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Dairy Alterantives

Dairy Alternatives: Citri-Fi Citrus Fiber Provides Stability and Natural Creamy Mouthfeel
January 4, 2022
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Dairy Alterantives

Smile and Say Cheese Alternatives!

Cheese alternatives are the next frontier in the dairy-free world. Today, there are several types of products which present their own set of challenges such as instability and texture. Citri-Fi® citrus fiber’s water holding and emulsification properties bind the oil and water to create high quality cheese analogs that simulate their animal-based counterparts.

Through the years, cheese producers convinced the market that cheese is the magic ingredient that makes food taste great! Commercials encouraged parents to melt it on vegetables to make it more palatable for their children. Pizza is not pizza unless there is a long stretch of mozzarella hanging off the slice. And when snacking hit its peak, cheese stood on a pedestal due to its protein content and dairy health benefits. Because of this, dairy-based cheese literally milked the market. The popularity created an opportunity for new offerings such as cheese alternatives.

At the same time, the dairy alternative demand began to tick up. Growing concerns about sustainability, animal welfare and health consequences of animal-based fats spurred a sudden interest in creating cheese without animal milk. As a result, today, there are a variety of cheese analogs using different types of food ingredients and processing technologies. And there is no better time to discuss this topic rather than now in January aka Veganuary.

Starch and Fat-based Cheese Alternatives

Many companies try to mimic common cheese types including sliced cheeses for sandwiches and vegan burgers, soft cheese like camembert, or even products that match fresh or cream cheese. To do this, producers have different options. For instance, a lower cost route incorporates a fat source and modified starches. Spreadable types use liquid fats. On the other hand, hard cheeses require solid fats like palm or coconut in combination with starches. However, palm and coconut are questionable when it comes to sustainability. As a result, some shy away and resort to using sunflower or canola oil.

One challenge using these types of fats and modified starches is creating a stable emulsion without chemical emulsifiers. Because clean labeling is another important requirement, manufacturers look for alternative ingredients. Another underlying issue is that these type of cheeses have no nutritional value. Their bases are made up of starch and contain minimal protein versus animal-based cheeses.

Citri-Fi citrus fiber can help bind the oil and water in these type of formulations. The high surface area and native intact pectin content enables emulsification properties. As a result, cheese texture and stability are not compromised. Also, Citri-Fi contributes some dietary fiber, so this helps improve the nutritional content.

Fermented Nut Cheeses

Another type of cheese that is popular is fermented nut cheeses. These cheeses typically use almond or cashew as a base. The nutritional profile is better due to the nut protein content. And the flavor profile simulates the natural flavor of cheese which can come close to aged cheese. However, this process comes with more costs and tends to be pricier. And when nuts are ground, they tend to not bind all the fat inside which causes separation.

Because Citri-Fi is a great natural emulsifier, it can bind oil and water to help reduce the costs and improve the yields of these products. Water migration is common in products that do not have a good emulsifying system. As a result, Citri-Fi helps prevent weeping during refrigeration. In the end, Citri-Fi, at low usage levels (0.1% to 0.6%), provides emulsification, stability and nutritional benefits to a variety of cheese alternatives. This can range from cream cheese substitutes, parmesan alternatives to other vegan cheese analogs.

This cheese alternative market is the new frontier in the dairy-free world. In the future, cheese will use different protein sources like chickpeas and fava beans. Producers will push the envelope using fermentation, new processes and new ingredients to create high quality cheeses matching their animal-based counterparts.

Citri-Fi is non-GMO Project certified, non-allergenic and gluten-free. This natural ingredient has no E-number. Labeling options include citrus fiber, dried citrus pulp or citrus flour which resonate well in the natural and clean label markets.

Please contact us for more information.

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January 5, 2021
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Dairy Alterantives, Meat Substitutes

Fiberstar, Inc. Joins the Plant-based Foods Association (PBFA)

Fiberstar’s superior line of highly functional citrus fibers which are used to improve the quality of plant-based products drives Fiberstar, Inc. to join the Plant-based Foods Association.

Fiberstar, Inc. joined the Plant-based Foods Association. This organization supports plant-based companies so that they succeed and thrive in the food industry. Since Fiberstar offers a portfolio of nature-based citrus fibers, this organization fits the company's vision. “We look forward to playing a bigger role in the plant-based foods industry.” says President and CEO, John Haen. “The Company’s superior line of highly functional citrus fibers are key to creating quality plant-based products.”

Citrus Fiber in Meat Substitutes & Dairy Alternatives

Fiberstar manufactures Citri-Fi® citrus fiber which is produced from byproduct of the citrus juicing process. Because the patented process is free from chemical modifications, Citri-Fi stays holistic in form. For instance, this ingredient contains both soluble and insoluble fiber. This composition also has high levels of intact pectin which is vital in providing multiple functionalities including water holding and emulsification.

Due to Citri-Fi’s plant-based origin and high functionality, this natural ingredient benefits various plant-based foods. For instance, in meat substitutions, the 100 series, (0.5% -1.0%), creates natural emulsions to improve the juiciness and succulence. In addition, the TX10 citrus fiber line, (0.5% - 2.0%), creates meatier appearance and texture. When using both citrus fiber products together, developers produce high quality meat alternatives that closely resemble their animal counter parts.

Another area of emphasis includes dairy alternative foods such as plant milks, ice creams, yogurts and cheeses. Citri-Fi citrus fiber, at low usage levels (0.2% - 1.0%), creates stable and full body plant milks. Because of its composition, this natural ingredient’s functionality increases in high shear conditions which helps replace other stabilizers. As a result, plant milks have shorter and cleaner label declarations. This natural citrus fiber also improves stability and texture of vegan ice cream and yogurts. Again, Citri-Fi has the potential to replace other stabilizers to clean up labels. Lastly in plant-based cheeses, this natural ingredients provides high emulsification and smooth texture which improves the stability over time.

High Performing Clean Label Food Ingredient

Citri-Fi's labeling options include citrus fiber, dried citrus pulp or citrus flour which resonate well in the natural and clean label markets. This citrus fiber is also non-allergenic, Non-GMO project certified and has no E-number which benefit plant-based foods.

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October 27, 2020
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Dairy Alterantives

Plant-based Yogurts: Top Facts to Know

Today, plant-based yogurts are the next hot dairy alternative trend. However, at the same time, these products encounter many formulation issues. Citri-Fi® citrus fiber's high water holding and emulsification properties help create high quality dairy-free yogurts including minimizing syneresis, thickening texture and improving food labels.

Plant-based Yogurts Bases – Old and New

Years ago, the only non-dairy yogurts found on the grocery shelves ranged from soy to rice based. However, today, this expanded into a variety of options. Other dairy-free bases moving up in rank include: almond, coconut, hemp, cashew and oat. Moreover, plant-based yogurts now reside next to their animal-based counterparts in the grocery store. As a result, this gives consumers an opportunity to try something new or use these products as a gateway to a plant-based lifestyle. In the end, plant milks will provide the segway into dairy-free yogurts. As a result, new plant milk bases such as lupin, flaxseed or sesame seed will cross over into this category.

Typical Issues in Creating Non-Dairy Yogurts

If you make your own yogurt at home, you know that dairy yogurts are relatively easy to make due to the dairy-based proteins innately present in milk. However, making dairy-free yogurts turns into a whole new adventure. The easy part involves fermenting the base but the resulting product typically produces thin and watery textures.

Some issues that arise in creating vegan type yogurts include: poor texture, syneresis or lack of a full-fat mouthfeel. As a result, product developers seek out highly functional natural ingredients to counter quality issues. At the same time, developers resort to using additives to compensate for not having dairy proteins in the food matrix. Due to this, their food label declarations evolve into less consumer friendly versions.

Common Stabilizers used in Dairy-free Yogurts

To create a thicker texture and minimize syneresis, developers typically reach for stabilizers. For instance, in vegan style yogurts, modified starches, pectin, locust bean gum, agar and other gums are added to plant-based yogurts to improve texture and stability. However, each stabilizing system presents its own limitations.

For example, modified starches are excellent in minimizing syneresis but at the same time they create pasty textures. On other hand, developers tend to add stabilizers like food gums. This adds viscosity and smooths out the pastiness but at the same time cause the texture to become snotty and unnatural. As a result, multiple stabilizing ingredients are used which makes the ingredient declaration long and cumbersome. In the end, syneresis remains to be a challenging issue in these type of applications.

Citri-Fi Citrus Fiber Benefits in Plant-based Yogurts

Citri-Fi is produced from byproduct or upcycled material of the citrus juicing process which aligns with dairy alternatives' sustainable and environmental goals. This citrus fiber is created using a patented process which opens up the fiber to provide high water holding and emulsification properties. Because of the intact native pectin, Citri-Fi provides multiple benefits in non-dairy yogurts. These superior features sets this citrus fiber apart from others in the market.

For instance, this natural ingredient between 0.01% and 0.60% contributes to smoother and thicker textures which simulates a full-fat mouthfeel. And, due to the water and oil holding power, this natural citrus fiber minimizes syneresis to create more stable products. Citri-Fi is recommended to be used with starches and/or gums to create high quality plant-based yogurts. And because Citri-Fi’s labeling options include citrus fiber, dried citrus pulp or citrus flour, this natural ingredient resonates well in the natural and clean label markets. Lastly, Citri-Fi is non-allergenic, non-GMO project certified and has no E-number.

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March 23, 2020
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Dairy Alterantives

Top 7 FAQ about Citrus Fiber in Plant-based Milks

Citri-Fi® citrus fiber improves mouthfeel and stability in different types of plant-based milks. At low usage levels, 0.2% to 0.4%, this clean label citrus fiber creates high quality plant milk. To learn more, Fiberstar compiled a list of FAQ about citrus fiber in plant-based milks.

Vegan milks may differ in the plant bases, yet, they all possess similar textural goals. As a matter of fact, they all strive to provide consumers a wonderful mouthfeel and stability over time. One ingredient that offers these desired benefits is Citri-Fi citrus fiber. Because of this, Fiberstar works closely with plant-based milk manufacturers from bench top to commercialization to understand the science behind the benefits. And for that reason, the team compiled the following frequently asked questions (FAQ) about citrus fiber in plant-based milks.

Top 7 Questions about Citrus Fiber in Plant-based Milks

1. What Benefits Does Citrus Fiber Provide Plant Milks?

Citrus fiber, such as Citri-Fi, improves the creamy and full body mouthfeel and stability of the beverage over time. Due to Citri-Fi's high water holding and emulsification properties, this natural ingredient binds water and oil to improve the stability especially during harsh processing conditions. And, because this citrus fiber opens up in shear conditions, its high surface area also increases the viscosity of the drink. To learn more, please check out the Fiberstar Video Library.

2.  Which Type of Citri-Fi is Recommended and at What Dosage or Usage Level? 

Citri-Fi 100FG or Citri-Fi 100M40 dosage level ranges between 0.2% to 0.4%. However, increasing the usage level does not create better stability. Because this citrus fiber provides high functionality, lower levels deliver all the textural and stability benefits.

3.  How is Citri-Fi Labeled?

Citri-Fi labeling options include citrus fiber, dried citrus pulp or citrus flour. In parts of Europe, other labeling options include citrus fibre or plant fibre from citrus fruits. These labeling options resonate well in the clean label and natural markets.

4. Is Citri-Fi Heat Stable? 

Yes, Citri-Fi citrus fiber is heat stable. For instance, Citri-Fi remains stable even through ultra high temperature (UHT) processing.

5. Can Citri-Fi Replace Gums in Non-dairy Beverages? 

Yes, in most cases, Citri-Fi citrus fiber replaces gums in different types of plant-based milks. For example, to replace gellan gum,  add 0.3% of Citri-Fi 100FG before the homogenization step. Other additives citrus fiber replaces include locust bean gum, guar gum and/or modified starch.

6. How Does Citri-Fi Compared to Gellan Gum, MCC or other Hydrocolloids and Emulsifiers Currently Used in a Different Types of Plant-based Milks? 

When using Citri-Fi citrus fiber instead of the latter, the citrus fiber creates a more natural mouthfeel and less sticky texture.

7. To Create Stable Plant Drinks, can Citri-Fi be Used Alone or Does this Citrus Fiber Need to be Used with Other Stabilizing Food Ingredients? 

Citri-Fi citrus fiber creates high quality plant-based milks when used alone. Some exceptions include when other ingredients are used such as fine cocoa particles which tend to settle over time. Depending on the formulation, Citri-Fi provides some suspension to create that stability.

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