Smoky and Clean Label? Sensient’s SmokeLess Flavors Reinvent a Consumer Favorite

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire — as in red-hot, reinvented products featuring Sensient’s new SmokeLess flavor portfolio!

Introducing any of these versatile smoke profiles will improve flavor experience while avoiding any consumer red flags about the presence of carcinogens. They are suitable for a wide range of products, from savory snacks to dairy, bakery and beverage offerings. They also check the boxes for vegan, non-GMO and non-bioengineered, as well as being Halal and Kosher-compliant.

Consider how much market share is up for grabs here. A fourth of Americas surveyed say they see “clean” ingredients as a shortcut to health benefits, while 42% believe their food and beverage choices should have a significant to moderate impact on the environment. And a whopping 71% say they’ll pay more for current favorites that have been reformulated to be more natural.

Marry that to the fact that 31% of restaurants had “smoke” attached to at least one menu item, and hickory-tagged products had the most launches in North America during 2022 — 1,059 in total. There is a large and growing consumer market that is eager for smoke-flavored offerings.

Multiple options allow for creativity, versatility in product lines

Sensient’s Smokeless Natural Flavor Portfolio offers these unique formulations:

Smoke: Smoky profile with strong ash notes, balanced with fruity top notes and woody undertones

Hickory: Woody, earthy, mildly fruity profile reminiscent of hickory

Oak: Sweet, woody style flavor with mild burnt, nutty notes and fruity nuances

Mesquite: Texas-style barbecue flavor with savory umami notes and sweet, meaty, bacon undertones

Each of these flavors lends itself to a wide variety of products. Here are just a few examples of innovative twists they can bring to current products, as well as new concepts:

• Plant-based Mesquite Smoked Gouda: Sensient’s Plant-based Cheese Base accompanied with SmokeLess Mesquite
• Smoky Margarita: Sensient’s Margarita Base with SmokeLess Smoke
• Hickory Smoke Margarita: Sensient’s Margarita Base, this time paired with SmokeLess Hickory

And that’s just for starters! There are many avenues to explore with the SmokeLess line. Let’s be taste buds! Contact Sensient Flavors & Extracts for more information.