This month's Productscan new drinks review focuses on new coffee launches, as a plethora of new beverages have been launched that contain coffee extracts. Some of these capitalize on the new positioning of coffee as a healthy supplement, while others focus on its energy-giving properties. With coffee growth faltering in many markets, novel beverages such as these could help to renew interest in the bean.

Delta Marketing has introduced the Joint Java Blend of Vital Coffees in the U.S., a roasted coffee that is designed to aid joint health. The coffee is said to help reduce joint discomfort and restore support, through the use of the sulfur supplement MSM, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Although some joint health beverages have been released in the past, this appears to be a new approach for coffee.

Meanwhile, coffee berries appear to be growing in popularity in beverages, as can be seen with the recent launch of two coffee berry products. One World Enterprises has extended its line of juice drink cartons with the launch of the ready-to-drink O.N.E Coffee Berry Juice with strawberry. Standing for 'One Natural Experience', the juice claims to be rich in antioxidants.

The other new coffee berry beverage is Michel Power Energy Drink - Coffee Berry, which has been launched in Switzerland by Rivella. This energy drink is said to contain orange juice, mango puree, lime juice, prickly pear juice, banana puree and vitamin C, as well as coffee extract. Coffee berry, combined in a cocktail of fruit ingredients, would appear to be a unique flavor for the energy drink market.

Meanwhile, cappuccinos are not renowned for being low in calories, but Kraft Foods Global has recently begun distributing one in the U.S. that makes a 100-calorie-per-cup claim. The Cappuccino Mix 100 Calorie Packs come in Coffee Mocha and French Vanilla flavors, with five single-serve sachets present in one box. While 100-calorie packs have proved popular in other food and drink categories, this is the first time that it has been observed in a coffee product.

Over in Australia, Parmalat has introduced the Icebreak Loaded Flavoured Milk in Iced Coffee and Guarana flavor. Icebreak is one of Australia's leading iced coffee brands, and it aims to capitalize on the popularity of energy drinks with this new launch. Energizing milk with the addition of coffee and guarana is an interesting development in the category, which could help it to stand out from the crowd.

Finally, New Orleans Coffee Company has launched the Cool Brew Cool Brewed Instant Coffee in the U.S., consisting of a liquid concentrate coffee presented in an unusual container -- a metered bottle with its own built-in measuring device. The coffee is said to undergo a cold filtration process and comes in a variety of flavors and bottle sizes, including French roast and decaf. While metered bottle packaging has appeared in some other categories, including tea, it is new for coffee, while the cold filtration process is also novel.