Taiyo debuts premium Japanese matcha and concepts for trendy products

16 Dec 2019 --- At the Fi Europe 2019 trade show held earlier this month in Paris, France, ingredient specialist Taiyo presented new recipes for fortified foods and beverages. Among the debuted product offerings was a range of matcha-based offerings, which spotlit the trending ingredient commonly used in elaborate Japanese tea ceremonies. The fresh and non-bitter tasting products were developed especially for the European market. “EU Matcha 100” is made from the top hand-picked leaves of the first harvest, which are carefully dried and finely ground.

Among the showcased offerings was an eye-catching green matcha popcorn variety. Taiyo’s portfolio also includes two new organic matcha powders that are rich in vitamin K, manganese, polyphenols and amino acids – especially L-theanine. Controlled growing conditions, selective harvesting and gentle but technically sophisticated processing of the raw materials are decisive to ensure the high quality of the green tea leaves.

The quality of Taiyo’s matcha products is marketed as corresponding to the highest Japanese grade for ceremonially prepared matchas, which the company states is exactly how the premium product should be used. With “EU Matcha 70,” the invigorating and harmonizing effect hailed by the company can be used to enrich a wide variety of foods. Its suitable applications include confectionery products such as chocolate, ice cream or dental chewing gum.

“We also generated significant interest with our natural weight management concepts,” says Dr. Stefan Siebrecht, Managing Director at Taiyo. “In this segment, we were able to answer many questions about our Sunfiber dietary fiber.”

Taiyo draws attention to its functional soft drink, Sunfiber Cola, which was developed together with the soft drink experts from Sinalco International and the sweetening specialists from Sweethouse. A study cited by the company has shown that consumption increases the feeling of satiety and, consequently, fewer calories are consumed.

In addition to the Sunfiber Cola cans, beverage powder sticks with Sunfiber were also available as product samples for tasting, which can easily be added to on-the-go beverages. Taiyo has expanded its functional soup offering with various variants containing different peptides and hyaluronic precursors. 

The health-promoting soups are enriched with Taiyo’s Vegemeat – a vegan meat alternative – and the latest green tea product, Sunphenon TH30. Obtained from green tea leaves, Sunphenon TH30 is the only legal L-theanine variant on the European market. It can also be used in sweets and dairy products and delivers a relaxing and stress-reducing effect as well as a spicy umami taste.

By Benjamin Ferrer