The French business, which supplies ingredients including dried and frozen herbs, has developed the Mix Seasoning liquid bread flavorings after producing flavorings for the dairy industry.
Darégal hopes the range – launched at the Food Ingredients Europe (FIE) show in Paris this week - will appeal to bakers looking to tap consumer demand for new culinary experiences. The 100% natural flavorings range from classics such as mixed herbs and garlic & onion to exotic tastes including a Thai-inspired blend using coriander, lemongrass, chili and ginger.
The liquids are water-based, which guaranteed a smooth blend when mixed with dough, said Darégal, adding they are suitable for all types of bread including baguettes, loaves and burger buns.
Two year shelf life
They are manufactured in France on a production line dedicated to liquid flavorings and are allergen and GMO-free, said the supplier, adding the liquids had a two-year shelf life when frozen and 12-week life in ambient storage.
“These will offer manufacturers a fresher taster than dry herbs,” Darégal sales manager Annabelle Schenberg told BakeryandSnacks. “Also, when you dry herbs they tend to lose a little color, which these do not.”
Schenberg added the variety of flavors and colors in the range could enable bakers to tap new sales opportunities such as snacking.
Opportunity for growth
The launch comes as manufacturers in some Western markets – and particularly the US and UK – are struggling to grow the bread category.
In a presentation at FIE, Mintel analyst Chris Brockman suggested flavored products were a potential growth opportunity for the industry. He cited Mintel research that found a quarter of UK consumers said they were interested in flavored bread, a figure that rose to 35% in France and 38% in Germany.
Flavor innovation can be challenging, however, as Hovis found when it launched three Taste Sensations wrapped loaves in the UK in spring 2014. The range, which included Sundried Tomato, Basil Pesto and Fiery Sweet Red Pepper flavors, was axed after less than a year on shelf.