The Need

Vanilla, a beloved and widely used flavoring agent. The traditional curing process for vanilla beans is labor-intensive and time-consuming, taking up to nine months. Quicker curing methods compromise the flavor quality, creating a need for a technology that can identify and understand the chemical drivers of vanilla flavor liking. By uncovering the compounds responsible for vanilla's allure, this technology enables the development of superior vanilla products to meet the growing demand for high-quality, authentic vanilla flavor.

The Technology

Using an untargeted flavoromics approach we have characterized the chemical drivers of vanilla flavor liking. A combination of cutting-edge untargeted GC/MS-QToF and LC/MS-QToF profiling, along with sensory evaluations involving consumer liking studies and descriptive analysis were employed to identify compounds responsible for increased consumer liking. These compounds can be utilized as an additive to increase the native flavor of vanilla products.

Commercial Applications

• Flavor Enhancement: Food and beverage manufacturers can utilize the technology's findings to enhance the natural vanilla flavor in their products, ensuring a consistent and delightful taste that resonates with consumers.
• Quality Control: Vanilla producers and manufacturers can use this technology to monitor and maintain the desired flavor characteristics during the curing process, ensuring a consistent and high-quality end product.

Benefits/Advantages

• Superior Flavor Quality: Enhance a product’s vanilla flavor with these compounds that drive vanilla flavor liking.
• Time and Cost Efficiency: The technology enables quicker and more efficient flavor development while enhancing quality.
• Innovation and Market Differentiation: Embracing this technology will set companies apart in the market, allowing them to position themselves as leaders in the production of high-quality, naturally flavorful vanilla goods.
• Sustainability: With faster and more efficient curing methods, the technology supports sustainable vanilla production by reducing resource consumption and minimizing environmental impact.