The world of citrus fruits has left a monumental mark on foods and cuisine worldwide. Citrus flavours recall refreshing scents, vibrant colours, and thoughts of summer—there’s no question why they’re a food manufacturer’s delight. We’ll pick apart current flavour trends and what manufacturers can expect in the future as demand piles up. Plus, a little seafaring history beckons.
What is Citrus Flavour?
Well, citrus flavours are associated with fruits of the plants of the wide-ranging genus citrus. Usually derived from oranges, lemons, limes, and mandarins (and sometimes from more obscure hybrids such as clementine and yuzu), these flavours are used in more food products than we can perhaps name. They’re integral to several desserts, juices, sweets, and snacks, giving products a balanced or a tart flavour profile. The flavours span several unique tastes (some are sweet, some bitter, and others sour) and aromas high on consumers’ preference lists due to their perceived health benefits and how refreshing they feel.
Is Citrus Good for Health?
The short answer: Yes. A resounding yes.
Citrus fruits’ most significant moment in this regard was in the fight against scurvy. In the 18th century, oranges and lemons were seamen’s biggest weapon against bleeding gums, sore joints, bruised skin, and an agonising death. After some trial and error, some failures, and a bit of good fortune, people would draw a correlation between lemons and their ability to ward off the deadly disease. It would take until the 20th century for the world to know that scurvy was due to a vitamin C deficiency, cementing citrus fruits’ legacy as a lifesaver.
We’ve since come to learn the minerals, compounds, and fibre content present in them could be extremely helpful with cardiovascular health, anaemia, immunity, and even memory. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, which is excellent news on many fronts—we’re talking about fighting inflammation all the way to possibly protecting against dementia. This just reinforces the advantage of using natural citrus flavours to produce food and beverages with that extra healthy edge!
Key Trends in Citrus Flavours for 2024
The legacy of citrus fruits has meant the flavours have been well received. They’re constantly among the top flavours in segments like beverages. Recent trends around citrus flavours have made the segment especially exciting. We’ve rounded up the most interesting ones here.
1. Exotic and Hybrid Citrus Flavours
Consumers are looking for variety. In a crowded citrus market, unique flavour profiles stand out for their variations despite the same overall freshness. Traditional citrus flavours are facing competition from flavours like the complex richness of blood oranges and the conflicting sweet-sour taste of pomelos. Consumers are happy to try these flavours in their teas, desserts, and savouries, and there’s no reason why manufacturers should turn their backs on this trend anytime soon. It could be the year of the citrus blast flavour for all we know.
2. Sustainability and Sourcing
As the environment and sustainability goals become a more prominent part of business operations, there is a concerted effort to, among other actions, trace source ingredients to organic farms that support local communities. Helping accomplish this are technological practices and methods like new-age farming techniques that preserve soil health, manage resources intelligently, and conserve energy. Beyond these, citrus flavour producers are ensuring they work with vendors who are mindful of their carbon footprint and focus on creative strategies and a socially responsible work ethic.
3. Innovations in Citrus Flavour Formats
Traditional citrus flavours like liquid extracts and powders, are now being enhanced by exciting new formats. This innovation is bringing a fresh twist to how we experience these zesty tastes.
Source: Kerry
Symega’s Role in the Citrus Flavour Industry
As these trends continue, food manufacturers have a plethora of citrus flavours to explore. They can find ways of incorporating these flavours into their products or identify a market gap and produce something people will purchase. While doing so, using natural citrus flavours and natural food colouring will be crucial to keeping up with trends and offering safe products that consumers can trust. Symega can help achieve this and work as a solutions provider to various challenges. As a trusted flavour manufacturer with decades of expertise, we know how flavours function and what makes them successful.
Our bespoke natural flavour solutions are backed by robust research and developed with sustainably sourced ingredients. Advanced technologies deliver the cleanest form of extracts and distillates, giving manufacturers high-quality, all-natural citrus flavours they can experiment with to their heart’s content!
Consumer Preferences and the Future of Citrus Flavours
Now, we’re not gushing over citrus flavours for nothing. There’s always a citrus taste lurking somewhere—whether in an energy drink or a candy on the supermarket shelf. Such is their appeal. And from a consumer perspective, their popularity is improving—the post-pandemic desire for healthy foods and nutritious products is elevating the flavours further. More people are possibly willing to ditch their sugary soda cans for natural fruit juices and flavoured sparkling water—and citrus flavours are the obvious clean-label choice. With the related demand for natural flavours rising, all estimates point to a growing citrus flavour market. Citrus flavours will also benefit from being a staple in packaged foods as more people seek quick, easy-to-access food amidst their busy lives.
The future is more than rosy: people will continue embracing the traditional oranges and lemons. But more exotic flavours will penetrate the market and keep it fresh, giving consumers even more zesty options on a hot summer day.
Practical Applications of Citrus Flavours
These options are not limited to the food and beverage industry. In probably their most necessary role, they can be found in diverse medications such as lozenges, syrups, and tablets. The aromas are not too far behind. Personal care products are loaded with citrus-scented products: Innumerable soaps, beauty masks, face washes, and more promise users a citrusy recharge. Essential oils used for aromatherapy are derived from aromatic compounds in citrus fruits.
The freshness that citrus evokes is incomparable. It’s virtually impossible to deny its charm!
FAQs
Familiar citrus flavours like orange and lime are popular all year round due to their zesty and fresh tones. But with the market saturated with them, consumers are searching for offbeat options to experience other adjacent aromas and tastes that offer the same crisp freshness. With the demand for these natural flavours growing, there’s been an interest in pomelo, clementine, and yuzu, among others. These exotic flavours can be incorporated into beverages (teas, mocktails, etc.), desserts, and savoury preparations and go well with various herbal/floral combinations.
Trusted food ingredient suppliers and flavour manufacturers obtain their flavours using natural ingredients from local organic farms, underlining their commitment to the environment and communities. Sustainable sourcing also involves technological practices and methods prioritising soil health, resource management, and energy conservation. Flavour producers partner with vendors—across the supply chain—who have a minimal carbon footprint, including those led by creative strategies and a socially responsible work ethic.
In addition to tasting good, citrus fruits are renowned for their health benefits—notably, they were vital to fighting scurvy in the 18th century. They are full of vitamin C and minerals, as well as other bioactive compounds vital to keeping chronic diseases at bay. Research has indicated they could help with cardiovascular health, anaemia, immunity, and beyond. Unsurprisingly, citrus fruits have become synonymous with good health, and their flavour and aroma invoke associations with freshness and vigour.
Citrus flavours and derivatives can be found everywhere—from cosmetics like beauty masks and face scrubs to essential oils used for aromatherapy. The flavours, especially orange, can be found in various medications such as lozenges, syrups, and tablets.
Citrus flavours go well with several food products, balancing out the sweetness and salt in savoury dishes and desserts. They offer a bright, zesty tone that manufacturers can take advantage of to create tangy snacks, delicious confectionery, seasonings, and various beverages. Natural citrus flavours can be used in all these applications as a safe and practical way to achieve near-perfect results without compromising on taste.
