Premium foods are increasingly appealing to modern consumers. The reason? An increased awareness of the wellness that comes from consuming products with superior ingredients and, at the same time, the need to enjoy unique sensory experiences in every bite. This means that a large percentage of people are looking for more than just a commodity; their palates demand authentic flavors and pleasing textures, they demand that foods convey freshness and quality.
This premiumization represents a constant challenge for manufacturers. A challenge where concentrated grape juice can be the key ingredient to deliver color, flavor, texture… and to reinforce the commitment to health. In this post we explore how grape must can help exceed the expectations of the premium market.
- What is involved in producing a premium food product?
- How can grape juice concentrate be used to create premium foods and beverages?
- Grape juice concentrate as a premium ingredient
What is involved in producing a premium food product?
Defining a product as premium depends as much on its functional attributes that provide health benefits as on the attractive experience it can represent for the consumer. Consequently, producing a premium food or beverage involves:
- Optimize each of its sensory properties, such as taste, color and texture, to the maximum. Of course, the specific premiumization of a food must take into account the particularities of the sector. For example, when determining which health benefits are most highly valued or how the texture of the product should be optimized (crunchier, creamier, etc.), the characteristics of the target market and the type of food must be taken into account. Making premium oat flakes is not the same as making premium ice cream, or whether consumers belong to generation Z or are millennials. However, for the product to be premium, its taste, texture, color, smell and overall appearance must be attractive.
- Raise the nutritional profile of the product. The concept of premium food has evolved. Post-COVID-19 consumers place greater importance on their physical and mental health, and are more willing to pay for food and beverage products with health claims labels.
- Use quality ingredients. This encompasses multiple aspects. For a food to be premium, it must have 100% natural, healthy and unique ingredients, with controlled traceability of origin and comply with quality and food safety certifications.
Grape juice concentrate is positioned as an allied ingredient to meet all these expectations in premiumization, offering both sensory and functional benefits. It is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and natural sugars. In addition, its ability to enhance flavors, to provide natural sweetness and to improve the appearance of products positions it as an essential component in the production of premium foods and beverages.
How can grape juice concentrate be used to create premium foods and beverages?
Here’s how grape concentrate can meet today’s demand for flavor, color and premium quality in food and beverages.
Premium foods with intense and attractive colors
Studies from Oxford University and Wageningen University indicate that vision, especially color, is the signal used by the human brain to make a prediction about the likely aroma and taste of the food before deciding to buy or taste it. Consequently, in premium food design, color plays a crucial role in establishing certain psychological expectations in consumers and influencing their behavior. For example, the more intense the color of the food (without the packaging), the more likely consumers are to assume that it also has a more intense flavor. And if sweets are presented in a variety of colors, people are more likely to consume them (for example, Nestlé Smarties or M&M’s chocolate dragees). It should be noted that colors are not strictly associated with a particular flavor. Although some shades tend to be related to a specific flavor, such as purple with grape flavor, it really all depends on the type of product (cakes, soft drinks, creams, etc.) being developed and the cross-cultural values of the target audience.
If we are talking about intensifying or providing color to premium foods, it is essential to use natural colorants that match the sensory impact that the manufacturer wishes to generate. In this scenario,
- Red grape must can provide a vibrant natural color, in a wide range of shades from dark red to violet. This is due to its high content of anthocyanins, the plant pigments found in grape pulp and skin, which also impart red, blue and purple colors to other fruits and vegetables. This pigment is soluble, so it can be easily diluted and distributed when incorporated as a natural colorant in beverages or foods. In addition, grape must also offers functional properties (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory) that make it an attractive premium ingredient.
- The concentrated grape juice that stands out for its high coloring capacity is obtained from Garnacha Tintorera, a unique grape variety that only grows in Castilla La Mancha. Its color intensity can vary from cherry red (a deep red with a touch of black or brown) to deep purple. This concentrate is an excellent natural colorant for:
- Ice cream, gelatins and yogurts.
- Energy drinks, carbonated beverages, juices and alcoholic beverages.
- Desserts, jams and creams.
Indulgent foods
Among the current food trends are premium indulgences. Traditionally, indulgent foods are those that people consume more for the sensory pleasure they provide and the reward function; because they are delicious, appealing and pleasant in texture. However, they are usually also high in fat, calories, sugars, carbohydrates, etc. Consumers, although committed to the pursuit of their well-being, do not want to lose this pleasure, so they are now looking for a balance between indulgence and health.
Grape juice concentrate is a product that can be harnessed to provide healthy indulgence. Because of its organoleptic characteristics, it can be incorporated as an ingredient in certain premium treats, such as energy drinks, cookies, soft drinks, baked goods, ice cream and sorbets, to turn them into permissible delights. How do you do it?
- Must is a product that preserves the colors, flavors, nutrients and other properties of the grape. Therefore, not only does it raise the nutritional profile, it also helps to reduce sugars and avoid artificial colorings and flavorings. Specifically, it can contribute to indulgent foods:
- Vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, A, K and E, and minerals such as potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and calcium.
- Natural sugars. Grape must contains only fructose and glucose (not sucrose), making it a powerful natural sweetener. In isotonic beverages, it can even provide certain components necessary for the rehydration of athletes.
- Antioxidants. Grape concentrate is rich in antioxidants. It mainly contains high levels of resveratrol, a compound with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-aging and anti-microbial properties.
- Intense flavors. The must concentrates all the essence of the ripe grape, including the aromas. It is an elixir with a unique flavor profile, sweet, fresh and with fruity notes. It is a flavor that everyone enjoys and can bring satisfaction and pleasure to the palate. Therefore, it can be used as a flavoring to add depth to sauces, or to provide a comforting taste in beverages and ice cream. When used as a flavoring, in the right concentration, it does not alter the color of food.
Grape juice concentrate as a premium ingredient
At JULIÁN SOLER, we carry out a unique process to offer a premium must 100% natural and free of additives, which preserves all the nutritional and organoleptic properties of the grape. Traceability and exhaustive quality control, at every stage of production, allows us to ensure the high quality of our concentrated grape juices, white and red. This positions them as one of the preferred ingredients for the premiumization of food products.
If you need more information, contact us. We are your Global Grape Solution Supplier. We deliver grape must anywhere in the world, as and when you need it.
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