Where all those weird new drinks are coming from
Summary
Planet Money explores the explosion of beverage choices by visiting Flavor Man, a Kentucky lab that designs drinks for major brands. Hosts Jeff Gluck and Kenny Malone learn how advances in flavor science allow for exotic tastes, while the rise of functional beverages creates new market categories. The episode also details how the craft beer boom lowered manufacturing barriers, enabling small brands to compete with giants. Finally, the team tastes a custom "Planet Money" soda featuring yuzu, elderberry, and a numbing herb.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: Charles Schwab
Nostalgia for the Coke vs. Pepsi era
Supermarket tour: The explosion of beverage choices
Episode introduction and preview
Sponsors: Capital One, Apollo, LinkedIn
Introduction to Flavor Man in Louisville
Flavor Man's role and NDA restrictions
Inside the Flavor Lab: How aromas are created
Advancements in flavor science and supply
Side quest: Creating a Planet Money drink
Beverage concepts and functional ingredients
Tasting experimental new beverage concepts
Sponsors: Capella University, Capital One, Apollo
Lowering barriers to entry via craft breweries
Market competition and consumer choice
Tasting the final Planet Money beverage
Conclusion and listener engagement
Credits and listener shoutouts
Sponsors: EasyCater, BetterHelp
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