What Innovative Flavors Are Emerging in Plant-Based Ice Creams?
Dairy has been a staple of the American diet for over a century, providing healthy calcium, protein, and other nutrients. At the same time, dairy-related ailments, such as lactose intolerance or allergies, and potential cardiovascular and cancer risks have become health concerns. Equally, a growing proportion of the population is aware of the harmful effects of dairy farming on the environment and animal welfare. Consumers want what Barry Callebaut calls a “nice-cream.”
Used for millennia in the East, Europe, and among America’s first nations, dairy alternatives have also developed in the West — starting with soy. The segment has grown globally to encompass at least 17 nut, legume, grain, and seed milks, dominated by almond, oat, soy, coconut, and pea.
As the palatability and acceptance of non-dairy milk has increased – the market is expected to reach US $62 billion in 2030 – and so has the demand for more indulgent plant milk products. These include cheese, cream, yogurt, and treats such as ice cream. The plant-based treats market was valued at $1.8 billion in 2022.
With ice cream enjoyed all year, consumers expect healthier, more natural, eco-friendly options. Creating plant-based ice creams is an ideal solution, provided the product is as creamy and tasty as the dairy original.
Plant-Based Ice-Cream Alternatives
The unique creaminess and satisfying mouthfeel of dairy frozen desserts and treats rely on fats and proteins in the product. Replicating these qualities using plants can be challenging. It emphasizes carefully sourced and combined oils and fats, selected plant proteins, texturizers, sweeteners, and other strategically used plant-based ingredients.
Quality plant proteins have always been available. Also, they often retain their beany or earthy taste, which can be tricky to work with thanks to solubility issues. Advanced technology now offers solutions, including ways to mask and modify off-notes and techniques to increase protein content.
Innovators like Cargill have developed smart fat solutions using structured, stabilized plant-based emulsions that closely imitate animal fats. Makers also use non-sucrose-based natural sweeteners such as stevia to provide optimal flavor profiles without refined sugar. Natural salts are also used to balance sweetness.
Innovative Plant-Based Ice-Cream Flavors
With production advances enabling increased plant-based frozen treat innovation, flavor possibilities now rival those in the dairy-based market. Companies such as Jolly Llama, NadaMoo, Van Leeuwens, Ben & Jerry’s, So Delicious, Oatly, and Goodpop are leading the way in plant-based frozen indulgences.
Beyond timeless favorites such as vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, Mint Chip, and salted caramel are exciting natural flavors based on real ingredients. These include Coconut Cream, Orange N’ Cream, Birthday Cake Cookie Dough, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate Fudge, Mocha Almond Fudge, P.B. & Cookies, and Cookie Crumble Strawberry Jam.
While many new flavors are nostalgic, consumers are hungry for adventure and uniqueness. For example, while as much as 73% of Americans agree that “Ice cream containing chocolate needs to be tasty and good for me,” almost six in every ten agree that “rare, unique or even crazy flavors are a way that ice cream containing chocolate can be made more exciting”.
These flavor surprises can be decidedly adult, alcoholic, international, or excitingly experimental. They can include unexpected mashups, savories, and spices. Why not try dairy-free versions of Peekaboo’s nutrient-enriched Mint Chip with Hidden Spinach and Chocolate with Hidden Cauliflower? Include tubs, bars, “drumsticks,” and sandwiches to accommodate snackification needs.
Nut bases such as almond, cashew, and coconut are mainly used to create these vegan ice cream delights. Most are dairy-free, often gluten-free and non-GMO, ethical, environmentally conscious, and sustainable. Where flavor and odor profiles require enhancement and layering, ensure equally pure and natural, EU-certified taste and aroma ingredients from Advanced Biotech.
Discover Advanced Ingredients to Advance Your Dairy-Free Ice-Cream Portfolio
Our extensive plant-based ingredients include responsibly sourced and derived distillates, oleoresins, pyrazines, thiazoles, and other dairy-free extracts. Contact us today to discuss or place your order, trial ingredient samples, or with any questions.