Foods that boost health and plant-based dairy alternatives
will continue to trend into 2021 (photo: Olam)
from grinding cocoa cake, they retain their
superior color and flavor characteristics.
Permissible indulgence
Other unusual flavors in dairy treats include
combinations of cinnamon, guajillo pepper
and cocoa. This ‘sweet heat’ taste has
become a popular flavor combination in
Mexican-inspired hot chocolates, offering the
comfort of chocolate with an adventurous
kick. Moreover, a natural cocoa powder pairs
wonderfully with chipotle pepper – especially
in dairy applications. Introducing chili to tropical
fruits such as mango or passion fruit in an
ice cream ribbon or cheesecake cuts through
the dairy to emphasize herbaceous and
grassy notes, cleansing the palate and delivering
a well-rounded flavor. Olam Spices, part
of OFI, has seen growing demand for warming
spices such as ginger, cinnamon and turmeric
– all appealing to the sweet-toothed
consumer looking for ‘heathier’ products.
Consumers are also adding spices to
season beverages. Cayenne pepper, known
for stimulating body circulation and reducing
acidity4 is a popular favorite being added to
coffee. In the case of spiced coffee, cayenne
can be included in small quantities – along
with other spices – to provide an exotic and
warming heat to the brew. Recent research
has also shown that it may relieve pain from
headaches, help digestion, and even prevent
heart disease.5
Experimenting with flavors
in plant-based dairy
alternatives
As well as foods that boost health, plantbased
dairy alternatives will continue to trend
into 2021, driven by consumer demands for
wellness, diet variety, sustainability and taste.
Ingredients ¦ IDM
Unusual flavors in dairy treats include combinations of cinnamon,
guajillo pepper and cocoa (photo: Olam)
6 Within plant-based dairy alternatives, Olam
Cocoa is pioneering ways to maximize cocoa
flavoring and create flavor experiences that
provide moments of pure pleasure and delight.
For example, in yogurt alternative applications,
often the bitterness of the cocoa
doesn’t combine well with the acidic flavor
notes of the yogurt alternative. Olam Cocoa
has been working on a solution to this with
a specific non-bitter cocoa powder type suitable
for use in yogurts or other low pH food
products, making it possible to create fresh
chocolate plant-based yogurts that are both
stable and delicious.
With plant-based cheese products, creating
a distinct aroma and flavor is key. This category
is rapidly growing, and these products are
usually made from cashew and almond nuts,
which often carry a neutral taste. Spices can
be used to naturally flavor these products and
create exciting new flavor combinations while
retaining clean label and sustainability appeal.
For example, onion and garlic can heighten
the toasted/raw nutty flavor in nut-based
cheeses and also bring out that umami flavor.
Additionally, black pepper, cumin and chilies
added to a plant-based cheese or spread create
a nice aroma, while white pepper – a fermented
product – gives the cheese a ripened
pungency commonly found in dairy cheeses.
Finding a winning
combination
The pandemic has certainly played a role
in determining flavors for 2021 as people
turn to food and drink for both comfort and
health. Innovating with new, unusual flavors
will be key for manufacturers to keep consumer
interest and give products a unique
edge. Nevertheless, balancing flavor with
functionality will be crucial.
Sources:
1 Eitfood.eu. 2020. EIT Food Report Reveals
Lasting Impact Of COVID-19 Pandemic
On European Food Behaviours. online
Available at: https://www.eitfood.eu/news/
post/eit-food-report-reveals-lasting-impactof
covid-19-pandemic-on-european-foodbehaviours
2 Innova Market Insights. 2020. Reaching
Adventurers: Consumers Love To Discover
New Flavors. online Available at: https://
www.innovamarketinsights.com/reseaching
adventurers/.
3 Olamspices.com. 2020. Turmeric Facts
| Everything You Need To Know | Olam
Spices. online Available at: https://olamspices.
com/turmeric-facts.
4 Sorendreier.com. 2020. Cayenne Pepper
Benefits Your Gut, Heart And More |
Soren Dreier. online Available at: https://
sorendreier.com/cayenne-pepper-benefitsyour
gut-heart-and-more/.
5 Frydas S, Varvara G, Murmura G, Saggini
A, Caraffa A, Antinolfi P, Tete' S, Tripodi
D, Conti F, Cianchetti E, Toniato E, Rosati
M, Speranza L, Pantalone A, Saggini R,
Di Tommaso LM, Theoharides TC, Conti
P, Pandolfi F. Impact of capsaicin on mast
cell inflammation. Int J Immunopathol
Pharmacol. 2013 Jul-Sep;26(3):597-600.
doi: 10.1177/039463201302600303.
PMID: 24067456.
6 Innova Market Insights. 2020. Innova
Identifies Top 10 Food And Beverage
Trends To Accelerate Innovation In 2021
Press Releases. online Available at:
https://www.innovamarketinsights.com/
innova-identifies-top-10-food-and-beverage
trends-to-accelerate-innovationin
2021/.
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