Gerkens® cocoa engineers have developed two new cocoa powders (SRB100 and SRB200), which can enable 30% sugar reduction in the end beverage in a natural way.
Consumer research and market developments highlight the need for sugar reduction solutions within the beverage category. Two-thirds of European consumers made a conscious effort to follow a healthier diet in 2021*, with 54% saying that reducing sugar has become more important for them.
To meet their needs, Cargill has introduced Gerkens® Sweety cocoa powders for the beverage market. These powders make it possible for beverage producers to hit the sweet spot for consumers who want it all: less sugar, natural reduction, and great taste. They’re based on years of R&D work, sensory data and insights, which have resulted in a product that both adults, and kids love.
Gerkens® cocoa engineers have developed two new cocoa powders (SRB100 and SRB200), which can enable 30% sugar reduction in the end beverage in a natural way (without adding any sweeteners or artificial ingredients). Both SRB100 and SRB200 are low in bitterness, but maintain a strong well-balanced chocolaty flavour, with a strong sweet perception by consumers, hence less sugar is needed in the final application. Additionally, each has a unique flavour profile to cover the desired spectrum of Cargill customers. In this way, SRB100 has a stronger chocolate/cocoa flavour, while SRB200 delivers a creamier, milder flavour. Furthermore, Gerkens® Cocoa Engineers have the capabilities in place to further tailor new powders targeted for sugar reduction based on customer requirements.
Sweety cocoa powders come on the back of years of development work by Gerkens® Cocoa Engineers to build a deep understanding of flavour formation in processing and the impact on application. Several sugar-reduced beverage prototypes were developed and further validated through blind tastings with consumers to gather feedback on the cocoa powders and assess liking.
Gerkens® is recognised as a reliable global brand with a rich history and expertise in the industry that delivers high quality, consistent products. Sweety reinforces Gerkens®’ cocoa powder leadership by tackling an increasingly important market trend around health and clean label, while still ensuring the sensory appeal of the final product.
The launch of Sweety is a prime example of the Gerkens® brand commitment to understanding what goodness means to our customers, and their consumers. With health rising to the top of the agenda, consumers are looking to reduce their sugar intake, but without compromising on taste. These innovative cocoa powders enable manufacturers to address this market shift through both the development of new products or the reformulation of existing ones. In this way, it enables them to achieve 30% sugar reduction in a natural, tasty way!
*Cargill Proprietary Research 2021, 7000+ consumers in 10 EMEA countries
Find out more here: Gerkens® Cocoa Powders | Bulk Cocoa Supplier | Cargill
Editorial contact:
Editor: Kiran Grewal kgrewal@kennedys.co.uk
