We recently discussed how plant-based foods were becoming a more mainstream element of consumers’ diets: from the average household to elite athletes, and how this was a core component of the macro trends of personal- and planet-health. In the following article we explore how the challenges of development can be overcome through ingredient selection, and see this in action in a ground-breaking creative culinary demonstration by the chefs at Bingham and Jones, using the flexFORWARD range of plant-based ingredients.
Taste, texture and functionality
The secret to the successful growth in the plant-based sector, has been through the introduction of a wider range of products. This has only been possible through the research and development that has gone into improving the suitability of the ingredients. Whether it is the extraction process itself, the de-odorization, or the focus on functionality, such as solubilisation or emulsification, these technologies are enabling the development of great products, and providing chefs and developers the tools to deliver the quality that consumers demand. Personal health and planet health are the underlying drivers of the trends, and plant-based products satisfy this, but taste wins. The next generation of plant-based ingredients are delivering that taste, texture and functionality to a level not previously seen, this is largely due to the functionality and flexibility of ingredients such as those presented in the Univar Solutions flexFORWARD range.
Application and Creativity
The benefit of increasing plant-based components in our diets is starting to become well-known amongst the wider consumer population. Meat eaters (reducers) represent the largest portion of the market demand for plant protein: 22Million UK residents consider themselves ‘Flexitarian’, and almost 70% want to reduce meat consumption further and so recognise the dual benefit of personal- and planet-health.
However, there is a big challenge in achieving long-term lifestyle change and retention of these consumers within a flexitarian lifestyle. Around a quarter of ‘carnivores’ wish to reduce meat consumption, but, it has been suggested, in a 2015 study, that up 80% of new ‘vegans’ or ‘vegetarians’ return to eating meat. Although it must be noted that with the increased focus on climate-change in 2020, and the beneficial impact that plant-based diets can offer in that regard, there is likely to have been a favourable shift, since that study.
The commitment drop is largely due to overall dominance of the core meat sector, and the relatively smaller, although increasing, amount of choice and variety, as well as non-meat products not meeting the consumer expectations of sensory quality. This presents an exciting opportunity for the food ingredient industry with companies such as Univar Solutions Food Ingredients stepping up with its portfolio of plant-based ingredients to address the taste, texture and functionality within its flexFORWARD range. It also presents an exciting opportunity for creative product developers and innovators such as Bingham and Jones to translate these ingredients into food products that consumers recognise, want to eat and will love.
Plant-Based Innovation
For the producer of meat- and dairy-free foods there is an ever-increasing amount of choice of plant-based ingredients, and navigating the right technology and the right development options can be challenging.
Univar Solutions is responding to this by simplifying product development through showcasing its hero plant-based ingredients within the flexFORWARD brand and providing solutions that deliver the taste, texture and functionality desired.
This approach is quite an exciting development as Univar Solutions has recognised that health-conscious consumers are hungry for plant-based foods and alternative meat and dairy sources to improve health and that these products need to deliver on taste, texture and nutrition. Providing this suite of solutions allows the developer to access the nature-inspired formulations which offers an opportunity to develop food products that are better for you and better for the planet.
Univar Solutions Food Ingredients is hosting its ground-breaking creative culinary demonstration on the 8th December, with industry leading creative chefs from Bingham and Jones, showcasing what is truly possible with plant-based ingredients using the flexFORWARD range.
The ground-breaking creative culinary demonstration is not really a webinar at all. The format is a combination of a culinary demonstration, showing what’s possible and how to develop great tasting and appealing products, followed by a live Q&A session. The broadcast will be recorded so those registered can watch it back or catch it up at a time more convenient. But you do need to be registered to access this content. The only disappointment is that it’s not possible to taste the products while they are being cooked in front of us. So, you will have to bring your own lunch, sit back, watch, learn, and be inspired.
