“A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down.” This famous line from Mary Poppins takes on an entirely new meaning in the food industry.
Due to the increasing demand for plant-based sources of protein, the industry is being asked to shift gears. The health-conscious consumer no longer wants something that’s simply healthy, they want it to taste good, too. This poses a significant challenge to product-makers nationwide.
Although plant sources are rich in nutrients and high in protein, they don’t taste as good as they feel. So how do you mask the earthy off-taste of plant-based protein? Sweeteners, as delicious as they are, also play a surprising role in masking bitter flavors.
Sweeteners Do More Than Just Sweeten
Sweetness acts as a buffer between intense flavors. When a product is overly salty, bitter, sour, vegetal, mineral-rich, or earthy, sweeteners soften the blow. In the same way that acidity is used to offset savory or spicy, sweetness does the same for bitterness. Yes, sweetness is delicious, but it’s also a critical part of crafting a quality product.
Masking flavor technology is utilized in a majority of products with plant proteins. The intention of taste masking is to manufacture a flavor that not only complements but hides the unpleasant taste. Sweeteners do just this. Sweeteners will often be used in plant-based protein bars, plant-based desserts, smoothies, beverages, or sour candy.
When it comes to the type of sweetener to choose for your product, you should consider the differences between artificial and natural sweeteners. To meet consumer demand, it’s important to note that natural sweeteners are largely preferred. So does this mean that artificial sweeteners are now out of the question?
Artificial Sweeteners: How Do They Fit into Taste Masking?
Sugar substitutes like Splenda, Equal, Truvia, or Sweet n’ Low are now ousted by the majority of consumers. It’s hard to discern whether or not artificial sweeteners are obsolete, though some fervently argue against them. Many people claim that artificial sweeteners taste like “chemicals.” Even though many artificial sweeteners still make sales, and are found in several products, consumer desires are shifting.
Artificial sweeteners fall into the category of “non-nutritive” sweeteners. This means they do not deliver any calories or have real nutritional value. Some artificial sweeteners are mistakenly called sweeteners, meaning they only “deliver sweetness,” and are not a true source of sugar.
It’s hard to say how artificial sweeteners wage in the art of taste masking. Many flavorists argue that artificial sweeteners have a displeasing off-taste themselves. Other brands still use artificial sweeteners as a way to keep long-time buyers happy. That being said, artificial sweeteners possess a different flavor profile from natural sweeteners.
Are Natural Sweeteners Superior to Artificial Sweeteners?
Natural sweeteners seem to be making their way into hundreds of popular products. Natural sweeteners possess the ability to counteract intense flavors, especially the infamous graininess of plant protein. The masking ability of natural sweeteners is what makes healthy treats taste digestible. The cardboard-like, grainy, or earthy flavor found in many health products is now made enjoyable through natural sweeteners.
However, many buyers argue against the consumption of sugar. The debate as to whether sugar is good or bad for you is ongoing. But sweeteners, when created ethically, and derived from natural sources, are undeniably an important component of masking flavors.
Are natural sweeteners usurping artificial sweeteners? It’s hard to say. But one thing is for sure, and it’s that you can taste the difference between natural and artificial sweeteners.
Choose Healthy Sweeteners & Enhance Flavors
OSF Flavors help product developers create sensational, healthy, and clean-label food options for their customers. Through our clean-label process, we create stunning flavors that make products exceptional. Our healthy sweeteners, masking flavors, and organic flavors are always sourced ethically and are crafted with care. Request a sample to get a taste of what we do.