Beverages inspire Doehler’s bakery applications at ProSweets

Doehler has taken many of the ideas behind trend-setting drinks and reformulated them to be used, for instance, to create cola-flavored biscuits.

At ProSweets (currently running in Kolnmesse in Cologne until 1 February), the German-based company is showcasing ingredients offering multi-sensory experiences and is  focussing on “healthy nutrition” for the bakery industry.

We’ll drink to that​

Beverage-inspired natural flavours, natural color bases (from plants like beets and black carrots grown in Turkey for an intense red tint) and savory clays (a range of toppings for bagels and donuts) are among the company’s latest innovations on display.

Drawing on its expertise in the beverage industry, the company has revised its portfolio of plant-derived colors and flavors, juice concentrates, purees and fruit pieces to for the bakery industry.

However, Oliver Hoffman, head of Group Marketing, Doehler, told BakeryAndSnacks that, although consumers are demanding more ‘healthy’ snacks and indulgences, they won’t remain loyal if they don’t enjoy the taste and mouthfeel of a product.

‘We’ve had to come up with alternatives for our clients that will produce the same satisfying taste and mouthfeel that other ingredients, like sugar for example, provide. It’s been a big challenge to come up with something new,”​ he said.

Masking and enhancing​

However, he did confirm the company has developed a range of multisensory flavors – all natural and plant-based – that are able to either enhance or mask flavors to intensify attributes like sweetness and mouthfeel.

For example, through the process of gentle freeze drying, the shape and colour of the raw materials are retained to provide the aesthetic and organoleptic qualities that consumers are looking for.

Doehler has also produced a spectrum of natural colours – ranging from white, yellow, orange, red, brown and purple to green and blue in bright to subtle shades – that add to the sensory experience, characterised by different tastes and crunchy mouthfeel.

The whole experience is furthermore enhanced by perceived healthy aspect, that is, by incorporating fruits and vegetables in combinations that create cooling-effect flavours.