NEW TECH FOODS

Solar Foods has collaborated with US flavour developer Sensapure Flavors to create a range of flavoured protein beverage prototypes incorporating Solein, a novel single-cell protein.

The initiative is aimed at assessing the ingredient’s adaptability to consumer preferences in the US, particularly within the functional beverage and active nutrition segments.

The prototypes include ready-to-mix protein shakes in chocolate and cinnamon roll flavours, each delivering 20g of protein per 10oz serving, and ready-to-drink protein beverages in chai and velvet lemon variants, offering 32g of protein per 12oz.

Solein is positioned as a nutritionally complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids, BCAAs, iron and vitamin B12, while lacking cholesterol and saturated fat. Its neutral taste profile has been cited as a factor enabling broad flavour compatibility.

Sensapure, originally part of a nutritional supplement manufacturer before becoming an independent flavour house in 2017, contributed flavour formulation expertise for the US market.

Juan Benitez-Garcia, chief sales officer of Solar Foods, said: “What matters most for consumers is their experience with food and nutritional products, and taste plays a key role in this. Taste choices vary across different parts of the world, and partnering with Sensapure gives us valuable insights on the flavour preferences of consumers in the United States, the biggest protein-consuming market in the world. Our product concepts can help our customers accelerate their own innovation paths with Solein."

He added: “We constantly explore and discover the various uses of Solein. The flavour is especially interesting as it’s something completely new that hasn’t been tasted before. Thanks to the mild, slightly nutty umami flavour of Solein, it can be used in various combinations without off-notes, bringing creaminess and full-bodied richness to the product."

Tony Colalillo, senior VP of sales and marketing at Sensapure, added: “Solein is a very interesting and exciting ingredient which truly has the potential to revolutionise the food industry. It is very easy to work with Solein and, compared to plant-based proteins, it has excellent nutritional values with a minimal environmental footprint. Thanks to its mild taste, Solein gives a clean slate to build delicious flavours that will fit seamlessly with existing products and consumers’ favourite flavours. We are beyond excited to be working with Solar Foods and helping them demonstrate Solein’s capabilities to the food industry."