Strawberry Flavor

Okay strawberry lovers, did you know that Sunday, February 27, 2022, is National Strawberry Day in the U.S.? Perhaps not, but most everyone knows that strawberries are as easy to love as they are to grow. Just as the strawberry plant flourishes nearly anywhere in the world, so too the taste of strawberries holds nearly universal appeal.

Conjure up the experience of choosing a quart of strawberries at a farmers’ market or picking-your-own from a field in mid-June. Imagine the beautiful, deep red color of a perfectly ripe strawberry and the soft, seedy, dimpled texture as you lift one to your mouth. At about chin level, your nose catches its uniquely fruity-floral fragrance kissed with hints of sweet caramel. Eagerly you bite into its soft flesh, releasing a bright, juicy burst of sweetness balanced by a hint of subtle acidic complexity, and you think, “how delicious!”. No doubt this was the same reaction that drove Roman poets such as Virgil and Ovid to fondly reference “fraga” or strawberries in their works.

Complexity, Variation & the “Correct” Strawberry Profile

There are more than 350 chemicals that occur naturally in strawberries. By comparison, raspberries contain about 200 chemicals and blueberries, less than 100. Though it is impractical and unnecessary for any flavor formula to contain a hundred compounds, strawberry flavor formulas can contain more than most. Unlike cherry, which is largely characterized by one chemical (benzaldehyde), strawberry is a complex of multiple esters, acids, aldehydes, lactones and other GRAS listed chemicals. A common ester like ethyl butyrate may contribute an important note, but many other esters do as well. The same can be said of specific aldehydes, lactones and sulfur compounds. Though it may be relatively easy for an untrained flavorist to create an acceptable cherry flavor, the complexity of strawberry requires the skill of a trained and experienced flavorist who understands how to create and bend the profile of a strawberry flavor to a profile customers desire.

So wouldn’t it great if everyone agreed on the perfect flavor profile of strawberry? Perhaps, but in reality, people do not universally agree on an ideal organoleptic profile of strawberries or most other fruits for that matter. Reasons for this include the natural variation of the fruit from region-to-region and season-to-season and the profiles of various strawberry flavored products for which we acquire tastes over time.

The key to selecting the best or “correct” strawberry flavor profile for your product should be determined by the profile most desired by faithful consumers of that or similar products. Also, some flavor profiles are more suitable for certain products. For example, beverages generally require more of the lighter aromatics; candies, cooked and more acidic notes; and fruit fillings/toppings, a more jam-like character. Since a flavor profile can be fashioned in many ways, taking the time to research what consumers of a product find most appealing, then communicating that to your flavor partner can help ensure long-term market success! Check out this list of helpful descriptors of strawberry and other common fruit flavors. It’s considered a very useful brainstorming tool by a number of experienced beverage and food developers.

Applications, Profiles & Pairings for Strawberry Flavors

abelei flavors offers a broad range of Strawberry flavors fitting any specification or label requirement: Water or Oil Soluble, Natural, Organic, Whole Foods Compliant, TTB-Approved, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Allergen-Free, Kosher, Halal… you name it, for a wide variety of beverage applications; for instance, agua frescas, protein shakes, juices, kombuchas, hard seltzers, wine, liquor or malt-based cocktails, beers, spirits of all kinds, drinking vinegars, soft drinks, sparkling water, tea leaves, RTD tea, powder drink mixes, and functional beverages of all kinds. You name it, we’ve flavored it!

There are also many food products that feature abelei’s Strawberry flavors: protein bars, fish oils, dietary supplements, cereals, baked goods, chocolates, gummies, hard candy, compound coatings, frozen novelties, ice cream, fro-yo, desserts, and others.

Below are some ideas on the different types and pairings of Strawberry flavor in abelei’s extensive flavor formula library. To get your project started, click on a button at the bottom of this blog to either request samples online, or schedule a phone meeting with a knowledgeable abelei representative.

Classic Strawberry Flavors

For a sure winner, start with our true-to-fruit, classic Strawberry flavors. Looking to build on that? Talk with abelei’s flavor team about the nuances you prefer. What stage of ripeness do you desire: slightly green, perfectly ripe, slightly overripe, or something in between? Perhaps you’re looking for more of a wild strawberry profile? Or, are you looking for more of that candied, cooked or jammy strawberry taste? We can bend the profile to suit your needs.

Modern Twists on Strawberry

Looking for a signature, strawberry flavor profile? Lean into what’s trending, then pair it with strawberry to create an innovative but accessible flavor profile. Here are a few ideas to consider:

Functional Flavor Combinations for Strawberry

As consumers’ palettes become increasingly sophisticated, pairing Strawberry with functional fruits, florals, herbs, and spices can help your product taste fresh and interesting. Think along the lines of Strawberry Basil, Strawberry Tumeric, or Strawberry Ginger. Try it with a blossom flavor, such as Strawberry Rose or Strawberry Elderflower.

Or consider combinations where both flavors are well-loved but not often seen together: Strawberry Honey, Strawberry Lemon, or Strawberry Blackberry. Individually, we perceive honey, lemon, and blackberry as being healthful ingredients; together with strawberry as a flavor combination, you can stand out from the competition while still appealing to a critical mass!

Tropical Takes on Strawberry

Who doesn’t need a tropical vacation, especially now? Give your customers’ tastebuds a break by using exciting tropical flavors that incorporate strawberry. Strawberry Guava, Strawberry Pineapple, or Strawberry Mango come to mind. We’re starting to see tropical flavors used in some pretty unusual applications (popcorn, anyone?), so the sky is the limit!

Indulgent Ideas for Strawberry

While Strawberry Ice Cream and Strawberry Candy flavors are sure to be winners, you can stretch your imagination when it comes to indulgent flavor ideas. How about a Strawberry Cotton Candy or even Strawberry Cookie Dough? But please don’t ask us for a Strawberry Beaver Tush flavor.

Getting Started

abelei hopes you find this information helpful. Please click on one of the buttons below to discuss the specifics of your project needs or to order samples online. We look forward to working with you!