According to Google trends data, online searches for the combined terms, ‘food’ and ‘immune system’ skyrocketed by over 600% between February and March 2020.
As demand for immune-enhancing products increases, manufacturers have an opportunity to innovate with immune-supporting ingredients and flavors.
Chef Ryan Kukuruzovic of the flavor firm Wixon is doing just that.
On this episode of the NutraCast, Kukuruzovic discusses how he uses his culinary expertise to incorporate immune-enhancing ingredients and flavors.
“Often when using these natural organic materials as flavoring agents in food and beverages, we need to compensate for herbal off notes or inherent bitter tastes that may occur. For example, when developing with a sweet, fruit-based profile like elderberry, challenges arise with its natural top note flavor, which can be bitter or medicinal-tasting at high levels. So, leaning into shared notes within other berries, we demonstrated this in our Smoky Berry Elderberry Meat Stick concept," said Kukuruzovic.
Kukuruzovic added that the trick in these unlikely combinations is adding in familiar flavors.
When flavoring food and beverages with immune support ingredients, selecting flavors that increase or complement a product’s health perception is key. Kukuruzovic developed various food and beverage applications using immune-friendly flavors such as elderberry, blood orange, acai and turmeric.
To hear more about this immunity flavor trend, listen to the NutraCast. You can also subscribe on iTunes, Spotify and Stitcher.
NutraCast is a podcast that focuses on insights from inside the nutrition industry. It is a production by NutraIngredients-USA. Music by Kevin Macleod.
