Food Flavorings

Artificial flavors are synthetically produced compounds used to impart specific flavors to processed food. The creation of synthetic flavors is a vast and complicated process and could even be considered an art. Food manufacturers turn to chemists who are flavor specialists to formulate the perfect artificial flavor for their products. There are thousands of existing synthetic flavor compounds and most artificial flavors are a combination of several, sometimes including natural extracts. Our perception of a flavor actually comes mostly from our sense of smell. There are many chemical compounds, which give off smells almost identical to familiar fruits, nuts, and other foods. These aroma molecules are chemically synthesized and used as components of artificial flavors. Also used are flavor molecules that enhance savory flavors, which are already present. These are generally comprised of amino acids.

Another common thing we do in our daily lives is cooking, and when we talk about cooking we talk about the ingredients and cooking materials and so on. As far as ingredients are concerned, we have a really huge variety to choose from, but we’ll be focusing on some organic compounds that we can’t do without – food flavorings. People all over the world use food flavorings when they cook because it gives food a much better taste, matter of fact it is almost necessary for people to use it while cooking because it brings out the taste of food.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flavorings are used in a wide range of food products. Most flavourings are an imitation of the flavour of a known foodstuff. Some flavors are isolated from natural raw ingredients but this is costly and also wastes valuable natural resources. Flavorings used as additives are often developed by a Creative Flavorist . Their job is t o identify the substances present in the food that are the most important in producing its flavor and then to create a flavor profile which mimics the particular food in the most effective way. Food flavorings are also used in drugs and medicines sometimes, such as a cough syrup for children, to make it less bitter and easier to consume.

Origin

Artificial flavors are chemically produced and may contain processed natural extracts, animal products, such as glycerine, and alcohol may also be present. Artificial flavors are made by fractional distillation and various chemical processes of naturally found chemicals, tar and crude oil. Artificial flavors are usually made up of chemicals called esters, which are organic compounds formed by reacting carboxylic acids with alcohols. For exmaple, an ester called isoamyl acetate has the flavor and scent of a banana and that can be used in cakes and other kinds of desserts. Other examples would be benzyl butyrate which has a cherry taste and ethyl phenylacetate which tastes like honey.

Other uses and industries

These esters are not only used in consumable products. Due to their fragrant scent and taste, they are also used in commercial products such as cosmetics, shampoos, creams and various lip and health care products.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Effects

Due to the presence of many different chemicals that go into the making of these flavors and additives, there are bound to be some health side effects. Artificial flavors have no nutritional value. Over consumption can cause obesity, high blood sugar and cholesterol.