Firmenich has launched its Protein Shield Flavors, a new line of natural flavour solutions aimed at helping developers address the challenges they face when creating beverage products with high protein content.

Firmenich launches natural flavour solutions

Firmenich has launched its Protein Shield Flavors, a new line of natural flavour solutions aimed at helping developers address the challenges they face when creating beverage products with high protein content.

“These natural solutions confirm Firmenich’s deep commitment to advancing health and wellness,” said Chris Millington, President of Flavors. “By making healthy taste delicious we aim to make the healthy choice easier for consumers.”

High-protein beverages provide essential nutrients and have become one of the fastest growing drink categories, with global launches increasing 35% from 2012 to 2016, the company notes. However, it goes on, the bitter and astringent taste of protein is rarely appealing to consumers. Even though formulas have improved, Firmenich believes it remains a challenge to completely restore the flavor profile to where consumers expect it to be, which is where Protein Shield Flavors can make a difference.

Firmenich’s Protein Shield Flavors are said to combine key tonalities with the company’s TasteGEM technology, masking the impact protein can have on taste buds. They have been specifically developed to address the intrinsic bitterness, astringency and dry mouthfeel of a number of proteins, while also enhancing the overall flavour profile.

Protein Shield Flavors can, says Firmenich, help the company’s clients design successful high-protein products, from powder mixes to premium convenience foods, by addressing the following key criteria:

+ Delighting the Consumer: Taste is the number one driver for liking a protein-containing product

+ Natural: Protein Shield Flavors are all natural

+ Health & Nutrition Support: Protein Shield Flavors help to mask not only proteins, but also other functional ingredients used in sports and nutrition products

Firmenich says that the Protein Shield portfolio is one of many offerings the company has to help improve the nutritional profile of food and beverages. The company points out that Protein Shield Flavors were also the recipient of the ‘Most Novel Food Ingredient’ at the 7th Annual Sports & Active Nutrition Summit, held in the Netherlands in the summer of 2017. The summit brings together major players from the food and beverage industry to focus on the future of the sports and active nutrition market.