One of the most common questions we get asked at Farmers Markets is about our sugar content. 

When creating ETCH, the health properties of the drinks were of high importance to us.  Knowing that many “Sugar Free” drinks brands in the marketplace use artificial sweeteners to make them more palatable, it was a key challenge to create drinks with only natural sugars.

So what role does sugar play in beverage making?  

From a food science and technology perspective, sugar (sucrose) plays functional roles in beverage production. Taste, colour, flavour, texture, fermentation, and preservation all are enhanced or facilitated by using sugar. 

At a consumption level it can also be the ‘pick me up’ and the ‘moreish’ element of a drink.

Why is there such a fuss about reducing sugar in drinks?

As with many things in life, it’s around moderation. The quantum of consumption as a society is the challenge. That’s why In June 2018, the Australian Beverages Council announced a pledge to the Federal Government that will see the non-alcoholic beverage industry commit to a 20 per cent reduction in sugar across the industry’s portfolio by 2025. 

It’s widely published that sugar needs to be managed as part of a healthy diet. In Australia that management is a reduction in quantity. Excess sugar is a driver of many health issues in our community and has a significant management cost.

Do ETCH Sparkling beverages contain sugar?

ZST – Fingerlime, Lemon Myrtle & Rosemary

PLM – Davidson Plum, Riberry & Strawberry Gum

APL – Bush Apple & Kakadu Plum

RNG – Orange & Quandong

MTN – Mountain Pepperberry & Raspberry

These ETCH drinks are completely free of sugar and achieve their flavour profile by the fruit and herbal  extracts and a small amount of monk fruit extract which is a natural sweetener extracted from the monk fruit.

HNY – Local Flora Mornington Peninsula Honey & Rosewater

Our HNY contains 2.4g (per 100ml) of natural sugar in the form of raw honey.  The bees that create this beautiful honey pollinate trees and flowers from the pristine Mornington Peninsula region and the honey adds beautiful complexity.

We are really proud of this aspect of our range of drinks and feel that they contain aroma and mouthfeel richness from the natural ingredients and do not rely on artificial flavours, preservatives, colours or sweeteners, allowing us to stand true to our name: ETCH = Every Time Choose Health.