Gold Coast Ingredients (GCI) has expanded its variety of tomato flavors, at its new S.M.A.R.T. Center in Santa Fe Springs, California, US. With an increase in demand for everyday tomato flavors, the GCI Savory Team has developed an updated and more complex flavor portfolio with the goal of meeting and exceeding customers’ current expectations of tomato flavors, says the company.

Speaking to FoodIngredientsFirst, Megan Byrnes, Marketing Representative at  Gold Coast Ingredients, explains: “Our R&D Team experienced a trend of tomato flavor requests, so we chose to expand our range of flavor profiles, offer food and beverage manufacturer’s authentic and precise variations of tomato flavor and help our customers differentiate their products.” 

As a custom flavor manufacturer, GCI flavors are made-to-order. “Adding customization to tomato flavors does not compromise our abilities to keep up with demand,” Byrnes notes.

Manufacturers utilize tomato flavors to create products with consistent and reliable taste and to avoid issues arising from tomato crop inconsistencies and price fluctuations, she adds. “By offering a greater variety of flavor profiles, we foresee ongoing opportunities through customization. For example, we can expand our library of tomato flavors with new flavor combinations, as well as replicate the taste of specific types and colors of tomatoes.”

Newly developed flavor profiles include Fresh Tomato, Vine Ripened Tomato, Roasted Tomato, Fried Green Tomato, Tomato Paste and Tomato & Herb. 

Additional tomato flavor combinations that GCI expect to include are Roasted Tomato & Chipotle, Tomato & Basil and Tomato & Garlic. 

According to Byrnes, in today’s market, consumers are looking for authentic taste, as well as all natural, non-GMO and organic options. “Expanding our range of tomato flavors offers manufacturers the taste they are looking for while meeting their all natural, non-GMO and organic needs.”

“Tomato flavors also pair well with applications such as seasonings, snacks, sauces, salsas, beverages and bread,” she continues. “Tomato flavors can be made in powder or liquid form, water-soluble or oil-soluble and heat-stable depending on the food or beverage application.”