Beverage strip for dissolving in liquid and methods of use and manufacturing thereof

1 . A beverage strip for dissolving in liquid and consumption, wherein the beverage strip comprises:

a base matrix layer and a water-soluble substrate film, wherein the water-soluble substrate film encapsulates the base matrix layer, the base matrix layer configured to:

provide structural integrity in a dry state, wherein the dry state corresponds to the beverage strip remaining solid and structurally intact prior to an exposure to a liquid medium, and

dissolve upon contact with the liquid medium;

wherein the water-soluble substrate film comprises a hydrocolloid-based film; and

wherein the base matrix further comprises a flexible network, wherein the flexible network is selected from the group consisting of xylitol, mannitol, polyvinyl alcohol, sorbitol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, gellan gum, agar-agar, carrageenan, lecithin, and combinations thereof;

a functional layer positioned on or within the base matrix layer, wherein the functional layer comprises a plurality of embedded substances, wherein the plurality of embedded substances are designed to release upon dissolution of the base matrix layer and deliver the plurality of embedded substances into the liquid medium for consumption; wherein the beverage strip comprises the base matrix layer, the water-soluble substrate film, and the functional layer collectively defining a total composition of the beverage strip.

2 . The beverage strip of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of embedded substances comprises one or more flavoring agents selected from the group consisting of natural flavors, artificial flavors, essential oils, fruit extracts, spice extracts, herb extracts, vanilla extract, citrus oils, berry flavorings, chocolate flavoring, mint extract, kombucha extract, floral extracts, fermented fruit extracts, coffee cherry extract, coconut water concentrate, matcha powder, roasted barley extract, smoked paprika extract, yuzu zest extract, tamarind concentrate, rosemary extract, ginger extract, lemongrass extract, hibiscus extract, turmeric extract, black tea extract, green tea extract, guava puree, passion fruit concentrate, acai berry powder, elderflower extract, saffron extract, dragon fruit concentrate, pear essence, pomegranate concentrate, coconut extract, lime zest, apple cider vinegar, lemongrass oil, matcha extract, ginger root powder, smoked cinnamon, rose water, beetroot juice concentrate, mango puree, watermelon essence, hibiscus flower extract, cranberry extract, salted caramel flavoring, vanilla bean extract, and any combinations thereof.

3 . The beverage strip of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of embedded substances comprises one or more nutrients selected from the group consisting of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, electrolytes, fiber, antioxidants, proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrates, sugars, polyphenols, probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, astaxanthin, coenzyme q10, curcumin, chlorophyll, hyaluronic acid, l-carnitine, spirulina , collagen peptides, turmeric extract, resveratrol, and any combinations thereof.

4 . The beverage strip of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of embedded substances comprises one or more bioactives selected from the group consisting of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, polyphenols, probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, caffeine, herbal extracts, antioxidants, plant-based extracts, astaxanthin, spermidine, berberine, pterostilbene, L-theanine, cordyceps , saffron extract, corydalis extract, fucoxanthin, N-acetylcystein, GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT-2 inhibitors, beta-agonists, peptides, statins, and any combinations thereof.

5 . The beverage strip of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of embedded substances comprises one or more preservatives selected from the group consisting of sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, calcium propionate, citric acid, ascorbic acid, tocopherols, rosemary extract, lactic acid, nisin, grapefruit seed extract, elderberry extract, pomegranate extract, annatto extract, ferrous sulfate, natural plant-derived antimicrobials, chitosan, berberine, oregano oil, and any combinations thereof.

6 . The beverage strip of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of embedded substances comprises one or more sweeteners selected from the group consisting of sucrose, glucose, fructose, high fructose corn syrup, stevia , sucralose, aspartame, erythritol, xylitol, agave syrup, monk fruit extract, allulose, tagatose, yacon syrup, lucuma powder, and any combinations thereof.

7 . The beverage strip of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of embedded substances comprises one or more colorants selected from the group consisting of natural food colorants, artificial food colorants, beet juice powder, spirulina extract, turmeric powder, spinach powder, carrot juice powder, anthocyanins, black currant extract, matcha powder, chlorophyll, paprika extract, berry extracts, fruit concentrates, vegetable concentrates, pitaya extract, butterfly pea flower extract, red cabbage extract, moringa powder, hibiscus extract, saffron, black soybean powder, rose petal extract, cocoa powder, indigo powder, maqui berry extract, and any combinations thereof.

8 . The beverage strip of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of embedded substances comprises one or more emulsifiers selected from the group consisting of lecithin, monoglycerides, diglycerides, polysorbates, sucrose esters, propylene glycol esters, xanthan gum, guar gum, sunflower lecithin, chitosan, acacia gum, milk protein concentrate, tapioca starch, laminaria extract, polyglycerol esters of fatty acids, and any combinations thereof.

9 . The beverage strip of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of embedded substances comprises one or more stabilizers selected from the group consisting of citric acid, ascorbic acid, tocopherols, xanthan gum, guar gum, sodium benzoate, calcium carbonate, pectin, tamarind gum, konjac flour, chitosan, beta-glucans, polydextrose, tannins, alginates, and combinations thereof.

10 . The beverage strip of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of embedded substances comprises approximately 1-5% by weight of flavoring agents, 0.5-3% by weight of nutrients, 0.1-2% by weight of bioactives, 0.05-0.5% by weight preservatives, 0.5-3% by weight of sweeteners, 0.01-0.2% by weight of colorants, 0.1-1% by weight of emulsifiers, and 0.1-2% by weight of stabilizers, wherein a total sum of the embedded substances is effective to provide desired organoleptic properties wherein the % by weight is based on the beverage strip.

11 . The beverage strip of claim 1 , wherein the base matrix layer encapsulates the functional layer with the functional layer being embedded within an interior of the base matrix layer.

12 . The beverage strip of claim 1 , wherein the base matrix layer comprises approximately 83.3% by weight to 97.64% by weight of the total composition and the functional layer comprises approximately 2.36% to 16.7% by weight of the total composition wherein the % by weight is based on the beverage strip.

13 . A method for manufacturing a beverage strip of claim 1 , wherein the method comprises:

preparing a base matrix layer and a water-soluble substrate film, wherein the base matrix layer is configured to provide structural integrity in a dry state and dissolve upon contact with a liquid medium, wherein preparing the base matrix comprises:

coating, using a water-soluble substrate film, an outer layer of the base matrix layer; and

blending a flexible network into the base matrix;

preparing a functional layer positioned on or within the base matrix layer, wherein preparing the functional layer comprises:

embedding a plurality of embedded substances into the functional layer, wherein the embedded substances are designed to release upon dissolution of the base matrix layer, and deliver the plurality of embedded substances into the liquid medium for consumption; and

dispersing the functional layer on or within the base matrix layer.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising shaping, using a shaping machine, the beverage strip into a first shape.

15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising heating, using infrared radiation, the beverage strip to a first temperature, the first temperature selected based on an optimal distribution metric of the distribution of the functional layer on or within the base matrix layer.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the optimal distribution metric is determined based on a function of a composition of the beverage strip, wherein the first temperature is approximately 60° C. to 90° C.

17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of embedded substances comprises one or more of flavoring agents, nutrients, bioactives, preservatives, sweeteners, colorants, emulsifiers, and stabilizers; wherein

the flavoring agents are selected from the group consisting of:

natural flavors, artificial flavors, essential oils, fruit extracts, spice extracts, herb extracts, vanilla extract, citrus oils, berry flavorings, chocolate flavoring, mint extract, kombucha extract, floral extracts, fermented fruit extracts, coffee cherry extract, coconut water concentrate, matcha powder, roasted barley extract, smoked paprika extract, yuzu zest extract, tamarind concentrate, rosemary extract, ginger extract, lemongrass extract, hibiscus extract, turmeric extract, black tea extract, green tea extract, guava puree, passion fruit concentrate, acai berry powder, elderflower extract, saffron extract, dragon fruit concentrate, pear essence, pomegranate concentrate, coconut extract, lime zest, apple cider vinegar, lemongrass oil, matcha extract, ginger root powder, smoked cinnamon, rose water, beetroot juice concentrate, mango puree, watermelon essence, hibiscus flower extract, cranberry extract, salted caramel flavoring, vanilla bean extract, and any combinations thereof,

the nutrients are selected from the group consisting of:

vitamins, minerals, amino acids, electrolytes, fiber, antioxidants, proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrates, sugars, polyphenols, probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, astaxanthin, coenzyme q10, curcumin, chlorophyll, hyaluronic acid, l-carnitine, spirulina , collagen peptides, turmeric extract, resveratrol, and any combinations thereof,

the bioactives are selected from the group consisting of:

vitamins, minerals, amino acids, polyphenols, probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, caffeine, herbal extracts, antioxidants, plant-based extracts, astaxanthin, spermidine, berberine, pterostilbene, L-theanine, cordyceps , saffron extract, corydalis extract, fucoxanthin, N-acetylcystein, GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT-2 inhibitors, beta-agonists, peptides, statins, and any combinations thereof,

the preservatives are selected from the group consisting of:

sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, calcium propionate, citric acid, ascorbic acid, tocopherols, rosemary extract, lactic acid, nisin, grapefruit seed extract, elderberry extract, pomegranate extract, annatto extract, ferrous sulfate, natural plant-derived antimicrobials, chitosan, berberine, oregano oil, and any combinations thereof;

the sweeteners are selected from the group consisting of:

sucrose, glucose, fructose, high fructose corn syrup, stevia , sucralose, aspartame, erythritol, xylitol, agave syrup, monk fruit extract, allulose, tagatose, yacon syrup, lucuma powder, and any combinations thereof,

the colorants are selected from the group consisting of:

natural food colorants, artificial food colorants, beet juice powder, spirulina extract, turmeric powder, spinach powder, carrot juice powder, anthocyanins, black currant extract, matcha powder, chlorophyll, paprika extract, berry extracts, fruit concentrates, vegetable concentrates, pitaya extract, butterfly pea flower extract, red cabbage extract, moringa powder, hibiscus extract, saffron, black soybean powder, rose petal extract, cocoa powder, indigo powder, maqui berry extract, and any combinations thereof;

the emulsifiers are selected from the group consisting of:

lecithin, monoglycerides, diglycerides, polysorbates, sucrose esters, propylene glycol esters, xanthan gum, guar gum, sunflower lecithin, chitosan, acacia gum, milk protein concentrate, tapioca starch, laminaria extract, polyglycerol esters of fatty acids, and any combinations thereof;

the stabilizers are selected from the group consisting of:

citric acid, ascorbic acid, tocopherols, xanthan gum, guar gum, sodium benzoate, calcium carbonate, pectin, tamarind gum, kojac flour, chitosan, beta-glucans, polydextrose, tannins, alginates, and combinations thereof; and

the plurality of embedded substances comprises approximately:

1-5% by weight of the flavoring agents, 0.5-3% by weight of the nutrients, 0.1-2% by weight of the bioactives, 0.05-0.5% by weight of the preservatives, 0.5-3% by weight of the sweeteners, 0.01-0.2% by weight of the colorants, 0.1-1% by weight of the emulsifiers, and 0.1-2% by weight of the stabilizers, wherein a total sum of the embedded substances is effective to provide desired organoleptic properties.