What impact do natural flavorings have on the authenticity of taste in food products?

In a world where consumers increasingly seek transparency, naturally sourced ingredients, and an authentic taste experience, natural flavorings naturally hold a prominent place in the formulation of food products. But what does the term actually mean? And what impact can natural flavors have on the authenticity of the taste of food products? Metarom, a specialist in the creation of flavors, caramels and active solutions for the food industry, helps you understand natural flavorings.

What is a natural flavoring?

A natural flavoring is a substance obtained exclusively through physical, enzymatic, or microbiological processes, using raw materials of plant or animal origin.

Contrary to popular belief, natural flavorings are not intended to mask the taste of food, but to highlight its full richness. They enable sensory profiles to be adapted and enhanced to meet consumer expectations, which vary widely depending on markets, cultures, and consumption trends.

Natural flavorings: Cornerstones of taste authenticity

One of the greatest advantages of natural flavorings lies in their ability to preserve the authentic taste of a food product. Indeed, their origin and composition make it possible to faithfully recreate flavor profiles that feel both familiar and emotionally resonant—like madeleine cake, wild strawberry, or molten chocolate.

Natural flavorings also help maintain the sensory consistency of products that are reduced in fat or enriched with proteins, fibers, and other ingredients—by enhancing desirable flavors or masking unwanted notes. In the context of nutritional reformulation, they are therefore essential to ensure a high-quality tasting experience without compromising enjoyment.

Finally, they also respond to European regulatory requirements that encourage manufacturers to use predominantly natural flavorings in food products.

Acti'Sens ranges: Enhancing and modulating flavors to meet market demands

Refining the subtlety and complexity of flavors in modern food products—often subject to technical and/or nutritional constraints—requires precise and high-performance flavoring solutions. That’s where our Acti’Sens ranges come into play. They deliver targeted, active solutions to refine and elevate the taste experience—while preserving the precious authenticity of flavor.

The range is built on two key pillars that empower food producers to craft products with delicate natural flavors, perfectly aligned with modern taste and nutrition demands.

Acti'Boost: Enhances sweet and fatty taste perceptions without overloading the product.

Acti’Boost Fat is an active solution designed to recreate the perception of fat without adding lipids. It delivers the rich, satisfying mouthfeel of indulgent foods—without the heavy nutritional load.

Acti’Boost Sweet, for its part, enhances the perception of sweetness while reducing the need for added sugar. This active solution makes products lighter without compromising on taste enjoyment.

These smart flavoring solutions help craft indulgent products that align with today’s consumer focus on health and well-being.

Acti’Mask: Smooths away unwanted notes, bringing authentic flavors to the forefront.

Created to meet the growing demand for plant-based proteins and health-focused alternatives, Acti’Mask Pro uses premium natural flavorings to smooth away harsh notes like bitterness and an astringent or metallic aftertaste.

Tailored to a variety of protein sources—such as pea, rice, soy, and whey—each solution is custom-formulated to round out the flavor profile, deliver a pleasant mouthfeel, and improve product acceptance, especially in categories like sports nutrition, enriched desserts, and plant-based meals.

Tailored support for your flavor development projects

At Metarom, we understand that every product must cultivate a unique flavor signature. That is why we place customer support at the heart of everything we do:

Our goal? To offer manufacturers customized natural flavor solutions that preserve the authenticity of their product, enhance its taste, and win lasting consumer appeal.

In today’s food industry, natural flavors go beyond function—they embody authenticity and drive sensory innovation. Backed by solid expertise in natural flavors and the Acti’Sens ranges, Metarom helps food manufacturers craft standout products that delight consumers and stay ahead of market trends.

Do you have a development or reformulation project in mind? Our teams are here to support you with passion and precision.