Sensient Flavors has launched its All Natural Flavor Collections. The new flavors help food and beverage manufacturers to respond successfully to upcoming market trends and reflect current consumer preferences of botanical extracts. 

The latest findings of Sensient’s consumer and market research underpin Sensient’s new All Natural Flavor Collections, which are split into five key botanical areas: Florals, Herbs, Spices, Tea and Ginger. 

“As sophisticated consumers demand more natural, healthier options, and the chances to express their individuality, botanicals are making a comeback in the food and beverage world,” comments Barbara Lezzer, Director of Marketing Europe – Sweet and Beverage, Sensient Flavors. 

Speaking to FoodIngedientsFirst at FiE, last week, Lezzer says: “We are seeing a lot of complexity coming into products, this is across beverages as well as sweet categories. Consumers are looking for more layered products, with a top note that is a bit more unusual. Botanicals are a big trend, herbs and spices are very popular and appealing for decoration, in cocktails for example.”

“We see that spices are very effective and offer support for sweet and savory options for beverages,” she adds.  

“Pink pepper is an example that we’ve seen, we work with ginger, and we offer very diverse flavor profiles, most of the products are about telling a story. There are many opportunities in alcoholic beverages, cocktails, flavor such as thyme and mandarin and sugar reduction is also a priority for our customers, explains Lezzer. 

Sensient’s Floral Collection offers spicy and herbaceous as well as delicate and sweet flavors for a multitude of applications, from cocktails and gin to confectionery and dairy. Jasmine, chrysanthemum, desert wildflowers, elderflower, geranium, rose and lavender feature in the 10-strong line-up, alongside orange blossom, cherry blossom and hibiscus.

Sensient’s Spice Collection adds a touch of natural sophistication and complexity. A modern twist places black pepper, pink peppercorn, star anise, clove bud and saffron firmly in the beverage arena, while their inherent heat means that cinnamon, capsicum, cardamom and licorice are the ideal way to add warmth to bakery and dairy. Completing this collection, juniper berry is perfect in meat-based savories, and it even works brilliantly in beer. 

Culinary herbs add naturalness and, from an aesthetic perspective, their delicacy catches the eye in cheeses and savory snacks, soft drinks and cocktails. Sensient’s carefully curated Herb Collection comprises garden mint, coriander leaves, sage, rosemary, hops, oregano, basil, thyme, lemongrass and aloe vera.

Tea is no longer a beverage to be had at a certain time of the day. Exciting new offerings have consumers reaching for tea in different forms and flavors around the clock. It is associated with sophistication and flair as well as with naturality and health. The ability of tea to offer rich, intricate profiles makes it the perfect way to add flavor and depth to everything from ice cream to chocolate and alcoholic beverages. Sensient’s Tea Collection brings together an extraordinary exploration of 8 different tastes: green tea, matcha tea, white tea, cascara tea, rooibos, chai tea, black tea and earl grey. 

Lezzer comments: “Tea is also playing the role of an ingredient now, in not only beverages but also confectionery, dairy as well as bakery products too.”

Ginger has been trusted since Roman times and is now enjoying a resurgence amongst consumers of all ages. However, not all ginger is the same, so Sensient’s Ginger Collection comprises six distinctive flavor profiles: Classic Ginger Beer, Ginger Ale, Ginger Root (gari), Spicy Ginger, Nigerian Ginger and Chinese Ginger (galangal). Creativity can run riot with these versatile flavors in all sorts of applications, from beverages and confectionery to bakery and dairy desserts. With over 70 years of experience with ginger extracts and flavors, the Sensient team can tailor any of these to create the perfect sensorial experience for any brand.

Sensient’s All Natural Flavor Collections are based on Sensient Natural Origins, a range of authentic true to natural extracts derived from the named source (FTNS) botanical and other organic-based ingredients, created using selective extraction techniques which capture the true flavor and aroma profile of the original source.