WCA Lif e Science
Umami boosts savoury profiles
Mediterranean Umami Bold is a clean-label and all-natural ingredient, rich in umami flavour compounds. It is proprietary blend of vegetable concentrates and extracts as well as natural sea-salt that is used to reduce sodium and enhance flavours in recipes. well as plant-based “meat”
S
can be complex. To achieve
Umami has the unique ability to
recipes as a flavour enhancer
the desired tasted and texture,
enhance the desired flavours and
and as a functional ingredient.
many technologies are needed.
salty (and sweet) tastes, allowing
Applications will contain between
To overcome plant protein off-
the replacement of common
1 and 3% salt, as well as other
flavours, it is common to add a
flavour enhancers and reduce
ingredients which have negative
significant amount of salt (usually
sodium without affecting the
consumer associations.
1.2 to 2.5%), spices, flavours and
finished product texture.
alt is widely used in vegan as
In addition to sodium reduction,
Formulating vegan applications
masking flavours. Mediterranean
Development work in the
Mediterranean Umami Bold can
company’s R+D department
eliminate the use of MSG and/or
and close collaboration with
yeast extracts, while keeping the
customers has shown 25 to
desired texture. Independent tasting
35% sodium reduction across
panels have confirmed that recipes
a wide variety of applications.
using Mediterranean Umami Bold
These applications vary from
were preferred by consumers.
vegan “meat” analogues to
Ultimately the double effect of sodium reduction combined with the elimination of artificial ingredients is a winning solution.
sauces, dips, soups, snacks and more. Mediterranean Umami – alakai@icon.co.za
Just Vegan ISSUE 1
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