Beyond the sea: the rise of fish and seafood alternatives
Concerns about overfishing and pollution are increasing the demand for fish and seafood alternatives that combine taste, sustainability and nutrition.
Consumer adoption of alternative fish products relies on the manufacturer’s ability to mimic real fish. Consumers expect fish and seafood alternatives to not only taste great but also provide a similar sensory experience to traditional products when it comes to colour and mouthfeel.
Overcoming the challenges of plant-based fish
Formulating fish flavours presents its own set of challenges. Givaudan’s team of flavourists and food scientists work to capture the essence of fish and seafood, using a combination of authentic flavours, advanced technologies and natural colours that include pure whites for fish, pink beiges for tuna, and bright pink-orange tones for salmon alternatives.
Achieving the right mouthfeel in these products is often a hurdle and having a strong expertise in product development is crucial. The components of the product must work together synergistically with the flavouring solutions to deliver the desired food experience. This requires a deep understanding of the application itself.
The selection of ingredients is essential in fulfilling the mouthfeel requirements and demands of the product. Our experienced food scientists play a vital role in providing their expertise to identify and incorporate the right ingredients that contribute to the desired mouthfeel.
In addition to food scientists, our extrusion experts also play a crucial role in assisting our flavourists. They work closely together to create the perfect profiles for the food products. This process helps in achieving the desired texture and consistency, which greatly contributes to the overall mouthfeel.
Imagining the plant-based fish and seafood experiences of tomorrow
By leveraging the expertise of our food scientists and extrusion experts, we can ensure that our products provide consumers with a satisfying and enjoyable food experience.
Givaudan is committed to staying at the forefront of alternative seafood development, addressing formulation challenges to meet the evolving needs of consumers and manufacturers alike.