IDM ¦ Ingredients
The power
of natural
extracts for
innovative
ice cream
ideas
Sensient Flavors
As demand for high-quality, healthy and intensely
flavoured ice cream hots up, natural
ingredients, such as natural plant extracts, offer
a number of benefits, including opportunities
for premium positioning 75% of UK consumers
who have eaten ice cream in the last three months
agree that it is appealing to eat all year.1 But this timeless
classic is moving rapidly with the times, which means manufacturers
must meet multiple consumer demands – from
health and functionality to unrivalled taste and texture.
Any time, anywhere
The days of ice cream being considered primarily a kid’s treat
are long gone, as it now confidently occupies a variety of
different market segments. According to Global Data, men
and millennials in particular form a loyal customer group, as
they are most likely to eat ice cream at least once a week.2
Furthermore, ice cream is no longer seen solely as a palatepleaser
or dessert choice. In fact, the reasons for ice cream
consumption are many and varied these days. For example, 33
per cent of Chinese consumers who ate desserts in the last 12
months, including ice cream, say they did so to ease stress. And
63 per cent of US consumers who purchased ice cream sandwiches
in the last six months cited ‘snacking’ as the reason.3
The ice cream segment is also undergoing changes influenced
by the ever-growing global demand for healthier food.
That’s why producers are being challenged to meet the expectations
of conscious consumers seeking out ice cream variants
with a health-support promise – for instance, through added
proteins, low or no sugar formulations, or by incorporating
superfoods, dairy-free alternatives or fibre. In this respect,
formulation components with a specific health appeal play
a key role: 37 per cent of consumers worldwide would feel
less guilty about consuming unhealthy food or drinks if they
contained at least one healthy ingredient, so Mintel.
Health twist
To help ice cream makers better adjust their concepts to
health and indulgence expectations, Sensient Flavors offers
a range of 100% natural extracts.
Produced through sophisticated extraction methods,
natural extracts capture the aromatic top notes of original
18 · January/February 2021 ¦ international-dairy.com
/international-dairy.com
