The explosive growth of the CBD and cannabis market has led to rapid new product development that has often yielded products with off flavor notes. The biggest culprit is bitterness. Here’s why:
- Cannabinoids: The primary active components in cannabis, such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), have inherently bitter tastes. When these compounds are extracted and infused into edibles, their bitterness can influence the overall flavor.
- Terpenes and Flavonoids: Cannabis contains a variety of terpenes and flavonoids, which contribute to its aroma and taste. Some of these compounds have bitter or earthy flavors that can carry over into edibles.
- Chlorophyll: If the extraction process used to obtain cannabis compounds is not highly refined, chlorophyll from the plant material may remain in the extract. Chlorophyll has a distinctly bitter taste and can affect the flavor of the final product.
- Extraction Methods: The method used to extract cannabis compounds can impact the taste. Less selective extraction techniques may pull more bitter-tasting compounds from the plant. High-quality, refined extracts aim to minimize these unwanted flavors but may not eliminate them entirely.
- Interaction with Ingredients: When cannabis extracts are mixed with other ingredients in edibles, chemical interactions can occur that might enhance the perception of bitterness.
When developing a flavor system for these products, it’s imperative to look at two elements of a flavoring system:
- Flavor Masking: The first priority is masking off notes and providing a neutral base to maximize the impact of the chosen flavor profile.
- Flavor Enhancing: Choose flavor profiles that are fun, exotic and delicious to differentiate your products and entice consumers.
Osage Flavors has your flavor masking needs covered. It’s an area we’ve specialized in since the company was founded. We also have three great, on-trend flavor solutions for CBD and cannabis products.
- Dragon Fruit: This tropical fruit combines notes of kiwi and pear.
- Cinnamon Crunch: Who doesn’t love this cereal, and who doesn’t want it appearing in their CBD and cannabis products?
- Glazed Donut: The perfect flavor for the perfect mood.
Learn more about our flavor masking and flavor solutions at www.osageflavors.com.
