The role of FMPs in soft drinks

In the competitive world of carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks, innovation is key to staying relevant. One of the most significant advancements in recent years is the use of Flavours with Modifying Properties (FMPs). These unique ingredients are not just about enhancing taste but also about shaping it, improving sensory experiences, and meeting the demands of increasingly health-conscious consumers.

Below we explore the role of FMPs, their utility for soft drink manufacturers and their contribution to clean labelling initiatives, particularly in Europe.

What Are Flavours with Modifying Properties (FMPs)?

FMPs are specialised flavour ingredients designed to adjust or modify the sensory profile of food and beverages. Unlike traditional flavours, which add a specific taste or aroma, FMPs work by:

1. Enhancing Sweetness: Mimicking or amplifying the perception of sweetness without adding calories.
2. Masking Off-Notes: Reducing bitterness, astringency, or metallic notes that often accompany certain ingredients like artificial sweeteners or functional additives.
3. Improving Mouthfeel: Providing a fuller, more rounded sensory experience.
4. Balancing Flavour Profiles: Harmonizing different tastes to create a more appealing product.

In carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks, these properties are game-changers for both product formulation and consumer acceptance as well as offering consumers a better drink experience.

Why Are FMPs Useful for Soft Drink Manufacturers?

1. Addressing Sugar Reduction Challenges With sugar reduction becoming a global trend, especially in Europe due to government-imposed sugar taxes, soft drink manufacturers are turning to low-calorie sweeteners like stevia or sucralose. While these ingredients are effective at reducing calories, they often come with undesirable aftertastes or lack the depth of traditional sugar. FMPs can mask these off-notes and enhance the perception of sweetness, making reduced-sugar beverages more palatable.
2. Improving the Functional Profile As the market for functional beverages grows, adding ingredients like vitamins, plant extracts, or probiotics to soft drinks is becoming more common. However, these components can introduce bitterness or astringency. FMPs help mask these negatives, allowing manufacturers to create better-tasting functional soft drinks.
3. Cost Efficiency By enhancing the perceived intensity of flavours and sweetness, FMPs can reduce the need for expensive flavour ingredients or high levels of sweeteners. This cost-efficiency is especially valuable in a price-sensitive soft drink market
4. Driving Innovation FMPs open new possibilities for product differentiation. They allow manufacturers to explore complex and layered flavour profiles, such as combining sweet and tangy notes or achieving unique regional tastes, without compromising on consumer appeal.

Future of FMPs in Soft Drinks

The demand for healthier, tastier, and more transparent products will only grow. FMPs provide a critical tool for soft drink manufacturers to innovate while meeting consumer and regulatory expectations. As advancements in flavour technology continue, FMPs are likely to become even more versatile, allowing for greater customization and new product possibilities.

By leveraging FMPs, brands can deliver beverages that are not only delicious but also aligned with modern health and sustainability trends, ensuring long-term success in an increasingly discerning marketplace.

Our FMPs

Our range of FMPs counteracts the off-notes of soft drinks sweetened with non-sugar options including Stevia. They work equally well with carbonated and non-carbonated beverages, as well as acidulated and non-acidulated beverages, including energy drinks. Our ongoing research suggests that the SweetTaste2 range may very well work with alcoholic and low- or no-alcohol drinks – but further investigation is required, so watch this space!

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Alternatively feel free to drop us an email us at hello@tastealchemy.com or call us on 0113 465 4601 to find out how we can help your drinks taste better.