Flavor meets function as the consumer demand rises for natural extracts
Clean labeling is here to stay. Consumers are demanding easy-to-read labels with identifiable ingredients — a move that is backed by a heightened attention to “farm-to-table” transparency for products and ingredients. Teas and other flavors that can lend color and taste are a vital part of the new landscape. Sensient is helping manufacturers meet the challenge head-on with a variety of clean-label-ready flavors and extracts. Here are more extracts that deliver beyond flavor:
Elderberry
Dating to the fifth century, writings of Hippocrates and others describe the use of medicines derived from the elder tree. Although elderberry has commonly been used in desserts, beverages, and syrups, the extract recently surfaced in the growing vitamin category as a superfood. Elderberries are rich in many phytonutrients that are thought to help treat ailments such as colds, coughing and nasal congestion.
Hibiscus
While hibiscus plants are often prized as additions to gardens, they also have a tart flavor and perceived medicinal uses. The flowers and leaves can be made into teas and liquid extracts that are believed to treat a variety of conditions.
Citra Hops
While Citra Hops have been around since the 1990s, it wasn’t until 2007 that this citrus-forward hops came onto the beer scene. Ever since, people have been incorporating them into craft brewing and food applications that benefit from an aromatic citrus punch.
Cassia Bark
Cassia Bark has a sweet, pungent flavor similar to cinnamon, and it works well with cloves and cardamom. In fact, it’s so similar to cinnamon that it is often used as a replacement for the spice. The versatile Cassia Bark can be used in bakery, beverage and hearty main-dish applications.
Organic Green Tea
Stemming from the same plant as black tea, organic green tea leaves are dried and not fermented. This process gives the tea leaves their soothing taste. Along with caffeine, organic green tea contains powerful antioxidants that are commonly known to reduce inflammation, help prevent cell damage, and promote anti-aging.
Sensient continues to invest heavily in natural extracts, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to providing food and beverage manufacturers with reliable, long-term quality and flavor consistencies that meet and exceed stringent standards — and do so while delivering a lasting flavor profile that resonates with consumers’ palates while satisfying their desire for an organic, natural experience.
Sensient has the experience, products and capacity to provide “seed to shelf” transparency for our clients. We have the ingredients, colors and technology to enhance existing offerings and also bring exciting, innovative new products to market.
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