Yeast extract: a key ingredient in developing cheese analogues

Consumption habits are evolving – especially when it comes to animal-based foods. A growing number of consumers are replacing these items with plant-based alternatives and this shift represents a growing market where yeast extracts are a perfect solution for food formulators to build on taste.

Dairy substitutes are dominating the global market for animal product alternatives or substitutes. In 2018, this market was worth $17.3bn. It is forecast to reach $29.6bn by 20231. The cheese substitutes market is still at an early stage, representing in 2018 an average of 11% of the plant-based market ($445m). Nevertheless, it is growing fast with an estimated CAGR of 8% (2015 to 2021)2 , and the number of products launched each year gets bigger (134 vs 219)3. The two markets launching the largest portion of these products4 are North America and Europe.

WHY ARE CHEESE ANALOGUES SUCH A CRAZE?

As consumers adopt special diets without lactose, or vegan and flexitarian options, many of them are looking at healthier diets. Consumers perceive cheese analogues, often based on oilseeds or nuts, as nutritionally interesting and healthier than regular cheese. Oilseeds, for instance, are a source of unsaturated fatty acids. Additionally, cheese analogues can present other benefits such as being free from GMOs and/or allergens; lower in calories and/or salt and with a longer shelf life.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES LINKED TO DEVELOPING CHEESE ANALOGUES?

Cheese may be one of the most difficult products to replicate since it has a wide variety of flavours and textures. Depending on the type of cheese, its use, texture, smell, and melting ability will not be the same. This can be a real challenge to product formulators when developing cheese substitutes with these flavours and properties. Some raw materials such as soy can bring off-notes which must be neutralised.

Consumers expect the nutritional profile of the cheese analogue to be equivalent to dairy cheese, especially regarding calcium content. It also has to perform with regards to naturalness and clean label in the ingredient list.

Depending on the country, the naming of cheese analogues can be challenging since the word “cheese” is to be labelled on products of animal origin, meaning the names of the substitutes have to suggest cheese without actually saying so.

ANSWERING THESE CHALLENGES WITH YEAST EXTRACT

A key ingredient to help overcome these challenges in cheese analogues is yeast extract. With a wide spectrum of flavours, yeast extracts can be used in combination with one another to achieve the right taste.

Some will bring aged-cheese notes whereas others will bring specific flavours, improve smoothness or creaminess, increase the perception of savoury flavours and contribute to fat reduction. Yeast extract is known to provide umamiboosting and balances the flavours of the recipe, and is key to reducing salt.

Biospringer’s Springer Mask 101, a yeast-based fermentation ingredient, can help neutralise undesirable flavour notes from plant proteins.

Yeast extract, as a clean-label ingredient, helps in restricting the use of artificial raw materials to build taste. In terms of composition, yeast extract contains proteins and is animal-free.

Cheese substitutes can represent a real challenge to food manufacturers, who need to address consumers’ expectation regarding taste, pleasure and endproduct composition. With its multiple flavours, vegan status, and naturalness, yeast extracts are the perfect solution to answer these challenges – whatever the recipe or the type of application.

Biospringer is a specialist in yeast extraction. It is recognised worldwide as a historical key player and global producer. With its team of food technologists, flavourists and expert tasting panels, the company can ensure total safety and high quality in its range of products. Its culinary centre is dedicated to finding technical solutions for its customers to bring good taste to their recipes in line with the current natural, vegan, and cleanlabel food trends. Biospringer is supplied locally through DanLink. •

Dairy substitutes are dominating the global market for animal product alternatives.