Natural fruit flavors have become an increasingly popular option in food and beverage products due to consumer awareness of potential health risks related to artificial additives and synthetic ingredients.
To create natural passionfruit flavors, IFF flavorists start by identifying its molecular fingerprint. Next, they match it up with compounds available in their lab and formulate accordingly.
1. Fresh Fruit
Flavor is at the core of why people pursue and consume certain varieties of fruit. Although growers typically receive compensation based on physical characteristics (size, color, lack of defects and glossiness), taking flavor into account is one way to maximize marketability and profitability for any given fruit variety.
Natural flavors offer an easy way to add an authentic, just-picked taste into products, making them safe to consume and suitable for a range of applications. Due to the large range of ingredients contained within natural flavors, it’s essential that consumers read labels carefully when purchasing natural ones; be aware of any allergies or dietary preferences, especially if there are allergies or special dietary considerations that must be met. Luckily there are organic non-GMO options that use no synthetic extraction solvents or preservatives as these natural flavors offer more natural goodness.
2. Puree
Fruited sours were among the top styles most frequently checked-in on Untappd last year, making up one hundred percent real fruit puree when making fruit-infused sour beers, according to Burke Dingham of Trillium Brewing Company. He claims this allows for full range of aromatic compounds from each fruit puree component to come through and shine brightly through their aroma compounds.
Ravifruit offers premium natural fruits and frozen fruit purees for chefs, mixologists and home brewing enthusiasts. Their products are created using fruit harvested at the peak of ripeness to promote sustainable farming methods and utilize an all-natural sweetener without adding color or flavor enhancement. Their fruit purees differ from juice in that they retain pulp fiber while extracting water, creating thicker liquid.
3. Juice
“Natural flavors” listed as an ingredient on an ingredient label could either be considered positive or negative. While these chemicals come from plants or animals, their manufacturing often alters them beyond recognition, although they’re FDA regulated and generally considered safe to consume.
Natural flavors are used to add depth of flavor and consistency in food and beverages, without providing nutritional value. You may find natural flavors in packaged juices, smoothies, sports drinks and many other beverages.
Natural flavors do not need to be listed on an ingredient list, but are subject to FDA regulation and could contain allergenic components like milk and soy. Being aware of such ingredients could impact your dietary requirements.
4. Fruit Chips
Fruit chips can make an excellent snack option when they’re free from sugary ingredients or preserved with sulfites; however, they can also contain sodium and oil which could increase sodium intake and cause oily build-up on teeth over time. Furthermore, their addictive qualities mean it can be easy to munch through bags mindlessly!
Baked chips may not be considered an ideal snack by themselves, but they’re suitable when combined with fresh or cooked vegetables and fruits. Homemade chips offer more self-control due to having to prepare small batches at once while it can be easier to overindulge in packaged varieties.
Your Dehydrator makes making fruit chips simple, cost effective and fun! Just layer slices on a silicone lined baking sheet, sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mix and bake for two hours at 135 F (55 C).
5. Snacks
Many packaged foods labeled with “natural flavors” contain chemical additives that are far from natural, yet manufacturers do not have to disclose what’s actually included in them on ingredient lists despite them potentially including preservatives, solvents and industrial chemicals (even secretions from beaver anal glands!).
Consuming foods and beverages containing “natural flavors” on an occasional basis should not present serious health concerns for most individuals; however, those with severe food allergies or sensitivities should read ingredient labels closely. When selecting snacks made with real fruit and fewer additives such as Annie’s Homegrown Organic Ketchup or Simple Mills Crackers could provide better alternatives than major snack brands in terms of both nutrition and the environment.
