Email Us info@fiberstar.net
Call Us +1 (715) 425-7550
ORDER SAMPLE
Menu

Tag: dairy alternatives

January 28, 2021
No Comments
Dressings, Soups & Sauces

Plant Sauces: Dressing up Stability and Emulsification

Creating plant sauces containing no animal-derived ingredients separate over time and lack full body mouthfeel. Natural ingredients like Citri-Fi® citrus fiber provide high water holding and emulsification which improve stability and texture in products like vegan ranch dressings.

The market whirled their attention around meat substitutes for the past year. At the same time, dairy alternative foods such as plant milks and dairy-free cheeses continued to grab market share. Yet, one food category remains amiss in this plant-based phenomena – plant sauces. For centuries, sauces and dressings were and still are food’s beloved canopy of flavor and texture. And since some of these products use animal-derived ingredients, they too face challenges converting into vegan versions.

Plant Sauce Challenges

Some sauces and dressings use egg and/or milk proteins to provide texture, stability and flavor. When eliminated, food products suffer from oil and water separation, lack of creaminess and thin textures. However, food developers replace these animal-derived ingredients with modified starches, gums and chemical emulsifiers. As a result, food label declarations turn into lengthy lists full of questionable ingredients in the consumers’ eyes.

Today, the market offers a few natural ingredient options. One natural option, Citri-Fi citrus fiber, provides high water holding and emulsification properties. This citrus fiber’s insoluble and soluble fiber containing intact pectin uses a physical and surface activity mechanism to create the natural emulsification. The oil and water bind tightly to improve stability over time. Moreover, the citrus fiber improves the texture by creating a smooth and full body mouthfeel.

Citrus Fiber Improves Vegan Ranch Dressing

For example, food products such as ranch dressing typically uses mayonnaise, yogurt and buttermilk. Each component contains animal-derived ingredients such as egg and milk protein. However, at very low usage levels (0.2% to 2.0%), Citri-Fi can be used to replace egg in mayonnaise and to improve the texture of plant-based cultured products like dairy-free yogurts. So when the two are combined to make the vegan sauce, it performs like its animal-derived counterpart.

Citri-Fi is non-GMO Project Certified, non-allergenic and gluten-free. It has no E-number. Labeling options include citrus fiber, dried citrus pulp or citrus flour which all resonate well in the clean label markets. Fiberstar, Inc. is a proud member of the Plant-based Foods Association (PBFA).

To learn more about how to create vegan mayo, plant-based cultured products like non-dairy yogurt or plant sauces like vegan ranch dressing, please contact us. Formulation sheets and technical support are available.

Read more →

Dairy Alternative: Citri-Fi Citrus Fiber Provides Natural Mouthfeel, Stability and Clean Label
October 27, 2020
No Comments
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.

Read more →

Frozen Foods: Ice Cream, Frozen Meals, Sorbets: Citri-Fi Citrus Fiber Binds Water, Freeze/thaw Stability and Reduces Ice Crystal Formation
June 2, 2020
No Comments
Frozen Foods

Natural Ice Cream using Citrus Fiber

Citri-Fi® citrus fiber provides water holding and emulsification properties that benefit natural ice cream. This ice cream ingredient replaces chemical emulsifiers and stabilizers which shortens and cleans up food labeling. Moreover, Citri-Fi minimizes ice crystallization during storage. As a result, frozen desserts using citrus fiber maintain a smooth texture and full body. 

Ice cream is one of those foods that puts a smile on anyone's face around the world. Since its invention, this frozen dessert turned into many shapes, forms, flavors and textures. And thru the years, mass production, storage and shipping allowed many smiling faces around the world to enjoy this treat. However, today, consumers in some parts check labels before dipping the spoon. As a result, ice cream manufacturers gravitate toward clean label ingredients to create more natural ice creams. Yet, is this possible if chemical emulsifiers and stabilizers were originally used to create ice cream more tolerable to transport, handling and storage conditions?

Citri-Fi Citrus Fiber in Natural Ice Cream 

To clean up food labeling declarations, manufacturers seek out natural ice cream ingredients that provide functionality. For instance, Citri-Fi citrus fiber provides high water holding and emulsification properties that create high quality frozen desserts like ice cream. As a matter of fact, this natural citrus fiber creates clean label ice creams by replacing chemical emulsifiers and/or stabilizers. Because of this, labeling contains a shorter and simpler statement. At low usage levels (0.3% to 1.0%), Citri-Fi 100M40 is easily added to the dry ingredients and mixed first.

Other Key Benefits in Natural Frozen Desserts

Citri-Fi also controls the ice crystal growth to prevent grainy textures. As a result, during storage, the ice cream maintains the full body and creamy mouthfeel without the ice crystals. Because of the freeze/thaw stability, this natural ice cream ingredient creates high quality frozen products over shelf life. In addition, depending on some formulations, Citri-Fi also reduces melt time.

Lastly, Citri-Fi also performs well in dairy-free ice creams or vegan frozen desserts. Since this natural citrus fiber binds water to control water migration, Citri-Fi maintains the smooth texture of dairy-free ice creams over storage time.

Read more →

Citri-Fi Citrus Fiber Water Holding, Natural Emulsifier, Upcycled, Sustainable, Gelling Properties
May 19, 2020
No Comments
Citrus Fiber In the News

How to Add Citri-Fi® Citrus Fiber to Foods

Citri-Fi® citrus fiber improves texture, labeling, stability and nutrition of various food products. However, to use this natural citrus fiber in foods, it needs to be hydrated correctly to activate the full functionality. As a result, these four easy methods minimize dispersion issues that may arise when adding this natural ingredient. 

Before diving into how to use citrus fiber in foods, let us review why you need to use Citri-Fi in the first place. Citri-Fi citrus fiber uses a process free from chemical modifications. The mechanical process opens up the fiber to provide high water holding and emulsification properties. As a result, when used at low levels (<1%), citrus fiber contributes multiple benefits to a variety of food products such as meats, bakery, beverages, sauces, dairy and frozen foods. Also, this natural ingredient improves hot trending products like dairy and meat alternatives. In the end, Citri-Fi citrus fiber should be your "go-to" natural ingredient to improve stability while cleaning up labels and enhancing nutrition.

Depending on the product, this healthy food ingredient provides various benefits. For instance, this food emulsifier binds water and oil which improves the stability of dairy, beverages, sauces, dressings and dairy alternatives. Additionally, Citri-Fi holds onto water to increase yields and improve juiciness and texture of meats and meat substitution products. Because this natural citrus fiber provides multiple functionalities, it replaces ingredients like starches, gums and other stabilizers to clean up food product labels.

Now that you joined the loyal citrus fiber club, let us talk about how to use it in food products successfully. Although your first urge will be to sprinkle Citri-Fi like pixie dust, proper hydration is key! In the end, properly hydrating Citri-Fi activates the full functionality of this citrus fiber.

How to Use Citri-Fi Citrus Fiber in Foods 

There are four main ways to use this natural hydrocolloid in foods to prevent clumping or "fish eyes".

1. Pre-mixed in Dry Ingredients

One option includes pre-mixing Citri-Fi citrus fiber with dry ingredients such as sugar, salt, flour, etc. depending on the food product. The dry ingredients should be approximately 10 times the weight of Citri-Fi. Moreover, foods that benefit include bakery items, seasoning mixes and processed meats.

2. Dispersed in Oil 

Another way to incorporate this natural food emulsifier is in oil. For instance, Citri-Fi can be mixed into an oil before being added to the food product or liquid. On the other hand, this natural emulsifier when mixed with a certain ratio of oil turns liquids into free-flowing powders As a result, this plated citrus fiber improves the handling and usability of the product. And as a bonus, when added to water or other food products, this plated material provides additional functionalities. For example, plated Citri-Fi provides stability and mouthfeel in beverages.

3. Dispersed into Syrups

Also, Citri-Fi can be added into syrups like sugar or glucose.

4. Prehydrated Directly in Water

Though we recommend adding Citri-Fi to dry ingredients before hydrating in water, you do have the option to prehydrate directly in water. However, in order to use this method, you need to add Citri-Fi in 3% or less solutions. In addition, this natural food ingredient needs to be added using strong agitation to avoid clumping and "fish eyes". Some recommended agitation options include blender, rotor stator homogenizer, mechanical mixer or a magnetic stirrer.

Read more →

March 23, 2020
No Comments
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.

Read more →