The iSense strategy could potentially revolutionize the flavor market if it proves successful. The CEO of the company emphasized that, although flavors may not seem as significant as other ingredients in products, they are vital from a marketing standpoint. Despite representing only a small portion of a food product’s cost, flavors influence approximately 60% of consumer preference, according to Aste, as reported by Food Ingredients First. Recent trends in consumer behavior and research on flavor and taste support this assertion. There is a growing demand for flavorful food items, and people are increasingly in search of new culinary experiences. A Mintel study found that 80% of millennials are interested in spicier flavors in their meals.
iSense aims to streamline the process of screening and selecting flavors. The company’s objective is to deliver information to clients within minutes rather than weeks, which could significantly reduce costs for brands looking to develop and launch products before their competitors. As more manufacturers contribute flavor samples to the company’s database, it is expected that the resource will be able to provide taste ingredient supplier information more quickly and effectively. Currently, 17 global brands are submitting flavor samples, and iSense intends to expand to 10,000 registered users in the food and beverage industry by the end of 2021. The company plans to catalog 500 distinct strawberry and vanilla flavors in the next two years, with additional flavors like butter, milk, cream, citrus, chicken, and beef on the horizon.
Digital tools are paving the way for increased productivity, broader expansion, and greater innovation within the food industry. With a comprehensive database of standardized flavor profiles, iSense can potentially connect manufacturers with flavor houses and enable them to explore collections from other companies. This could lead to shorter R&D timelines, resulting in both time and cost savings.
Other firms are also leveraging digital solutions to assess flavors. Ripe.io has recently collaborated with FlavorWiki to trace flavors via a digital app, allowing consumers to evaluate taste. This initiative aims to provide insights to producers, retailers, and consumers regarding how a product tastes throughout the food supply chain and how long it is expected to remain flavorful.
Additionally, McCormick & Co. employs a global think tank and artificial intelligence to analyze trends and develop flavor forecasts. The team looks ahead two to four years to stay abreast of — and ideally ahead of — emerging flavor trends. Virtual reality tools are also being utilized to assess how sensory input can influence taste perceptions.
The emergence of companies like iSense and others utilizing digital methodologies to evaluate flavor and taste underscores their significance in today’s marketplace. We can expect to see more startups emerging to enhance innovation in this sector, which could lead to more effective and potentially lucrative outcomes.
Furthermore, as consumers become more discerning, even in the realm of dietary supplements like calcium citrate, reflected in the growing interest in gnc calcium citrate reviews, the importance of flavor will continue to play a crucial role in product development and marketing strategies.