Concentrated Bases for Smoothies

Smoothies have hit the big time. Once a niche offering served out of specialty shops, smoothies are now being served at the nations top foodservice chains, including McDonalds and Starbucks.

The smoothie trend has proven to be much more than a fad," says Dennis Reid, vice president marketing and business development, SensoryEffects Flavor Systems. They are here to stay, because they tie into several macrotrends, including meal replacement, on-the-go convenience and healthy beverage alternatives."

To help foodservice operators and beverage manufacturers capitalize on the smoothie trend, the company offers turn-key concentrated smoothie systems that offer a low cost of entry and a simple supply chain, and are easy to incorporate into current operations.

Our concentrated bases offer a more-simplistic method to produce a smoothie, requiring fewer ingredients to be kept on hand," Reid notes. With a concentrated base, you also dont pay for water or bulk ingredients to be shipped."

The smoothie bases are available in dry or wet form. While dry forms are more convenient, according to Reid, they also add costs and tend to have less flavor impact. Wet systems, on the other hand, are perhaps not as convenient, but do offer higher flavor intensity at a lower cost.

Foodservice operators and beverage manufacturers can also choose from a variety of flavors, including the always-popular strawberry, strawberry-banana, mango and raspberry.

We believe the up-and-coming flavors include coconut/pina colada, pineapple, orange, lemon, lime, pomegranate, açaí and teas," Reid says. We are also getting requests for creative and customized blends."

In addition to customizing flavors, the company can formulate a system with or without sweeteners. Although Reid says most of the companys customers request refined sugar for cost effectiveness, stevia, agave syrup and honey are also popular. Or, sweetener can be left out of the base completely if yogurt, soft-serve ice cream or sherbet will be added on-site.

Although smoothies already have a healthy halo, a variety of functional ingredients can also be added to the concentrated bases. Whey protein isolates are popular additives, Reid says, as are condition-specific blends of vitamins, minerals, probiotics and herbal ingredients.

All of these additives alter the flavor, color and texture of the smoothie base, so each specific additive blend needs to be tested for impact," Reid says. The flavor profiles and formulas can be altered and optimized to compensate for off flavors, color and texture, as long as the functional system is part of the smoothie base."

SensoryEffects Flavor Systems

231 Rock Industrial Park Drive

Bridgeton, MO 63044

Phone: 800/422-5444

Website: sensoryeffects.com