Goal: A Burger for Everyone to Enjoy
The quest to satisfy a broad spectrum of consumers, from vegans to omnivores looking to reduce their meat intake, posed a unique challenge for a leading meat product company: overcoming the flavor barrier associated with plant proteins.
The mission was clear: create a plant-based burger that would delight even the most carnivorous palate.
RAISE as a Flavor Modulator
RAISE is not just a natural umami extract; it is a flavor modulator that has proven capable of neutralizing the typical bitter notes of plant proteins while simultaneously enhancing meat-like flavors.
This approach was key to reformulating the sensory experience of plant-based burgers.
Transformation and Results
The application of RAISE in the plant-based burger achieved a perfect balance between flavor and nutrition, significantly improving consumer acceptance.
Meaty Flavor
The sample with RAISE scored significantly higher (4.2) compared to the sample without RAISE (3.0). This indicates that adding RAISE notably improves the meaty flavor of vegan burgers, making them more appealing to those seeking vegan alternatives with a taste profile closer to that of meat.
Flavor Intensity
Similar to the meaty flavor, the flavor intensity in samples with RAISE was rated higher (4.1) than in samples without RAISE (3.1). This suggests that RAISE not only enhances the specific meat-like flavor but also the overall flavor intensity, making the product more satisfying in terms of experience.
Umami Flavor
Burgers with RAISE also surpassed those without RAISE in umami flavor (4.0 vs. 3.1), reinforcing that RAISE enriches the flavor profile of vegan products with this characteristic and sought-after taste that is often lacking in plant-based foods.
Juiciness
Regarding juiciness, the difference was less pronounced but still in favor of RAISE (3.9 for RAISE vs. 3.2 for without RAISE). This could be interpreted as an improvement in the perception of a more moist and pleasant texture, which is a positive attribute especially in plant-based products that can tend to be drier.
Overall Texture
The overall texture was slightly better rated in samples with RAISE (3.8) compared to those without RAISE (3.3), indicating that RAISE could positively contribute to the general perception of the product’s texture.
Impact on Balanced Nutrition
This case represents not just progress in the market for plant-based alternatives but also a step forward towards sustainable nutrition.
The acceptance of these burgers among a wide range of consumers showcases the potential of innovations like RAISE to contribute to a more diverse, nutritious, and planet-friendly food system.
Do you want to know how we removed the “High in Sodium” label from a salty snack? Or how Raise interacts in baked doughs? Read more success stories here.
Develop your food with RAISE
