As increasing globalisation encourages the exploration of flavours from around the world, consumers are becoming increasingly adventurous in their food choices. But for manufacturers, meeting this appetite for discovery comes with a challenge: how do you make products taste authentic, while satisfying expectations around health, innovation, transparency and convenience?
The growing appetite for authentic global flavours
Half of consumers globally eat food and drink from different cultures at least once a month, according to a report from Innova Market Insights, with the promise of new flavours encouraging one in two to try foreign cuisines. However, while 28% are actively looking for authentic experiences, manufacturers are noticing the emergence of a battle between tradition and innovation.
While 32% of consumers associate authenticity with classic, time-tested recipes, 61% are open to trying traditional foods with a modern twist, presenting many ingredient manufacturers with a headache concerning their limited range of capabilities.
“Consumers have become much more adventurous. They seek authentic flavours inspired by global cuisines, but they also expect those products to deliver the same depth and satisfaction they would experience in a freshly prepared meal. This is difficult for your everyday flavour manufacturer to achieve.”
Nick Dyson, chief flavourist at Plant-Ex
Emerging health trends are making things even more challenging. Natural colours and flavourings are becoming the industry standard, while clean-label ingredients lists and transparent sourcing are important dietary values for 30% of consumers globally.
Food manufacturers need to think beyond the one-dimensional flavourings that have satisfied consumers until now, and diversify their offerings to take advantage of the huge demand for authentic, natural flavour innovation.
Developing flavour for a changing market
Plant-Ex has responded to this developing global market by doing just that, breaking the mould, and offering manufacturers a diverse portfolio of products for both sweet and savoury markets.
The Bristol-based ingredients manufacturer has developed an arsenal of natural top notes, 3D Flavour Systems, botanical extracts, captive ingredients and spray-dried products, equipping themselves to meet any consumer demand that comes their way.
“Manufacturers today are balancing multiple priorities,” says Giles Drewett, CEO and founder of Plant-Ex. “They need to deliver exceptional flavour, maintain consistency at scale, meet clean-label expectations, demonstrate provenance and bring products to global markets faster than ever before.”
Plant-Ex’s response is to deliver diversity at scale. Investing heavily in its international manufacturing capabilities to run alongside factories in the UK and Poland, the firm has recently built a new facility in Turkey. This significant investment strengthens Plant-Ex’s international positioning, solidifying its ability to support food and beverage manufacturers across the Middle East and Africa, as well as the UK and Central Europe.
Offering a wide array of products from regional facilities enables Plant-Ex to work closely with local markets and respond to global flavour trends, while maintaining the technical expertise and quality standards required by international manufacturers.
As consumers continue to seek new culinary experiences without compromising on authenticity or quality, manufacturers will need partners that can translate these expectations into standout solutions. Plant-Ex’s flavour specialists do this by working with manufacturers to explore new opportunities, and develop solutions suited to their products and target markets.
To find out more about Plant-Ex’s solutions, go to Food Flavour Manufacturers & Natural Colours Supplier UK