Pea Protein and Preferred Taste

Alternative proteins are among the hottest trends in multiple food categories like beverage, snacks, and meal replacement. Adventurous options, like algae and insect protein, are still looking for a larger consumer base, and soy and whey protein still have allergen concerns. Pea protein boasts a number of positives that have lead to substantial growth in recent years.

According to Mintel, the number of new product launches containing pea protein grew by 195% from 2013-2016. Pea protein is lower cost and requires fewer resources to produce than soy or whey protein. It is cholesterol free, lowers triglyceride levels, and is more easily digested than animal proteins. Best of all, pea protein is a non-allergenic, non-GMO, and environmentally friendly fit for applications ranging from protein shakes and bars to meat alternatives, yogurt, sliced bread, and protein cookies.

Flavor seems to be the largest hurdle for pea protein, which often contributes a pea-like flavor to many finished products, which can be off-putting to consumers. However, tremendous progress has been made with masking flavors to neutralize the unwanted side effect, making pea protein a more viable choice than ever. Recently, we have seen vegan milk companies receive significant investments, further solidifying pea protein-based products as desirable market options.

As the leaders in delivering preferred taste, our flavorists and food technologists are prepared to help you create high-protein products that taste great. Our masking flavors can assist in overcoming or muting pea-like flavor in finished products, allowing you to deliver the consistent flavor profile your customers expect. To learn more about our formulation capabilities, please get in touch.