Elite Spice: Roasted spices and citrus are innovation areas

By Kacey Culliney

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Senior vice president Citrus Maillard reaction Fruit

The flavor profile of a spice once roasted is completely different, says Elite Spice's senior vice president
The flavor profile of a spice once roasted is completely different, says Elite Spice's senior vice president
Spices will continue to prove popular in 2014 but innovation will be seen in roasting or smoking spices and incorporating citrus into flavor mixes, says the senior vice president of Elite Spice.

Heat and spice has been a flavor mega trend over the last year, particularly in snacks​, and one most believe will stay for 2014 but see new twists.

“Spices continue to be increasing on a per person consumption basis throughout the US with strong emphasis on more pungent or more spicy, pepper-type bite, and we see that continuing on into the future,”​ said Paul Kurpe, senior vice president of Elite Spice.

Speaking to BakeryandSnacks.com at last month’s Snaxpo 2014 in Dallas, Texas, Kurpe said the centuries-old interest in spices was not going to slow, particularly as consumers continued to eat leaner, lower caloric foods that needed increased flavor profiles and taste.

However, he said there would be more variety in 2014 and it was about, “keeping up with the varieties”.

“For example, smoked paprika; it’s more of a derivation on the theme of paprika. Some of our people have even looked into roasting the actual spices to use or develop what is a reaction flavor,”​ he said.

“We haven’t got very far, but it’s an area we’re looking at.”

Kurpe said the flavor profile of a spice once roasted was entirely different as the naturally occurring sugars in the spices caramelized. “Think of it no more complicated than bread and toast. If you were to take a piece of bread and bake it, roast it or toast it, obviously its flavor profile changes considerably.”

Challenges of roasting spices

However, Kurpe said that roasting spices was not without its challenges.

“It’s a little difficult. Part of the challenge is controlling the cook process, and that’s not so easy to do,”​ he said.

There were different levels of roasting from light to medium or dark, he said, that proved difficult to assess on a mass-scale.

Adding zest with citrus

Use of citrus fruits was another area the company was looking into, he said.

“We’re doing more with citrus items, and you don’t think of that in the spice business, but lemon, orange and lime peels, for example, is an area we’re doing more with.”

Snack maker Snyder’s-Lance recently told this site that the future of exotic, ethnic snack flavors needed to go beyond hot and spicy​.

“We do not simply want to do what every manufacturer does and simply turn up the heat with tried and true spices. We developed very creative bold flavor combinations that bring exciting, authentic flavors and not just heat,”​ said Eric Van De Wal, vice president of marketing innovation for Snyder’s-Lance.

Related topics Suppliers Snacks Flavors and colors

Related news

Related products

show more

Elite Nutrition for Everybody

Elite Nutrition for Everybody

ADM | 22-Mar-2023 | Case Study

Looking for world-class, proprietary formulations that can take your brand to the next level? ADM can help. We offer an unmatched range of specialty ingredients...

Natural Vanillin for Chocolate and Confectionery

Natural Vanillin for Chocolate and Confectionery

Solvay | 13-Mar-2023 | Technical / White Paper

With an expected value of over $128 billion in global retail sales by the end of 2023, the Chocolate & Confectionery market is vibrant and full of...

A Guide to 2023 Flavor Trends

A Guide to 2023 Flavor Trends

Prinova | 21-Feb-2023 | Insight Guide

Prinova offers custom flavors, flavor matching & modification. Our flavorists have a complete understanding of the taste & color implications of...

T. Hasegawa releases 2023 Flavor Trends Report

T. Hasegawa releases 2023 Flavor Trends Report

T. Hasegawa USA | 10-Jan-2023 | Insight Guide

When it comes to flavor, 2023 promises more exciting experiences in food and beverage than ever before. Analyzing the “Now, Near and Next” of consumer...

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars