Exotic flavors inspire innovation beyond beverages

At IFT FIRST, Synergy Flavors highlighted its Next Wave consumer trends, which uncover the mainstream acceptance of alternative foods. Alexandre Massumoto, marketing specialist, explains how brands can appeal to digital-oriented consumers and how a globalized world is impacting flavor innovations. He... Read More

Kemin unveiled its new fat-block topical solution, InnoBLQ, at IFT FIRST. Courtney Schwartz, marketing director, tells us that InnoBLQ is a micro barrier coating that goes onto battered, breaded and fried food items, which can help increase yield and give better quality and mouthfeel to products. InnoBLQ can... Read More

CJ Food & Nutrition Tech’s TastNrich ingredient allows for a 30% salt reduction in snacks like potato chips. The fermentation-derived ingredient can be listed as a natural flavor in most countries worldwide and contributes to umami enhancement. Christine Shiinoki shares that the company’s fermentation... Read More

Taking a cue from vibrant, big cities like New York, Ingredion has developed lower sugar and gluten-free fusion food concepts. Global culinologist Maru Harris bridges authentic Korean flavors with a “Waffle House experience” with a snow cheese-fried chicken on a biscuit prototype drizzled with barley tea... Read More

Addressing the plant-forward protein megatrend, Roquette has developed several alt-dairy concepts leveraging its pea protein. At IFT FIRST, the company presented a London fog protein beverage containing 10 g of pea protein and a plant-based “yogurt” using pea and rice protein. Anke Golde, head of customer... Read More

Bioenergy Life Science presents ribose, a 5-carbon sugar that stimulates natural energy production in the body. At IFT FIRST, the company featured the ingredient in a plant-based nacho scoop, where it helped with the product’s taste, browning and caramelization. Marianne McDonagh, vice president of sales,... Read More

Netherlands-based texturizing specialist Avebe presents a range of cheese alternatives using potato ingredients. The company also recently introduced a plant-based ice cream at IFT FIRST using potato protein. Meleknur Tüzün, global segment manager of (plant-based) dairy and cheese, explains how potato... Read More

Agrana presents fruit-forward ice cream concepts inspired by desserts like Southern peach cobbler and spiced banana bread. The company shows how inclusions like the cherry halves in its black cherry bourbon can bring a “fruit identity” to the product. Rachel Grant shares how brands can create unique textural... Read More

Familiar products with a twist are captivating consumers in the grocery store aisle. Bell Flavors and Fragrances demonstrates how brands can appeal to consumers’ cravings for a simpler time, before COVID-19 and the inflation crisis that followed. Layne Hillesland, marketing specialist at the company,... Read More

Virtual worlds are generating spooky Halloween NPD this year, appealing to digital natives with colors beyond the traditional orange and black. Natural colors supplier GNT unveils how plant-based colors are gaining traction with today’s social media-driven youth, including tech-savvy consumers in India and... Read More

Spain-based Alvinesa is a 75-year-old company that recently found new ways to process biomass left over from the wine and olive oil industry. Working off 97% renewable energy, the company markets its products as natural and sustainable. Pelayo de las Cuevas Atienza, head of sales EMEA-LATAM, health and... Read More

Brazil-based Biorigin demonstrates enhanced nutrition and fusion flavors with yeast extracts at IFT FIRST 2023. The company shows how classic sauces and vegan innovations like mayo and chili can help reach a wider consumer base. On the company’s 20-year anniversary, global product line manager Fabiana... Read More

Whey permeate or deproteinized whey is a natural source of electrolytes and sweetness that can replace more expensive dairy solids in beverages. The highly soluble ingredient boasts good clarity, making it suitable for RTD and RTM formulations. Amy O’Keefe, applications scientist for US operations at... Read More

Prosur has developed a solution to remove, rather than replace, nitrites in processed meat applications. The company is tapping into the use of natural antioxidants, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, that can remove unwanted nitrites in meats, such as bacon. According to Brian Metzger, VP of sales and... Read More

At IFT FIRST, Cosucra Inc. presented a creamy oat and almond beverage and a biscuit cookie. The prototypes address key consumer needs, such as increasing the protein content of plant-based dairy alternatives and the desire for “permissible indulgence.” Frank Truong, general manager, explains how the company... Read More

Nostalgic foods with a twist are trending as consumers seek comfort in familiarity. Removing dairy is one way to bring something new to a consumer classic like ice cream. Chef Henry Hill, who developed concepts for the Almond Board of California at IFT FIRST, presents an all-almond choco taco concept,... Read More

Consumer trends are still showing the preference for snacking over a sit-down meal at different times throughout the day. Take a closer look at why meat snack varieties carrying several benefits and claims for health and well-being are still the popular option.