Cost-effective vanilla solutions: Bell launches natural vanilla profiles, amid market volatility

03 Sep 2018 --- Suppliers of flavors, botanical extracts and ingredient specialties, Bell Flavors & Fragrances EMEA (Bell), has launched a range of Authentic Vanilla Solutions as an answer to present challenges in the vanilla market. The new line of natural vanilla profiles allows for adjustments in product formulations without compromising on taste. They also represent sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to all manufacturers in the food and beverage industry who struggle to compensate the current price for Bourbon Vanilla or face challenges in sourcing high-quality raw material, according to the company.

Market experts forecast continuing challenges for the price, quality and availability of bourbon vanilla on a global scale. Being a reliable and solution-orientated partner in the market, Bell claims to offer a range of natural flavorings with remarkably authentic bourbon vanilla profiles. Throughout the process of creation, Bell combined the creativity and expertise of its flavors with the implementation of market-relevant applications, while focusing on the challenges of the processors and manufacturers who use bourbon vanilla beans as an ingredient.   

Centering the present market challenges Bell ensures valuable taste solutions to all manufacturers in the food and beverage industry that are among the ones most affected by volatility within the market. The variation of vanilla profiles has therefore been extensively tested in applications belonging to the sweet, dairy, bakery and ice cream segment and is available in powder as well as the liquid physical state.

The various natural flavorings do not only mimic the authentic taste of bourbon vanilla within product formulations. They are specially designed to substitute bourbon vanilla extract, as they have a positive impact on the mouthfeel due to their characteristics and rich notes. Besides delivering taste experiences based on the gold standard of bourbon vanilla, Bell provides sustainable, cost-effective alternatives with diverse declaration options. This customer-orientated approach allows manufacturers to maintain current consumer prices without having to compromise on taste. Additionally, it provides for flexible reactions to the present challenges, as regulatory characteristics of existing market products that are of great importance for the end consumer may partly be kept.

Speaking to FoodIngredientsFirst, Pui-Yin Tao, Marketing Specialist Sweet & Dairy at Bell explains: “Vanilla as a raw material has become very volatile. The current situation in the vanilla market is very challenging due to the long-term effects of bad weather conditions in 2017.”
 
“Looking at the future, the industry will continue to have difficulties in sourcing Bourbon Vanilla, as the quantities produced in Madagascar are limited. The global demand exceeds the amount that is produced, which leads to a need for sustainable, natural alternatives.” 

“Our flavorists have taken Bourbon Vanilla Extract as a gold standard for developing a range of natural flavorings as an answer to current market developments. Our vanilla profiles, therefore, do not only mimic the taste but are specially designed to substitute Bourbon Vanilla Extract within product formulations, as they also have a positive impact on the mouthfeel,” notes Tao. 

Ice cream, dairy products, baked goods and chocolate confectionery are equally important categories and represent the most potential for the use of natural vanilla solutions. Manufactures in these segments are among the ones most affected by volatility within the market. “We, therefore, ensure valuable taste solutions that allow for flexible reactions, as regulatory characteristics of existing market products that are of great importance for the end consumer may partly be kept,” Tao says. 

Vanilla will always be a relevant topic in the food and beverage industry. There will be continuous developments in this field for Bell, e.g., from a raw material side, as well as from a taste perspective. “Additionally, we offer tailor-made solutions to our customers to make sure, our flavors fit into the individual needs and meet the signature taste of successful market products,” adds Tao.  

Global significance & market situation of vanilla 
Among consumers, vanilla is one of the most popular global flavors. As an ingredient, vanilla is used in countless applications within the food and beverage industry. Especially in sweet products, such as ice cream, dairy products and baked goods, the taste of vanilla is an essential component. In recent years, the market situation of vanilla beans has been challenging. 

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) statistics, the demand exceeds the quantities produced. By the end of 2017, the market situation became even more volatile. The price for bourbon vanilla has massively increased, as quantities became very scarce due to adverse weather conditions in Madagascar. Additionally, the quality of vanilla beans sold currently on the world market does not match previous standards. The concentration of vanillin in the vanilla beans available on the market has decreased while the content of water is too high and bears difficulties once stored, according to the company.  

As a consequence, most manufacturers in the food and beverage industry face challenges either because of the compensation of bourbon vanilla prices or the delicate sourcing of high-quality raw material, which requires new approaches on creating products based on cost-efficient, sustainable and natural ingredients. 

Last month, Bell revealed the launch of a new natural chicken flavor line. You can read more on this here. 

By Elizabeth Green