The new launch follows the introduction of fruit fibres as flavour carriers last year, which put to use the fibre by-product of fruit processing. Like the original fruit fibres, the new Oat Fibaromes can be used instead of typical carriers such as maltodextrin and wheatstarch.
However the fruit fibres are fruit-depictive, carrying the flavour of the fruit from which the fibre was derived. This has meant that Ungerer has been somewhat limited in the flavours it could offer by the fibres that were available – apple, blackcurrant, lemon, orange and peach.
The Oat Fibaromes range has much more flexibility, as any natural flavour required can be added to the oat fibres. Options include blueberry, cheery, coffee, pear, pineapple, raspberry, strawberry, and vanilla.
“The reason for developing natural flavourings using oat fibre as the carrier is simply to give greater flexibility for creating natural powder flavourings on a natural carrier containing fibre,” Mike Taylor, sweet flavourist at Ungerer, told FoodNavigator.com.
Healthy fibre
In addition, however, the oat fibres come with an added health punch: “The oat fibre itself contains a higher level of fibre than the fruit fibres at over 90 per cent compared to (on average) 50 per cent fibre content in the fruit fibres.”
The remainder is made up of carbohydrates, pectin and protein.
It is recommended that adults consume around 18 grams of fibre per day, however in the UK most people fall way short of this target, managing only around 12 grams.
Foods with added fibre to bridge this gap are becoming more popular, as awareness grows of fibre’s benefits for human health – including boosting satiety, slowing glucose absorption, and functioning as prebiotics.
“Although more expensive than carriers such as maltodextrin and wheatstarch, the health benefits are greater,” said Taylor.
With no declarable additives, Oat Fibaromes are also said to be suitable for use in vegetarian and organic products, and to be bake stable and freeze and thaw stable.
Ungerer traces its history back to 1893. With its head office in New Jersey, USA, the flavour and fragrance firm has a worldwide presence, with offices on every continent.