FDBusiness.com

Synergy Flavours, the leading global manufacturer and supplier of flavours, pastes and seasonings, has launched a new range of natural chicken flavours, to add authentic taste to a wide variety of applications, including meat-free products. Inspired by the increasing popularity of chicken, the new range is also perfect for gravies, white sauces, soups, ready meals and snacks. It consists of six key profiles, including chicken breast, country-style chicken, pan seared, flame grilled, sweet fried and dark roasted chicken.

Since 2006, the number of UK product launches – particularly ready meals, soups and snacks – featuring chicken, has increased by almost eight times [Mintel GNPD]. Consumers see chicken as a healthier and more environmentally-friendly alternative to most other meats. When compared to some of the most commonly eaten meats in Europe, it has the lowest carbon emissions per gram of protein, as well the highest protein content per kcal. Chicken is also a universally-liked flavour, making it the ideal choice for a number of applications.   The rise in vegetarianism and so-called ‘flexitarianism’ has added to the demand for meat-free products that offer the taste experience of meat-containing alternatives.

To develop the new range, Synergy employed sensory and analytical science to identify the unique flavour characteristics of chicken. By studying the flavour profiles of different parts of the chicken, as well as the impact of specific cooking styles, Synergy’s research and development team identified six key profiles for creation. These profiles, which are vegetarian, Kosher and Halal, offer manufacturers the ability to confer authentic chicken flavours, such as the creamy, white meat flavour of chicken breast, or the ‘country-style’ – chicken’s herbal and roasted vegetable notes – into their products.  They can add depth of flavour in complex bases (such as in vegetarian products) and deliver product differentiation and enhanced consumer appeal.

Camille Pautrat, Savoury Flavourist at Synergy, comments: “To create this range, we cooked and analysed chicken in different ways to map its complete flavour profile. We were then able to create chicken flavours that contained the same flavour compounds and tested them in different applications. Our sensory panels evaluated the chicken profiles to ensure they achieved the desired impact. We have been building our capabilities in meat flavourings for some time, having recently expanded our beef-flavour range which allows manufacturers to easily and cost-effectively develop appealing products that deliver the depth of taste typically associated with home-cooked dishes.”

The new range of chicken profiles is available in liquid and powder formats and as compound flavours for fuller flavour impact. With extensive technical knowledge and a vast portfolio of meat flavour solutions, Synergy Flavours offers the application expertise, sensory science and market insight to help producers develop winning chicken-flavoured products.