Whether you have a sweet tooth or not, Indian Sweets are irresistible. You cannot fight with the delightful aroma and out-of-the-world taste of Indian sweets. A majority of Indians have a penchant for desserts. It's a common sight to witness bustling crowds at sweet shops throughout the country. The country and its different regions have tons of sweet offerings, it's no surprise that sweets hold a significant place in the lives of Indians.
Some of the sweets are made at home while some are prepared by professionals. Whether these sweets come in packets or are loosely available at the next sweet shop, one thing is common between both of them: they add some food flavoring agent to their products.
"Meetha" or "Mithai" are the widely embraced terms for Indian confectionery delights. Needless to say, no Mithai is complete without the required food flavoring agent. They are savored during all festive occasions and hold a significant place in every significant meal.
What are flavoring agents?
Flavoring agents refer to substances incorporated into food or beverages to augment or alter their taste, aroma, or texture. These agents exist in both natural and artificial forms. They are available in liquids, powders, or extracts. Natural flavoring agents include herbs, spices, fruits, and vegetables, while artificial counterparts are typically crafted using chemicals or synthetic compounds. Both of these agents are safe to use within a certain limit. Most popular sweet brands use them across various food and beverage items.
These delectable and rich flavors enhance the appeal of these food items. They also contribute to the comforting feeling experienced after consumption. If you do not know, famous beloved Indian sweets like rasgulla, ras malai, Kaju Katli, gulab jamun, Mysore Pak, and various barfis use a minute quantity of the flavoring agent.
However, the choice of flavoring agents varies based on the type of sweet. Let's explore the enchanting flavoring agents that impart delightful tastes to our taste buds. These are widely used food flavors in the Indian sweet industry.
Extracts
Vanilla and almond flavors are the two most common natural flavoring agents used to prepare sweets. They are concentrated solutions that contain a solvent as a base. Although people use these natural extracts, you can also find artificial extracts made synthetically to imitate the pure ones. Popular extracts include green apple, blackberry, strawberry, blueberry, and many more
Oils
Indian sweet recipes often incorporate specialty oils, including essential oils such as citrus oils, and Cardamom oils. It's crucial to note that these oils come with their extraordinary fragrances. Extracted from the zest of lemons or oranges, or the outer surfaces of apricots, flowers, or plant leaves, these oils are distinct in that they lack water or alcohol as a base. They are particularly useful for imparting intense flavors to chocolates in different types of fusion sweets.
Cinnamon essential oil
The essence of cinnamon essential oil is marked by a robust and spicy cinnamon flavor, making it an excellent choice for enhancing the taste of Mawa Barfis and kesar malai that crave a pronounced cinnamon essence. The distinct and warm flavor of cinnamon oil can be attributed mainly to its chemical constituent known as cinnamaldehyde. This compound is predominant in cinnamon oil and primarily responsible for giving intense, spicy, and sweet cinnamon flavor.
Eugenol
Eugenol is present in both cinnamon leaf and clove buds. It is occasionally referred to as clove oil due to its aromatic nature. It offers a subtly sweet and spicy taste which makes it an ideal complement for savory products. Eugenol is extensively employed as a flavoring agent in the production of mint-based Mithais.
For those seeking to infuse an exciting taste into their sweets, consider reaching out to SBBLG! They are one of the renowned suppliers in India and cater their flavors to various industries.
