PureCircle is launching new stevia leaf-based flavour enhancers to help companies reduce the amount of cocoa, vanilla and sugar in products.

The flavour enhancers are said to significantly enhance vanilla and cocoa flavours and can be labelled as natural flavours on product ingredient labels.

According to research by Mintel, new products containing cocoa have grown 16% over the past five years, while vanilla has increased 31% over the same time period.

PureCircles new flavour enhancers aim to bolster companies supply of limited cocoa and vanilla ingredients. The new products, it says, will allow developers to reduce the amount of cocoa and vanilla alongside sugar without compromising taste.

Commodity markets for cocoa and vanilla can be highly volatile. In 2016, cocoa prices fluctuated between $2,000 and $3,000 per metric ton. Following flooding and other issues, experts have estimated that vanilla will exceed $500 per kg.

Faith Son, head of marketing and innovation, says, "We are excited to have an opportunity to meet new needs of our customers by introducing these flavour enhancers that specifically address cocoa and vanilla. We strive to uncover new properties within the stevia leaf, and this breakthrough enables us to service new markets and customers in a meaningful way.

"PureCircle is committed to maximising the full potential extracted from each leaf, and we believe our ability to reduce sugar and enhance key flavour tonalities naturally will be a winning combination."