As consumers increasingly seek positive, engaging and complete sensorial experiences from their plant-based food experiences, Duas Rodas revealed its latest creation, which combines aroma and technological innovations.
The Brazilian producer is aiming to optimize the flavor, texture and juiciness of its meat to vegetable proteins.
Meat flavor must
In the Brazilian flavors market, 44% of the country’s consumers state that the presence of meat flavor is an important decision-making factor when considering a plant-based alternative buy, according to 2019 data from Mintel.
Plant-based purchasers increasingly comprise vegan and vegetarian diets. The flexitarian audience, which is a group of consumers opting for occasional substitution of meat for plant-based products, is also on the rise.
Using technologies such as bioprocess to create an authentic meat flavor from natural sources, Duas Rodas provides a flavor similar to beef. Grilled and roasted meat, onion, garlic and black pepper hints of flavor are also produced to recreate an authentic meat substitute.
Removing unwanted protein flavors
The new solution is complete with a tasteful technologies flavor modulator that acts on the “off-notes” from soy and pea proteins, deemed undesirable by consumers. Simultaneously, the flavor modulator is also designed to increase the texture of plant-based alternative products.
Combining aromas and condiment varieties, the new plant-based platform “makes it possible to bring the flavor, texture and juiciness of meat to hamburgers with vegetable protein”, stated Steven Rumsey, Director of Innovation and Technology, Duas Rodas.
Changing diet preferences
Plant-based foods are often considered natural and nutritious, appealing to consumers’ need for food and beverages that support health and wellbeing. Yet, as Brazilian consumers emphasize the importance of meat flavor in vegetable proteins, consumers are unwilling to purchase products lacking the odor, taste and texture qualities of traditional meat-based foods.
As vegan, vegetarian and flexitarian dietary preferences grow in prominence, the popularity of plant-based products has also expanded. Centering its new product development on flavor and ingredients manufacturing for the food and beverage industries, Duas Rodas has created its plant-based technology to increase consumer appeal for vegetable proteins.
Production obstacles
Sharing insights on the manufacturing challenges of producing plant-based alternatives, Rumsey explained: “This has been a great technical and sensorial challenge for the food companies, considering the characteristics of the plants, which are quite different from those of meat.”
Duas Rodas invested in “technology, research and studies by [its] multidisciplinary team of flavor specialists” to develop the plant-based portfolio and meet growing market demand.
Consumer insights in Brazil
Along with its founding manufacturing plant in Santa Catarina, Duas Rodas currently has two other factories in Brazil, in Sergipe and São Paulo. In total, the company has four facilities in Latin America, located in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico. It also has seven research and development centers, along with one innovation center.
“Knowing the consumer deeply, understanding the trends of food in the future, as well as their needs and desires today”, is integral to developing the plant-based nutrients space, Duas Rodas’ Marketing Manager, Paulo Fernando Roquette Mokarzel, highlighted.
Commenting on the importance and impact of these consumer insights in the Latin American market, Duas Rodas’ Marketing Manager added that along with demonstrating a competitive advantage, people using innovative technology such as their newly-launched platform will be “closer to serving a slice of the market that only tends to grow”.
