How Extracts Are Transforming Food and Beverage Industry

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Everyone loves to eat. People are discerning about how their meals taste. This isn’t anything new. Since time immemorial, people have sought to improve the flavor of their food. Let’s look at some ways extracts and flavorings enhance our culinary experiences.

Flavorings

Flavorings are any ingredients used in either food or beverages to enhance their taste. The use of flavorings dates back to ancient times, as the Egyptians used many spices. Later, spices were a precious commodity for traders worldwide. During the 19th Century, advancements permitted the generation of artificial fruit flavors like banana, watermelon, and grape. These were predominantly used in candies. In the modern world, a person can enjoy refined and diverse tastes in more ways.

Extracts

Extracts are made by soaking ingredients in a mix of alcohol and water. Take vanilla extract, for example. It’s a popular choice where vanilla beans are steeped in liquid to create a stronger taste. There are also alcohol-free extracts, usually made with glycerine.

The simplest way to extract a specific taste from something is to pull the flavorful oils contained in foods. There are also imitation extracts, which are synthetics constructed in a lab. Imitation vanilla has been a popular grocery store item for many decades. Artificial extracts usually have a lower price tag than pure ones.

Emulsions

Emulsions are a popular method of flavoring many foods and desserts. Making an emulsion involves dissolving one liquid in another, while the two do not combine by themselves. Oil and water emulsification gives mayonnaise a thick yet appealing taste and texture. Bakers favor emulsions because they retain taste when baked at high temperatures. They are used in hard candies, frostings, and other baked items.

Flavorings in Beverages

Flavorings are not just for food. People want their drinks to taste great, too. Beverage companies are busy creating all kinds of original drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Here are some ways that today’s beverages are being enhanced with flavorings.

They are creating artisanal drinks. Bars and other food businesses can use flavorings to create unique drinks that help define their establishments.
They are removing unwanted tastes. As with foods, flavorings can mask bitter tastes. For example, customers who may not like the taste of beverages like whiskey can enjoy cocktails made with flavorings.
They are making beverages healthier. Certain plants, herbs, or fruits can add nutritional value to beverages.
Flavorings can enhance coffee and tea. They can benefit from hot and cold beverages, and coffee and tea shops can create signature drinks. Vanilla and almonds are very popular coffee enhancers.

Flavor Masking

One thing that separates chefs and bakers from people who cook at home is expertise in flavoring and added ingredients. Occasionally, one might not try to enhance the flavor but rather hide a specific flavor. This is where flavor masking agents are needed. Some of the most commonly used include:

Sweeteners can be natural or artificial. In addition to sugar, fruit-based purees add a pleasant flavor as they overcome bitterness.
Vanilla. Aside from having a nice flavor, vanilla masks other flavors.
Spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and others.
Coffee, tea, and cocoa extracts.

Hiding Sourness and Bitterness

One challenge in cooking is making bitter and sour foods more palatable. Flavor enhancers are often used for this purpose. Sweeteners, spearmint, banana, or caramel flavors add a milder taste to bitter foods.

Consider cocoa, the main ingredient of many people’s most cherished treat, chocolate. Alone, cocoa powder is very bitter. Sugar and other flavorings, such as vanilla, are also added. Cranberries are another example. Cranberry sauce is a Thanksgiving staple in the United States. Many people also drink cranberry juice for health reasons. However, cranberries are bitter fruits that need sweetening to be enjoyed.

Flavoring Medications and Dietary Supplements

Millions of people take all kinds of substances to improve their health. No one takes medicine or natural supplements because they taste great, though. Many would taste awful without added ingredients, so flavor enhancers are widely used to make such products palatable.

Current Trends

Extracts and other flavorings are constantly evolving. Here are some popular trends now.

More people than ever want alcohol-free versions of beer, wine, and cocktails, and there’s a great demand for creative and exotic flavorings.
Umami flavors include mushrooms, tomatoes, and garlic. Asian cooking uses these flavors in abundance.
More flavor combinations. It takes a lot of work to come up with brand-new flavors. But there are endless ways to combine traditional flavors.

Everyone wants new and exciting flavors. As customers become more savvy, food companies need to fill this demand. Precisely what flavors will be popular in the years to come is still being determined. One thing we can be sure of is that we’ll continue to see many creative innovations in the realm of flavors and extractions.

By Julia Nikolaus
who is a content strategist for an LA-based company. She enjoys working with food and drink brands along with pet clients. In her free time, Julia likes to bake new recipes, take dance classes, and spend time outdoors.

Member since June, 2024
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