Enhancing Carbonation

Sometimes, nothing will quench a thirst like the bubbly brightness of a carbonated beverage. So, when the fizz fizzles, it can be a little disappointing.

"The gas pressure of carbonated beverages decreases during storage and upon opening," says Shuichi Muranishi, senior manager, flavor system and technology laboratory. "Also, lighter, thinner eco-friendly bottles often offer less protection and do not retain carbonation as well as the normal PET bottles."

To help avert the issue, Ogawa & Co. developed Carbosation, a  natural flavor that helps enhance carbonated mouthfeel. The flavor is purified to contain no strong, specific flavor, but enhances the carbonation sensation without changing the original flavor profile of the beverage, Muranishi says.

Ogawa conducted a sensory evaluation of the effects of Carbosation in a commercial diet cola. The flavor was added to controlled samples of diet cola drinks with gas pressure of 3.0kg/cm² (the gas pressure was adjusted from 3.7kg/cm² to 3.0kg/cm²) and compared to samples with gas pressure of 3.7kg/cm² or gas pressure of 3.0kg/cm² without Carbosation flavor. Those samples were evaluated through blind test by 32 Ogawa flavorists, who ranked the carbonated sensation on a scale of 1 to 7.

"Results showed that by adding Carbosation flavor, the carbonated sensation of carbonated beverages with gas pressure 3.0kg/cm² increased to the sensation of the control, which had gas pressure of 3.7kg/cm²," Muranishi says. "In this way, it was found that the sensation of gas pressure was enhanced by 20%. The use level for Carbosation flavor was 0.06%."

Adding this ingredient to an existing beverage requires no significant reformulation, and it is available in both liquid and powder forms for ease of use. Both forms can be used in any beverage, as long as they have some carbonation. Usage levels may vary, however, depending on the type of flavors in a beverage.

"For carbonated beverages containing fruit flavors, use levels range from 0.01% to 0.06%, but we recommend starting with 0.04%," Muranishi says. "For carbonated beverages containing spice flavors, use levels range from 0.02% to 0.08%, with a recommended starting level of 0.06%."

Carbosation is GMO-free, allergen-free and can be labeled as natural flavor" on beverage labels.

Ogawa & Co. Ltd.

(Avri Companies, Inc. (NAFTA Distributor of Ogawa Products))

1080 Essex Ave.

Richmond, CA 94801

Phone: 510/233-0633

Website: ogawa.net/english/index.html