Introduction to beverage
Beverages are potable drinking water or liquid prepared for human consumption.
The word beverage comes from the Latin word “bever,” which means rest after work. Beverages are drinkable liquids that are not considered pure water. Some beverages, such as milk, tea, and coffee, are recognized for their food value, and the rest are for thirst. Some people consume them for stimulating effects and because their consumption gives pleasure.
Classification of beverages
Generally, the classification of beverages is of four major types. These include
- Non-alcoholic beverage
- Alcoholic beverage
- Carbonated beverage
- Non-carbonated beverage
Non-alcoholic beverage
Soft drinks refer to non-intoxicating drinks or soft drinks that do not contain even a little Liqueur or yeast is not added to convert sugar into alcohol during fermentation. They are considered soft drinks that can be taken according to choice and standard and contain no alcohol, e.g., sparkling water, mineral water, juices, pumpkins, syrups, tea, coffee, milk, etc.
In the hospitality industry, non-alcoholic beverages are served to customers as breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with or without food. They invigorate the palate and act as a starter. These non-alcoholic also used for diluting alcohols with soft and cold drinks such as rum and coke, whiskey and soda water, gin and tonic, etc. It adds flavor and enhances color, taste, and eye appeal.
Non-alcoholic are also divided into soft and hot drinks, whereas,
Hot Drinks:
Drinks containing some alcohol, such as coffee and tea, are hot drinks. Hot drinks also include;
- Stimulating Drinks
- Refreshing Drinks
- Nourishing Drinks
Stimulating drinks
Tea and coffee are stimulating beverages because they have caffeine in them. These are hot beverages, but they can be cold too. They evoke different organs of the body. Too much consumption can be fatal.
Refreshing drinks
Squashes, nectar, syrups, spring water, and aerated water (coke, Fanta, 7up, Pepsi, etc.) are refreshing drinks. These drinks help refresh our entire body and relax our minds: glasses served with meals to digest heavy or junk food. The human body acts according to drunk beverages, where they anesthetize our stomach for a short period.
Nourishing drinks
Fresh juices and milk-based drinks such as milkshakes are considered nourishing drinks. These drinks provide energy, nutrients, calories, and fluids that keep the body hydrated.
Alcoholic Beverage
Potable liquids containing 1 to 75% water are alcoholic drinks. Their production also is done by introducing yeasts for fermentation into substances such as grapes, grains, barley, fruit, sugar cane, and rice.
Alcoholic beverages include wine, champagne, beer, whiskey, brandy, aperitif, digestif, liqueur, spirits, sake, rice wine, and cocktails.
Classification of alcoholic beverages
Alcoholic beverages have further classification;
- Fermented alcoholic beverage
- Distilled alcoholic beverage
- Compound alcoholic beverage
Fermented alcoholic beverage
For the production of fermented alcoholic beverages, there is the usage of the fermentation process. It is a process in which sugar is the product converted into alcohol in the presence of yeast that releases carbon dioxide. Example: Wine, Beer, Cider, Perry, etc
Wine
In the United States, wine is any fermented beverage obtained from the fruit. However, in the European Union, the term wine refers to fermented drinks made only from grapes, and wines made from other fruits are called fruit wines.
Beer
Beer is a product of fermenting malted grains such as corn, wheat, rye, or barley. They are generally called fermented malt beverages. For beer, the percentage of alcohol (alcohol volume) is typically 5-6 percent, but for some malt, it can reach up to 15 percent.
Distilled alcoholic beverage
Alcoholic beverages produced by distillation are called distilled alcoholic beverages. These drinks are first fermented, and then the fermented liquid is refined. Distilled liquors using either a pot still or a patent still. Distillates include whiskey 40%, vodka 40%, rum 40%, gin, tequila 40%, but for brandy its 39.5%, etc.; each drink has its flavor, taste, aroma, and characteristics. They are also called spirits. Flavored and sweetened spirits, also known as liqueurs or hard alcohol, exceed 40% alcohol by volume.
Compound alcoholic beverage
Composite alcoholic beverages are carefully mixed or compounded drinks by extracting flavor, color, and sweetness from various fruits, herbs, plants, and nuts. Such drinks include Liqueurs (40%), Gin(40%), bitters (44%), and Cocktails.
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Carbonated beverage
Carbonated drinks are created by adding carbon dioxide, which makes them fizzy and gives the glasses a bubbly feel.
Carbon dioxide molecules are soluble, meaning they dissolve in liquids to form carbonic acid. This process happens at a speed where the bubbles cannot escape, resulting in a drink that tickles your tongue and gives you that nice fizzy feeling.
Each carbonated drink has its unique ratio of ingredients that determines how fizzy it will be, how long the bubbles will tickle your tongue, and what it will taste.
Examples of carbonated beverages include soft drinks, sparkling water (seltzer water), and carbonated wine, which has many characteristics of fermented sparkling wine but is cheaper to produce.
What happens if you stop drinking carbonated beverages?
There are consequences; once you stop drinking carbonated drinks, your body starts to prevent you against different chronic diseases. Here is a complete story of what I said;
Non-carbonated beverages
These drinks are non-carbonated and non-fizzy, but all have a wide variety of flavors.
Unlike carbonated drinks, non-carbonated drinks contain very few ingredients that determine how much carbon dioxide is needed to make them correctly. Instead of carbon dioxide, the amount of sugar and acidity are two factors that affect your drink taste.
The intensity of these two ingredients depends on the products upon which you are working. Examples of non-carbonated beverages include soda (without sugar), bottled water, fruit drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks, sweetened and unsweetened tea, and lemonade.
Summary
Above all, its concluded that beverages provide the necessary hydration and are also a source of other nutrients. In addition to providing energy, some drinks are also sources of vitamins, minerals, and proteins, but we never deny the consequences.
Sources
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_drink
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholic_drink
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