Last month we mentioned the natural taste preference for sweet that develops at birth and generally lasts a lifetime. Taste, however, is just one part of the flavor experience. Flavor is much more complex. It is the result of how you perceive the combined taste, smell, texture, and temperature of a food or drink – in addition to how it feels in your mouth. Flavor scientists have discovered that changes in one of these parts may have implications for another.
Below are three ways you can use this knowledge to boost sweetness in drinks without added sugar. We have also included some of our yummy recipes as examples created by Rethink Your Drink team member, Deborah Joakimson, MS, NDTR.
- Add cinnamon and/or vanilla.
There are several ways that cinnamon, vanilla and a few other spices and seasonings make food and drinks seem sweeter. For example, they can mask bitterness, soften sharp flavors, and even trick our brain into sensing more sweetness by triggering memories of treats we’ve enjoyed before.
You can experience the combined effects of vanilla and cinnamon in our milk-based Banana Milk Spice and Cinnamilla recipes. If you prefer something more simple, try Apple Spice.
- Serve it creamy.
Creamy smooth drinks coat the mouth and allow more time for the natural sweetness of ingredients to stay on the tongue. Like some spices and seasonings, a creamy consistency can also mask bitterness. The result is a sweeter flavor without added sugar. See for yourself! Try our Yummy Banana Blend.
- Make your mouth tingle with mint and chili pepper.
The coolness of mint and the hot spicy sensation of chili peppers make the natural sweetness of other ingredients more intense. If you prefer minty cool, we have several tasty recipes for you to try including Minty Orange Aid, Minty Citrus, Citrus Refresher, and Mystery Mint. For those of you who like it hot and spicy, try Zesty Lemon Mango.
Want a challenge? Use this information to develop your own unique drink recipe by experimenting with ingredients you have on hand.
