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Meat Substitutes

Plant-based Meats, Meat Alternatives & Plant-based Foods: Citri-Fi Replaces Methylcellulose, Improves Juiciness, Firm Texture and Meat-like Texture
August 19, 2020
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Meat Substitutes

Meat Substitute Foods: Creating Clean Labels using Citrus Fiber

Creating clean label meat substitutes is possible by using natural ingredients like citrus fiber which holds a lot of water to enhance juiciness, serves as a natural emulsifier and creates the meat-like appearance and texture that consumers expect when eating plant-based meats.

Meat substitute food products popped up in the market like the color neon in the 1980’s. However, unlike neon which faded as fast as it illuminated the fashion world, plant-based food products are now the new normal. Environmental and health concerns steered meat alternatives into the food industry limelight. Because of this, plant-based is a long-term life style choice among consumers. And, this new lifestyle translates into cleaner food labels.

To create meat substitutes that simulate their animal counterparts, food manufacturers use a variety of ingredients. For instance, some of these ingredients include fibers, starches, gums and other stabilizers in addition to plant-based proteins. On the other hand, some ingredients like methyl cellulose quickly emerged as the go-to ingredient in formulators' tool boxes. One of the main benefits is its multi-functionality despite its labeling concerns.

However, today, new natural functional ingredients are available. For example, Fiberstar offers several solutions which create high quality meat substitute foods with cleaner labels.

Citri-Fi® TX Citrus Fiber Builds Texture in Meat Substitutes

The company launched the new Citri-Fi TX10 citrus fiber. This natural ingredient’s large particle size simulates texturized vegetable protein (TVP) when building appearance and texture. For instance using between 1% to 3% allows formulators to create meatier texture while benefiting from the cold binding properties that may be lacking in formulations. And in some instances, developers do not need to use gluten which is a typical binding agent.

Citri-Fi TX10 labeling options include citrus fiber, dried citrus pulp or citrus flour which resonate well in the clean label markets.

Cleaning Labels using Citri-Fi Citrus Fiber Solutions

Another break-thru includes the use of citrus fiber in addition to other natural ingredients to displace methyl cellulose in vegan meats. The Citri-Fi 100 citrus fiber series not only holds large amounts of water but also serves as a natural emulsifier. Due to its insoluble and soluble fiber matrix which contains high levels of intact pectin, this natural ingredient creates emulsions that contribute to meat alternatives succulence. As a result, the meat-free products create the juicy sizzle during the cooking process.

This 100 series in conjunction with Citri-Fi TX10 works together to create the emulsion and meat-like texture that consumers expect in meat substitutes. In addition, these two products work synergistically with three natural solutions to help replace methyl cellulose. As a consequence, these solutions create consumer friendly food labels. The three solutions include ingredients such as starches, enzymes, alginates or gellan gum.

To learn more about these potential clean solutions, please contact Fiberstar technical support team at techsupport@fiberstar.net. The team will cut the development time by recommending the ideal system and demonstrate how to create high quality healthy vegan meat products via technical service, tutorials and videos.

Additional Information

NEW Texturizing Citrus Fiber: Citri-Fi® for Meat Alternatives

Meat Alternatives and Citrus Fiber FAQ

https://www.fiberstar.net/aiovg_videos/citrus-fiber-replace-methyl-cellulose-meats-video/

Meat Alternative Ingredients: Top 5 FAQ About Citri-Fi® TX

 

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Plant-based Meats: Citri-Fi Replaces Methylcellulose, Improves Juiciness, Firm Texture and Meat-like Texture
April 30, 2020
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Meat Substitutes

Meat Alternative Ingredients: Top 5 FAQ About Citri-Fi® TX

The brand new Citri-Fi® TX citrus fiber provides cold binding and meat-like texture to meat alternatives like meat-free patties. This is a the first new texturizing citrus fiber to hit the market. Learn more about this exciting new meat alternative ingredient by reading the frequently asked questions (FAQ).

Fiberstar, Inc. recently launched Citri-Fi TX citrus fiber used to improve meat alternatives. This new meat alternative ingredient improves texture and cold binding in meat-free food products like patties. During this launch, a flood of questions poured in about this new technology. Many manufacturers are searching for new meat alternative ingredients such as vegetable proteins, methyl cellulose replacers, binders and texturants. At the same time, this new Citri-Fi TX citrus fiber provides a few of these desired benefits. Check out the top frequently asked questions (FAQ) about Citri-Fi TX citrus fiber.

1.  What is the NEW Citri-Fi TX Citrus Fiber?

This new texturizing citrus fiber provides a few key benefits including meat-like texture, cold binding and clean label. For instance, the larger particle size lends itself to bind more water than gluten and other binders. As a result, it serves as a way to prevent the meat-free patty from turning soft and mushy during cooking. Also, it absorbs water through processing, storage and cooking. And the larger particle size adds a more meat-like texture with particulates similar to that of ground beef.

Citri-Fi TX is non-allergen, therefore it is a natural choice when replacing gluten in meat alternative formulations. Also, this natural citrus fiber is Non-GMO Project certified.

2.  What Functional Benefits Does Citri-Fi TX Citrus Fiber Provide?

As mentioned previously, Citri-Fi TX provides a few key benefits that other meat alternative ingredients lack. For instance, this citrus fiber creates cold binding benefits. This is essential in creating meatless patties that maintain shape and form without falling apart. In addition to cold binding, Citri-Fi TX also contributes to the meat-like texture to simulate an animal meat eating experience. Many vegetarian meats suffer from mushy and soft texture. However, this citrus fiber's large particle size and water binding capacity supplements the base texture to give it a meatier bite. Citri-Fi TX binds more water than other binders like gluten. As a result, this citrus fiber can replace gluten especially in formulations that are requiring allergen-free ingredients.

3.  How is Citri-Fi TX Citrus Fiber Different Than Other Citri-Fi Products?

The key differences between Citri-Fi TX from the other Citri-Fi products are particle size, water holding and protein binding power. Citri-Fi TX is a larger particle size citrus fiber which helps create that meatier texture similar to that of ground beef. Citri-Fi TX binds significantly more water than gluten or other binders. As a result, it serves a way to prevent the meat-free patties from getting soft and mushy during the cooking process. Since this citrus fiber has binding power, it absorbs water throughout processing, storage and cooking. Thus, less gelling, binding and water absorbing ingredients are needed. Usage level ranges between 0.4% to 4%.

The other Citri-Fi products provide water holding too. However, their composition and particle size lends them to creating excellent emulsions. These citrus fibers bind water and oil to keep meat-free patties stable over time. Also, these products create juicy and succulent texture that consumers expect. Usage level ranges between 0.5% to 2%.

4.  What Stability Benefits Does Citri-Fi TX Citrus Fiber Provide in Meat Alternatives? 

Citri-Fi TX is heat, pH and freeze/thaw stable. Salt content does not affect Citri-Fi's functionality in meat alternatives. And as long as there is moisture in the patty, the binding will not break down over time.

5.  What is Citri-Fi TX Citrus Fiber's Labeling? 

Citri-Fi TX's labeling options include Citrus Fiber, Dried Citrus Pulp or Citrus Flour. As a result, these resonate well in the clean label and natural markets.

Additional Information about Citri-Fi Citrus Fiber and Meat Alternatives

NEW Texturizing Citrus Fiber: Citri-Fi® for Meat Alternatives

Meat Alternatives and Citrus Fiber FAQ

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April 14, 2020
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Meat Substitutes

NEW Texturizing Citrus Fiber: Citri-Fi® for Meat Alternatives

Fiberstar launches a new texturizing citrus fiber, Citri-Fi® TX, which creates meat-like texture and provides cold binding in meat alternatives. And this new citrus fiber gives formulators the ability to remove gluten and other gelling and/or water absorbing ingredients to improve food labeling.

Fiberstar, Inc launches Citri-Fi® TX Texturizing Citrus Fiber which improves texture, quality and the eating experience of meat alternatives. Today, meat analog manufacturers continue the search for clean label ingredients to improve the eating qualities of their food products. However, some of the challenges they encounter include soggy or mushy texture, lack of juiciness and sub-par quality. Fiberstar works closely with customers to understand the formulating pitfalls. As a result, the team launched a new texturizing citrus fiber to the meat-free category.

Citri-Fi TX Texturizing Citrus Fiber Benefits

This new texturizing citrus fiber provides a few key benefits including meat-like texture, cold binding and clean label. For instance, the larger particle size lends itself to bind more water than gluten and other binders. As a result, it serves as a way to prevent the meat analog from turning soft and mushy during cooking. Also, it absorbs water through processing, storage and cooking. And the larger particle size adds a more meat-like texture with particulates similar to that of ground beef.

If manufacturers avoid allergens, Citri-Fi TX allows developers to replace gluten. This natural citrus fiber binds proteins together both during cold forming and cooking. In other words, Citri-Fi provides excellent cold binding. This attribute prevents patties from falling apart during the forming and cooking process. Because of this, meat alternatives require less gelling, binding and water absorbing ingredients. Please contact us about the technical bulletin available on gluten replacement in meat alternatives.

Citri-Fi TX's recommended usage levels range from 1% to 4%. The more citrus fiber used, less gelling and absorbing ingredients are needed in the formulation. And Citri-Fi TX's labeling options include citrus fiber, dried citrus pulp or citrus flour which resonate well in the natural food markets.

Other Meat Alternatives Citrus Fiber Solutions 

The workhorse Citri-Fi 100 series also improves meat alternatives. The 100 series provides natural emulsification properties which binds oil/fat and water. Due to this, formulators adjust the ratios of water and oil so that the amount bound or released during cooking targets the desired effect. Hence, the final product produces the juicy sizzle that consumers expect.

Citri-Fi 100 and Citri-Fi TX can be used in meat-free patty formulations to create meat analogs similar to their animal counterparts. Starting formulations, technical bulletins and technical support are available to help you launch in the market quickly. Please contact us to learn more!

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February 12, 2020
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Meat Substitutes

Meat Alternatives and Citrus Fiber FAQ

Manufacturers ask a variety of questions when formulating meat alternatives. As a result, Fiberstar captured and shared a few of the frequently asked questions about labeling, benefits in oil systems (emulsification), meat-like texture, natural status and other benefits that citrus fiber provides.

Meat alternatives or meat analogs are the hottest food trend hitting the market today. As a result, food producers small and large are climbing the steep learning curve and scrambling to launch new products quickly. Many frequently asked questions pop up when Fiberstar works closely with various meat alternative producers. Some of these manufacturers solely focus on plant-based foods. On the other hand, there are some animal meat manufacturers also chasing the opportunity to expand their share with plant-based offerings. Below capture a few of the frequently asked questions.

 

1.  What is Citri-Fi® Citrus Fiber's Labeling When Used in Meat Alternatives? And is this Clean Label?

Citri-Fi is a clean label option for plant-based meat products. This natural ingredient can be labeled as citrus fiber, dried citrus pulp or citrus flour. All of these options resonate well in the natural and clean label markets. However, clean label carries different meanings. For instance, clean label may imply non-allergenic, containing healthy components and/or non-GMO. The good news is that Citri-Fi fits the many definitions. Since Citri-Fi qualifies under the FDA fiber guidelines, this citrus fiber carries a healthy halo when listed. As a result, consumers relate to fiber ingredients especially when they understand the botanical source - citrus. Also, Citri-Fi is non-allergenic which appeals to the gluten-free market. And this natural fiber is Non-GMO Project certified.

2.  Does Citri-Fi Provide Emulsification in Meat Alternatives? And How Does it Work with Oil Systems?

Citri-Fi natural citrus fiber uses a patented process that opens up the fiber to provide high water and oil binding. This is a key benefit when used in a meat alternatives. For instance, plant-based meats incorporate high amounts of oil to simulate their animal-meat counterpart's grisly texture. And since developers add water to many formulations, there is the need for binding. Alternatively, without an emulsifier, the oil may separate and purge out creating dry hockey pucks.

The natural citrus fiber, Citri-Fi, works ideal in oil systems. This natural fiber can be mixed with oils before incorporated into the meat product. As a result, the oil stays bounded in the fiber through-out the meat alternative matrix. And another way to incorporate is to mix it with dry ingredients first.

3. Does Citri-Fi Create Meat-like Texture?

In this instance, texture has many meanings which include firm, juicy and succulent. Because Citri-Fi citrus fiber binds high amounts of oil and water, this creates the juicy and succulent texture that customers desire. Seeing that customers also require the meat-like texture to be firm, Fiberstar is piloting a new texturized citrus fiber - Citri-Fi TX. This new product simulates texturized vegetable protein (TVP) such as pea, soy and wheat, etc. However, this new citrus fiber maintains the meat alternative's firm texture during heating and cooking unlike some of the other vegetable proteins. Texturized citrus fiber partially replaces the TVP at low levels while creating the meat-like texture.

4. Is Citri-Fi Natural?

Yes, Citri-Fi citrus fiber is natural. Fiberstar produces Citri-Fi from byproduct of the citrus juicing industry. This upcycled fiber is created using a patented process that does not use any chemical modifications unlike other citrus fiber producers. Also, Citri-Fi has no no E-number and is considered a food ingredient and not a food additive. Lastly, this natural fiber is plant-based, non-allergenic and Non-GMO Project certified.

5.  What are the Top Reasons why Manufacturers use Citri-Fi Natural Citrus Fiber?

Field feedback and scores of surveys indicate that manufacturers are using Citri-Fi citrus fiber for the natural emulsification, juiciness and succulence it provides plant-based meats. Another reason why manufacturers also gravitate to Citri-Fi is due to Fiberstar's on-going innovation in the plant-based meats category. The team works closely with a diversified group of manufacturers to understand the key market needs. As a result, Fiberstar pilots new technologies in this arena such as the new Citri-Fi TX texturized citrus fiber to improve texture. Our portfolio offers a variety of solutions ranging from creating firm meat-like texture to binding oil and water during harsh food processing and storage conditions.

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