-component in a weight about 1:999 to about 999:1; an electrolyte; and a solvent, wherein the first azo-component and the second-component remain in solution for at least thirty days.

Described and illustrated herein is an improved beverage composition and methods of making the same. The beverage composition is free of fat, is high in protein, and useful in muscle recovery after exercise.

A method of making a clear beverage concentrate, which comprises a nanoemulsion of a liquid flavour oil in an aqueous phase, comprising the emulsification of the flavour oil into water in the presence of an emulsifier, which emulsifier consists of at least 5% by weight quillaja saponins, optionally containing at least one other emulsifier, characterised in that, prior to emulsification, the pH of the aqueous phase is adjusted to 4.0 maximum.

The method allows the preparation of beverages that not only are crystal-clear, but which also have substantially more of the full flavour of the original flavour oil.

The present invention provides an aqueous pigment-material solution which has excellent thermal stability and less fading particularly even under an acidic condition, a method for producing the same, and a blue-colored beverage. Provided are an aqueous pigment-material solution including a pigment material containing 20 mmol to 200 mmol of polycarboxylic acid having one or more hydroxy groups, in terms of carboxylic acid equivalent, per 1 g of phycocyanin, in which when both the phycocyanin and the polycarboxylic acid are added such that a color value represented by absorbance at 620 nm is 2.5 to 5, an optical density per 1 cm of an optical path length at 800 nm is 0.05 or lower at a hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of 3 or lower, a method for producing the aqueous pigment-material solution, and a blue-colored beverage.

The present invention provides an aqueous pigment-material solution which has excellent thermal stability and less fading particularly even under an acidic condition, a method for producing the same, and a blue-colored beverage. Provided are an aqueous pigment-material solution including a pigment material containing 20 mmol to 200 mmol of polycarboxylic acid having one or more hydroxy groups, in terms of carboxylic acid equivalent, per 1 g of phycocyanin, in which when both the phycocyanin and the polycarboxylic acid are added such that a color value represented by absorbance at 620 nm is 2.5 to 5, an optical density per 1 cm of an optical path length at 800 nm is 0.05 or lower at a hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of 3 or lower, a method for producing the aqueous pigment-material solution, and a blue-colored beverage.