Source
Flavor enhancers are mainly derived from natural extracts, chemical synthesis, and fermentation products. In recent years, the use of biotechnology for targeted fermentation to produce natural flavor enhancers has become a major trend.
Characteristics
Flavor enhancers do not directly provide a strong singular taste but work by synergizing or enhancing umami to effectively amplify the inherent flavors of food, improving overall taste balance. They can significantly reduce salt usage while refining the sensory experience.
Applications
Widely used in compound seasonings, soups, snacks, meat products, and convenience foods to enhance flavor complexity and palatability. They serve as a key technical support in reduced-sodium products. Application requires precise dosage control to avoid masking the natural taste of food or generating undesirable flavors
Flavor enhancers don't add a distinct new taste themselves. Instead, they work by amplifying the existing savory, salty, or meaty notes already present in food—often described as boosting "umami."
Absolutely. By boosting umami and overall taste perception, enhancers like MSG or yeast extract can help lower sodium content by 20–40% without sacrificing flavor. This makes them valuable tools in developing reduced-sodium products for health-conscious markets.