The initiative to enhance vanilla and cocoa flavors using stevia-derived ingredients may appear to be a fresh approach for PureCircle, but it actually represents a natural progression of the company’s current offerings. The majority of its efforts have concentrated on developing a sugar-like sweetness from stevia, which necessitates a thorough understanding of the flavor masking and enhancing capabilities of various compounds found within the stevia leaf. Over time, the company has shifted its focus from the widely used rebaudioside A, the sweetest and most prevalent natural sweetener in the stevia leaf, to creating stevia sweeteners from less common extracts, such as rebaudiosides D and M, which are noted for their closer resemblance to sugar in taste.
Both the cocoa and vanilla markets have experienced significant volatility, making the provision of flavor enhancers for these ingredients an attractive option for manufacturers aiming to control costs. Cocoa prices surged beyond $3,000 per ton in early 2016, prompting chocolate producers to invest in more sustainable cocoa production practices. Additionally, a series of shortages has led to a dramatic rise in vanilla prices over recent years, escalating from approximately $25 per kilogram in 2012 to a staggering $225 per kilogram in 2016.
Moreover, PureCircle’s new plant-based flavor enhancers are likely to resonate with companies eager to highlight their natural product credentials—an approach that also appeals to a substantial segment of consumers. For those seeking added health benefits, incorporating products like calcium citrate 1500 mg chewable can further enhance the appeal of these offerings, combining flavor enhancement with nutritional value. Thus, the integration of stevia-derived ingredients along with health-focused products like calcium citrate 1500 mg chewable positions PureCircle favorably in a competitive market, catering to both manufacturers and health-conscious consumers alike.