Ten years ago, a lemon ginger blueberry juice would have stood out as a novelty. Today, blends like that are found in convenience stores, wellness drinks, and a growing number of sparkling beverages. What began in niche health circles has become a mainstream expectation, as consumers look for products that combine familiar fruits in unexpected ways, often alongside herbs, spices, or vegetables. These flavor-forward blends offer more than just taste. Many are tied to benefits like immune health, energy, and relaxation. For manufacturers, fruit combinations provide a way to differentiate products and meet rising demand for complexity, freshness, and wellness.
Some fruit pairings remain staples for good reason. Strawberry and banana continue to lead in smoothie applications, offering a familiar balance of sweetness and texture. Apple and cranberry, long established in juice blends, combine tartness and sweetness in a way that resonates across demographics. These classic blends work because they strike a comfortable middle ground—flavor profiles that are approachable, well-rounded, and easy to integrate across formats.
Today, manufacturers are expanding into more adventurous combinations. Berry and citrus pairings like blackberry with lemon or raspberry with orange deliver brightness, acidity, and a layered flavor experience. Citrus not only enhances the fruit notes, it also contributes vitamin C and helps preserve freshness and color. These blends are especially well suited to beverage applications, where their vibrant color and crisp flavor create standout products on crowded shelves.
Tropical fruits add another layer of complexity and appeal. Mango and pineapple form a sweet, aromatic base that pairs well with passion fruit, guava, or papaya to build signature flavor systems. These blends offer more than just taste. Their natural vitamin and mineral content supports wellness positioning, and their built-in sweetness can reduce the need for added sugar without compromising flavor.
Pairing fruits with herbs and spices has become one of the most effective ways to create more interesting and memorable flavors. These combinations add character without straying too far from what consumers already know. A blend like strawberry and basil, once found mostly in cocktails, is now common in sparkling waters and teas. Peach with hibiscus adds a floral note that works well in both still and carbonated drinks. Blueberry and mint is another pairing that gives familiar fruit a slightly cooler edge.
Spices bring a different kind of dimension, especially in baked goods, seasonal beverages, and comfort-style products. Apple with cinnamon is still one of the most familiar, but other combinations are finding their place. Cherry and vanilla works well in confections, while citrus paired with ginger continues to be popular in drinks where a sharp, refreshing flavor is needed. Mango with turmeric adds just enough warmth without overpowering the fruit. These blends are versatile and work across both traditional and wellness-focused formats.
“Given that we’re part of the Universal Ingredients platform, we have access to the inventory of our sister companies, Silva International and Shank’s,” said Patrick D'Ambrosio, V.P. of Sales. “Tapping into their offering of vegetable products, spices, herbs, flavors, and extracts provides the ability to create flavor combinations and blends for our customers so they can meet the demand of today’s consumers.”
Other combinations, meanwhile, are designed with timing or function in mind. Apple and chamomile, for example, is often used in evening teas or calming beverages. Berry flavors combined with ingredients like green tea or mushroom extracts are showing up in drinks that target hydration or cognitive focus. These blends give manufacturers a way to suggest benefits through flavor alone, without relying on clinical claims or complicated formulations.1
As wellness continues to influence product development, fruit remains one of the most effective ways to highlight specific benefits without turning a product into a supplement. Certain blends have become closely associated with themes like immune support, digestion, and energy. Here are a few examples of how fruit combinations are being used to reinforce wellness positioning in food and beverage products.
With so many possible combinations, turning a good idea into a workable blend takes more than just inspiration. FruitSmart helps manufacturers develop fruit combinations that stand out in the market and hold up in production, whether the goal is to highlight a single ingredient or create something more layered and complex.
FruitSmart works with manufacturers to create custom blends that meet the needs of both product development and large-scale production. By combining different fruit ingredients in precise ratios, the company helps customers achieve the flavor, color, and texture they want without the complexity of sourcing and managing multiple components.
The process starts with FruitSmart’s broad portfolio of juices, purees, concentrates, and fruit powders. These ingredients can be combined to create blends that are consistent from batch to batch, even when the individual fruits vary by season or supplier. This approach not only simplifies production but also helps maintain a reliable flavor profile over time.
“In addition to fruit blends, we can incorporate other ingredients to support specific goals, such as improving mouthfeel, adjusting sweetness, or supporting claims related to wellness or clean labeling,” said D’Ambrosio. “Whether a customer is building a product around one familiar fruit or developing a more complex combination with global influences, the blending process allows for flexibility without sacrificing control or consistency.”
When it comes to developing a great fruit blend, the right ingredients are only part of the equation. FruitSmart works with manufacturers to create combinations that are thoughtful, consistent, and ready for real-world production. With a broad portfolio of fruit ingredients and hands-on formulation support, we help turn product ideas into practical solutions across a range of categories. Contact our team today if you’re exploring something new or looking to refine an existing formula.
