Firmenich creates new “Smart Protein” portfolio to help formulators work with plant protein

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Flavors company Firmenich (Geneva, Switzerland) is now featuring a “Smart Protein” portfolio to highlight the company’s ingredient solutions for optimizing the taste of plant-protein products.

“As alternative proteins often disappoint in terms of taste and mouthfeel, our ‘Smart Protein’ solutions are designed to enrich the total eating experience, addressing all product development needs, from great taste and aroma to nutrition and functionality,” said Emmanuel Butstraen, president of Firmenich Flavors, in a press release.

The company’s solutions address many inherent challenges presented by plant-based proteins, including off notes and bitterness and perceived dryness.

For savory applications, “Firmenich’s expertise in taste modulation and delivery technologies offers the fatty succulence and juiciness typical of meat products, which are generally missing in their plant-based equivalents,” the company says.

For sweet applications and beverages, “Firmenich combines a wealth of proprietary technologies to address the challenges of texture control, flavor release, and minimize ingredient interactions during processing,” it adds. “Today, the company’s experts have tailored solutions to address bitterness, grittiness, and lack of creaminess in plant-based protein yogurts, beverages, and fortified bars.”