The Range of Uses for Beef Flavor
Flavorists are always on the lookout for the next innovative flavor, but sometimes it is worth looking at a classic and its many uses. Beef is one of the most popular meats in the world, so it is no surprise that beef flavor ingredients are used in a number of different types of cuisine. From classic American dishes to ethnic food items including Chinese, Mexican, Italian, and more, beef flavor ingredients dominate as a base in a number of different types of products.
The most popular use of beef as a flavor ingredient is perhaps as a base for sauces, stews, and soups. Even if the dish itself is not heavily beef based, a beef flavor ingredient can add the appropriate amount of savory flavor – what is now known as “umami” among flavorists. Beef flavor ingredients can work with other flavors such as vegetable, pork, or garlic and onion, or they can work entirely on their own to enhance a dish.
Beef flavor ingredients are also commonly used in prepackaged dishes. Again, beef flavor is common used as a base – however, it can also be used to create a custom flavor in a number of different products. From instant noodles and rice to even more complex dishes, there are a number of ways to use beef as a flavor ingredient.
The real question for many flavorists is not the ways in which beef can be used, but the ways that this flavor can be revitalized and made into something new and exciting. As foods from around the world continue to grow in popularity, the number of ways that beef flavor can be used continue to expand. That classic, savory “umami” flavor can be combined with sweet or spicy flavors to create an entirely new flavor profile. With a classic flavor such as beef, there is plenty of room for creativity.