New Delhi, Mar 13: Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) is all set to market a series of fruit-based carbonated drinks, ready-to-serve (RTS) drinks and fruit nectars under the brand name `Pusa Fruit Drinks'.Initially, IARI will market its products through its sales counter in Pusa campus in Delhi. IARI has also planned to sell this technology to SSI sector for large-scale commercialisation and an entrepreneur can set up a small commercial plants with an initial capital of Rs five lakh. The institute is also providing training to the entrepreneurs on cost basis.
The technology of fruit-based drinks has been developed by IARI scientists and has been patented. The carbonated drinks include preparations from lime, grapes and new hybrid of lime and grape called limGra, having the colour from grape and flavour from lime. The technology includes carbonation and processing of fruit juice and fruit syrup base through `hurdle' technology. The fruit-based carbonated drinks are priced at Rs 10 per 200 mlbottle. RTS drinks are prepared from aonla, which is a rich source of vitamin C and is an excellent tropical drink. RTS drinks are priced at Rs 15 per 200 ml bottle.
Another beverage, the fruit nectar is developed from indigenous fruits like jamun, phalsa and bel. Fruit nectars are priced at Rs 15 per 200 ml bottle.The fruit based beverages are natural health drinks and excellent refresher. They contain no artificial colour, flavour or essence. The carbonated drinks of lime, grapes and limGra contain five to ten per cent of fruit juice and cane be preserved for three months. The fruit nectars of bel fruit, jamun, mango and aonla RTS drinks contain 20 per cent fruit juice and can be preserved for 10 months. These are natural health drinks and excellent refresher. These beverages should be stored in preferably dark and cool places as their natural colour changes to brown or are darkened when stored at higher temperatures or exposed to strong light.
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