Oat milk is a rising star in the plant-based milk world. Making oat milk clean label can be challenging. Yet, clean label Citri-Fi® citrus fiber provides enhanced mouthfeel and stability when additional functionality is needed.
You know the saying, “there is a flavor for everyone”. This also applies to plant-based milks too. Today, the market offers a plant-based milk for everyone. Though almond milk remains the top contender in the plant milk world, other bases are making strides. For instance, oat milk continues to rise like a star due to its versatility, healthy halo reputation and creamy texture.
Some oat milks rely on stabilizers such as gellan gum to improve the texture and stability. However, many oat milks on the market depend on the beta-glucan innately tucked away in the oat itself to create high quality drinks. And that beta-glucan gives oats its heart healthy reputation.
Improving the Oat Texture with Citrus Fiber
Although the oat base creates desirable plant milk attributes, some milks require additional stability. However, at the same time, adding ingredients to oat milk while maintaining a clean label poses challenges. Like oats, Citri-Fi® citrus fiber contains native soluble fibers that provide high functionality at very low usage levels (0.1 to 0.4%). This citrus fiber’s intact pectin content contributes improved mouthfeel and additional stability.
Because Citri-Fi’s fiber expands in shear conditions, a single or double homogenization step will create thicker and smoother textures. From this, plant-based milk producers can optimize the oat and citrus fiber usage level to improve the texture and nutritional contributions. These superior characteristics sets this citrus fiber apart from others on the market.
For instance, this natural upcycled ingredient is created from byproduct of the citrus juicing industry. And because it is one of few citrus fibers that use a patented process free from chemical modifications, producers prefer its superior functionality. Its green existence complements any brand’s sustainable story. Additionally, Citri-Fi’s labeling options include citrus fiber, citrus flour or dried citrus pulp which all resonate well in the natural markets. As a result, producers making oat milk benefit from a clean label.
