# Mini Episode: Extracts and Essences (Tea, Coffee, and more) with Vibrant Ingredients

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2026-03-18
- Length: 11m
- Episode: 278
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-03-18-mini-episode-extracts-and-essences-tea-coffee-and-more-with-vibrant-ingredients
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/305c8691

## Summary

Bill Hayes, Director of R&D Applications at Vibrant Ingredients, explains the technical distinction between tea essences (capturing volatile aromas via steam condensation) and tea extracts (providing body, color, and astringency from solids). He details how Vibrant Ingredients uses a pure water-based extraction process to create these ingredients, along with functional additives like L-theanine, EGCG, and natural caffeine, for use in RTD teas, hard teas, and cold brew coffee. Hayes advises formulators to clearly define their product mission—such as clarity versus turbidity—and to partner with suppliers who understand their specific 'must haves' to accelerate commercialization.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Bill Hayes and Vibrant Ingredients Overview
2. Defining Tea Essence vs. Tea Extract
3. Applications in Hard Teas and RTD Beverages
4. Vibrant Ingredients' Pure Water Extraction Technology
5. Comparison with Solvent-Based Extraction Methods
6. Tips for Formulators and Brand Partnerships

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Vibrant Ingredients (company)
- L-theanine (other)
- EGCG (other)
- Coffee Festival (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Numi Organic Tea: Reem Hassani and Ahmed Rahim](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-07-05-numi-organic-tea-reem-hassani-and-ahmed-rahim) (How I Built This)
- [051: Launching a turmeric-based alternative to coffee, Samantha & Elaine of Midas Cup](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-05-02-051-launching-a-turmeric-based-alternative-to-coffee-samantha-elaine-of-midas-cu) (Product Startup)
- [Nick Terzulli of Fellow on inventing Espresso Series One, why home espresso has stagnated for decades, and the physics of heating water on 120V.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/go-no-go/2026-04-14-nick-terzulli-of-fellow-on-inventing-espresso-series-one-why-home-espresso-has-s) (Go/No-Go)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-03-18-mini-episode-extracts-and-essences-tea-coffee-and-more-with-vibrant-ingredients. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Startup CPG Podcast.