Off-Note Masking

Off-Note Masking, Naturally

At Biospringer, our team of culinary experts excels in overcoming flavor off-note challenges encountered during the formulation of various food and beverage applications. Whether it’s crafting vegan and vegetarian products, sweet delicacies, or processed meats, we have honed our skills to perfection. Our specialized expertise includes meeting modern off-note masking demands, particularly in sweeteners and plant proteins.

In a groundbreaking initiative in 2022, Biospringer’s R&D department collaborated with the prestigious Center for Taste and Feeding Behavior (INRAe – CSGA, France) to conduct a pioneering scientific study. Using a unique methodology and cutting-edge technology, this study dove into the intricate interplay between TAS2R bitter taste receptors and our proprietary formulation, Springer^® Mask 101. The findings of this study demonstrated the efficacy of Springer^® Mask 101 as a powerful bitter masking agent, making it a significant addition to the world of flavor innovation.

Revolutionizing Taste: Functional & Aromatic Masking

Flavor masking solutions can differ based on the nature of the off-note and the finished product. We offer yeast-based solutions that can be utilized based on specific formulation challenges:

Prevent the detection of unwanted off-notes by blocking bitter receptors in the mouth.
Reduce or mask unpleasant notes by intensifying positive organoleptic properties.

Meeting Consumer Demands

Plant-based alternatives
Strongly driven by health and environmental concerns, consumers crave plant-based alternatives such as dairy, meat, and fish analogues. Inspired by this demand, food manufacturers search for solutions to create great-tasting alternatives with plant proteins such as soy and pea proteins.

Low-sugar and sugar-free options
Consumers are looking for reduced sugar or sugar-free beverages, sauces, snacks, and more to fit their dietary needs—without the unwanted aftertaste. With an increasing need and demand, food and beverage manufacturers today must meet the challenge of providing tasty, reduced sugar products.

Yeast Extract: The Power to Mask Flavor

Due to a great diversity of taste properties, yeast ingredient’s main benefit is the taste improvement of food and beverage applications. Some yeast extracts will round off flavors, while others bring intense umami, or specific notes like beef, chicken, toasted, roasted, and more.

Yeast extracts to mask off-notes like:

Soy and Plant-Based Proteins
Essential Oils, and Botanical Extracts
Bitter Notes
Earthy, Beany, and Astringent Notes
Vitamins and Minerals
Natural and Artificial Sweeteners

Commonly used in products that claim:

Vegan and Vegetarian
Natural and Clean Label
Non-GMO
Gluten Free and Allergen-Friendly
Halal and Kosher

Yeast Extracts Pave the Way for Plant-Based & Sugar Reduction

The food industry is seeing growth in new products within the plant-based and reduced sugar sectors for both food and beverages. Their primary challenge lies in crafting flavorful offerings while minimizing undesirable tastes—such as metallic off-notes and bitterness introduced by sweeteners (i.e., stevia in iced tea) or the earthy, beany notes found in plant proteins (i.e., vegan meat).

Yeast-based ingredients, considered safe and conforming to clean label standards, offer advantages beyond taste enhancement. They serve as a natural tool for removing or reducing off-notes in various applications, including:

Gummies and Chewables
Kombucha, Prebiotic, Probiotic, Health Beverages
Processed Meats
Coffee, Tea, and Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Soups, Sauces, and Dressings
Ready-to-Eat Meals
Snacks

Product Ranges Dedicated to Flavor Masking

Unleash the full potential of flavor with our wide range of yeast-based solutions designed to improve the taste experience and bring a great variety of notes—from base to top, from savory to sweet, from bold to subtle—for more engaging taste profiles.

Springer^® Mask — Masks licorice, metallic off-notes, bitter taste, and cuts aftertaste brought by alternative sweeteners. Masks bitter taste, beany, earthy, cardboard off-notes brought by vegetal proteins.

By combining formulation expertise and a full range of yeast ingredients, Biospringer offers a variety of cost-efficient and customized yeast-based solutions to mask unpleasant off-notes.

Global Perspective, Local Expertise

The Biospringer Culinary Center network was established to assist customers with food and beverage recipes using yeast ingredients. Our experienced food technologists and culinary team provide tailored solutions and recommendations, guided by their strong understanding of taste improvement.

In the U.S., our Culinary Center is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where you will find:

Product development support
Combined knowledge of your business and our expertise
Customized solutions and recommendations

Contact a member of our experienced and dedicated sales team to get started on your next consumer-focused product!

Give it a try!

Eager to explore the benefits of yeast-based ingredients in your product formulations? Fill in the form to request a sample of one or more offerings. Our experts will be in touch to help you choose the most suitable option for your unique needs.