Have you ever wondered what gives your favorite fast food fries that irresistible “beefy” taste? Or what exactly is in that “natural beef flavor” listed on the ingredients label of your favorite savory snacks?
Despite its name, natural beef flavor may not be exactly what you think it is. In fact, it’s a product of science and technology, created in a lab using a combination of organic ingredients derived from plant, meat, seafood, or dairy products.
But what exactly goes into making this mysterious flavoring? And is it really as “natural” as it sounds?
In this article, we’ll dive into the world of natural beef flavor and uncover the truth behind this popular food additive.
What Is Natural Beef Flavor?
Natural beef flavor is a flavoring product that is commonly used in savory food applications such as meat products, condiments, convenience foods, soups, sauces, and snacks. It is a combination of organic ingredients derived from plant, meat, seafood, or dairy products. While it may sound like a product of nature, it is actually created in a lab using a combination of science and technology.
According to the FDA’s Code of Federal Regulations, natural flavor is defined as “the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof.”
Essentially, natural beef flavor is a flavoring product that has components derived from beef. However, it is important to note that natural beef flavor does not necessarily contain actual beef. In fact, food scientists have identified the amino acids found in beef and added common sugars such as starch hydrolysate to create the flavor.
The Science Behind Natural Beef Flavor
The science behind natural beef flavor involves a combination of chemistry and food technology. Food chemists use a process known as the Maillard reaction to create the flavor profile. This reaction involves the use of sugars, amino acids, and yeast extracts to mimic the chemistry found in certain meat profiles. The result is a combination of hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, lactones, ethers, furans, pyridines, pyrazines, pyrroles, oxazoles and oxazolines, thiazoles and thiazolines, thiophenes and other sulfur- and halogen-containing substances.
In addition to the Maillard reaction, food scientists also use volatile compounds to deliver the overall flavor profile. Some volatile compounds require processing to adapt into a rounded meat flavor. The balance of aroma and texture is also important since taste perception involves numerous senses. To mimic a high-quality meat flavor, food scientists must think beyond just flavor.
The Ingredients Used To Make Natural Beef Flavor
The ingredients used to make natural beef flavor can vary depending on the manufacturer and their specific recipe. However, some common ingredients include glucose, D-wood sugar, glycocoll, DL-alanine, L-cysteine hydrochloride, sulfo-aminolactic acid, DL-methionine, refining beef tallow, VC, VB1, vegetable protein hydrolyzate, liquid state yeast extract, anise oil resin, cinnamon oil resin, pepper oil resin, fennel oil resin, and table salt.
These ingredients are added into a reactor in a specific sequence and stirred at room temperature for 20 minutes. The mixture is then heated up and kept warm at a temperature of 100-120 degrees Celsius for 1-3 hours. Afterward, it is naturally cooled down to 50 degrees Celsius and then sieved with a vibrating screen with 40 meshes to remove any impurities.
The resulting product is a beef flavor that can be used in a variety of food applications. The flavor is recommended for use in sauces and gravies, entrees, soup bases, or wherever a distinct beef note is required. The recommended usage of natural beef flavor is typically between 0.25% – 0.75% in the finished product.
While natural beef flavor may not contain actual beef, it can still enhance the taste of savory foods and provide consumers with a satisfying meaty flavor.
Is Natural Beef Flavor Really Natural?
Despite its name, natural beef flavor is not necessarily a completely natural product. In fact, it is often created in a lab using a combination of organic ingredients derived from plant, meat, seafood, or dairy products. While the flavor may contain components derived from beef, it does not necessarily contain actual beef.
According to food chemist Gary Reineccius, the flavor in beef is created during the cooking process. Food scientists have identified the amino acids found in beef and added common sugars such as starch hydrolysate to create the flavor. Citric acid is added to drop the pH, moisture content is controlled, and the mixture is heated to the same temperature as meat until the desired meaty flavor is achieved.
While natural beef flavor may not contain actual beef, it is important to note that it may contain other animal-derived ingredients such as hydrolyzed milk as a starting ingredient. This means that natural beef flavor may not be suitable for vegans or individuals with certain dietary restrictions.
Additionally, natural flavors in general are not always straightforward in announcing their vegan status. Some natural flavors may contain hydrolyzed proteins derived from plants or dairy, making it difficult for vegans to determine if they are truly animal-free.
The Use Of Natural Beef Flavor In The Food Industry
The use of natural beef flavor in the food industry has become increasingly popular due to a growing demand for natural and healthier foods that still provide the same taste and odor characteristics as traditional products. Natural beef flavor is commonly used in processed food applications, particularly in savory meat products such as sausages, burgers, and meat substitutes. It is also used in condiments, convenience foods, soups, sauces, and snacks.
One of the main benefits of using natural beef flavor in food products is that it does not affect the nutritional properties of the food. Instead, it works in synergy with other flavors to enhance the overall taste and aroma of the food. This allows for improved juiciness and a more harmonious sensation in the mouth, which ultimately leads to a more enjoyable eating experience.
Food companies have also been able to use natural beef flavor in meat alternatives such as high moisture texturized vegetable protein. This allows them to create products that are healthier and more sustainable while still providing consumers with the same meaty taste they crave.
Despite its name, natural beef flavor may not always contain actual beef. In fact, food scientists have found ways to create the flavor without using any meat products at all. By identifying the amino acids found in beef and adding common sugars and other ingredients, they can recreate the flavor of beef without using any actual meat.
The Health Implications Of Natural Beef Flavor
While natural beef flavor itself does not pose any distinct health risks, there are concerns about the lack of transparency in the processing and chemicals used in creating it. The FDA does not have a formal definition of the term “natural,” which means that the chemical compounds added to food may no longer be products of the earth. This lack of transparency is especially concerning when it comes to meat products, as natural beef flavor may not actually contain any beef at all. Instead, it may be created in a lab using a combination of science and technology.
Additionally, the FDA allows most flavorings to be designated as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS), which means that they are not regulated and can bypass any FDA safety reviews. Companies can determine on their own that a substance is “safe,” often based on their own funded research or expert panels that they assemble at their own discretion. This lack of regulation and transparency raises concerns about the potential health implications of consuming natural beef flavor and other natural flavors.
