Flachsmann, Swiss manufacturer of flavours and plant extracts, presented its new Yuzu flavour at the Vitafoods show in Geneva last week, following its worldwide launch a few weeks ago.
Yuzu, a small, round, yellowish-orange citrus fruit originally from China, combines the tastes of grapefruit, tangerine and lemon. Suzanne Faessler, head of PR and communcations at Flachsmann, described the fruit as tasting of "an invigorating , sparkling rain shower", providing a "hint of exotic Asia and Far Eastern beauty" to beverages and food products.
Flachsmann claims the flavour has a balanced, fresh taste profile, ideal for use in 'near water' kinds of beverages - clear, still drinks slightly sweetened with fructose - and also in fruit juices or ice teas.
The company says applications for the new flavour profile are numerous with possibilities for use in sorbets and ice-creams, sour milk products, such as yoghurts or yoghurt drinks, as well as in confectionery such as toffees, hard boiled sweets or chewing gum.
Little known in Europe, Flachsmann is optimistic that it is only a matter of time before Yuzu, otherwise known as citrus junos sieb. Ex Tanaka, will become popular with European and American tastebuds.