PepsiCo has filed a patent for an "aroma delivery system" for packaging, which the company is looking to adapt for products such as juices and chilled drinks.
The process uses aroma compounds encapsulated in gelatin capsules that are broken when a drinks container is opened, according to inventors Peter Given and Naijie Zhang.
"Research has shown that aromas can in some instances have substantial impact on consumer perception of the taste of a beverage or other food, trigger a favorable emotional response, elicit a favorite memory, and/or otherwise improve overall product performance," claim the inventors.
The encapsulation process includes a secondary protective layer, which can be formed of from a range of materials including a biopolymer film, the pair explained.