What is CO2 used for in beverage packaging?
Any current search for CO2 in news headlines will tell you that there is a CO2 shortage in Australia and in other parts of the world (largely New Zealand). Many users of CO2 are facing supply issues currently as suppliers experience issues operating their CO2 manufacturing plants. CO2 is a very common ingredient in many beverage products, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, but what is it actually used for and what are some examples of CO2 beverage products? We discuss why CO2 is used in beverage products below.
What is CO2?
CO2 is the chemical acronym for carbon dioxide. It is tasteless, non-toxic, non-flammable chemically inactive gas. The CO2 utilised by IDL is over 99.9% pure.
Carbonating Beverages
A number of beverages are carbonated, meaning they’re fizzy, such as soft drinks and sparkling wine. For the beverages crafted and packaged here at IDL, CO2 is used to carbonate a number of our beverage products including a range of cider products, sparkling wine, and ready-to-drink spirit based beverages. Some beverages may be lightly sparkling, whilst some may be highly carbonated. An example of a beverage that doesn’t utilise CO2 includes still wines, both red and white.
Preserving beverages
CO2 can also act as a preservative in beverages, extending its shelf life and ensuring the flavour profile of the beverage is maintained. It also aids in protecting the bacteria appearing and growing in the beverage before consumption.
Accentuating flavours
When the CO2 reacts with other flavours in the beverage product, it accentuates the flavours of the beverage product that your taste buds can detect and enjoy. The bubbles created from the addition of CO2 trigger other pleasure sensors in the brain, enabling the consumer to further enjoy the beverage.
IDL utilises CO2 when producing and packaging a range of beverage products including cider, sparkling wine and ready-to-drink products, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Contact us today for more information.
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