powdered drinks Archives

Dry Plating: Citri-Fi Citrus Fiber Turns Liquids into Free-Flowing Powders - Beverages

May 31, 2023

Plating Agent: Citrus Fiber Nature’s Dry Carrier

Some food ingredients come in both oil-soluble and water-soluble states such as flavors and nutritional fortifiers. Formulating with these aqueous food ingredients can be challenging. Because of this, many prefer to use dry carriers. To do this, plating agents like Citri-Fi® citrus fiber can transform liquid substances into flowable powders by dry blending. Once combined, the plated citrus fiber can be added to beverages, soups, sauces and dressings. At less than 1% usage, Citri-Fi not only delivers flavor, but also texture, stability and nutrition.

In previous articles, Fiberstar touted how Citri-Fi citrus fiber converted liquids into flowable powders. Though it sounds like a form of wizardry, this citrus fiber’s high surface area lends itself to this magical act. And when stacked up against other plating agents on the market such as maltodextrin, food starches and silicates, many prefer citrus fiber due to its clean label status.

Plating Agent Magic: Citrus Fiber

Citri-Fi is an upcycled citrus fiber produced from byproduct of the citrus juicing industry. The process, which is free from chemical modifications, opens up the fiber to create high surface area. As a result, when mixed with Citri-Fi, liquids become trapped in the fibrous matrix transforming its liquid state into a dry free-flowing powder. These liquids are not restricted to just oil-based solutions as mentioned in previous articles. Citri-Fi can turn other aqueous solutions such as water-based or oil and water-based solutions into flowable powders.

Besides serving as a delivery system, the Citri-Fi also provides additional functionality depending on the food application. In beverages, the plated citrus fiber creates a natural mouthfeel, body and stability when hydrated. This dry carrier also improves yields and juiciness in processed meats like pumped poultry or chicken. Other applications include plating medicinal oils like CBD.

Oil-Soluble Liquid to Dry Powder Beverage Example: Lemon Oil

Many flavors and nutritional fortifiers start life as a liquid oil. Citri-Fi citrus fiber can plate up to 20% liquid oil while maintaining flowability. In this this example, lemon oil is plated onto Citri-Fi 100M40 citrus fiber to create an oil powder. To do this, dry blend 20% lemon oil onto a solid carrier such as citrus fiber in a vessel. If used in a beverage, about 0.25% of the citrus fiber plated with lemon oil is blended with other dry ingredients such as sugar before mixing into water or other liquids.

Water-Soluble Liquid to Dry Powder Example: Liquid Smoke

Some water-based flavors such as liquid smoke can be plated onto citrus fiber. In this application, Citri-Fi can bind up to 1:1 water-soluble ingredients and remain a free-flowing powder. To do this, pour water-soluble liquid smoke into a vessel containing Citri-Fi citrus fiber while mixing. Mix until a homogenous powder forms. Once dry blended, the plated liquid smoke can be used in dry mixes like dressings, sauces and soups.

Oil and Water-Soluble Liquid to Dry Powder Example: Liquid Smoke

In some cases, the flavoring system is a combination of oil and water like for some smoke flavor blends. The plating agent, Citri-Fi 100M40, can bind up to 20% of both water-soluble and oil-soluble ingredients while maintaining a free-flowing powder. To do this, place the Citri-Fi into a mixing vessel. While mixing, pour the water-soluble smoke flavor first. Mix until homogenous. Next add the oil-soluble smoke flavor and mix until homogenous. Oil-soluble ingredients can be also mixed with citrus fiber first without a noticeable difference.

Other Citrus Fiber Benefits

In the end, plating agents like citrus fiber can convert oil-soluble or water-soluble materials into flowing powders. The plated citrus fiber delivers the flavor to food products when used at less than 1%. In addition to delivering flavor, Citri-Fi also provides additional functionality such as improved texture, stability and nutrition.

Citri-Fi citrus fiber is non-GMO Project Certified, allergen-free and gluten-free. USDA certified organic is now available – Citri-Fi 400 citrus fiber series. Labeling options include citrus fiber, dried citrus pulp or citrus flour which resonate well in the clean label market. This citrus fiber does not have an E-number.

For more information, please contact us at techsupport@fiberstar.net.

Upcycled Citrus Fiber Debuts at SupplySide West

SupplySide West lassos together food ingredient companies serving the food, beverage and dietary supplement markets. Among these customers, many participate in the fast growing natural, organic and functional food segments. Though historically, this show catered to those within dietary supplements. Today, this show attracts attendees globally who seek innovative solutions such as upcycled citrus fiber for functional food and beverages.

Fiberstar, Inc. will exhibit at this upcoming show at booth #2259. The team will showcase its flagship Citri-Fi citrus fiber which is produced from byproduct of the citrus juicing process. Besides the fact that this upcycled ingredient supports a sustainable story, it also provides multi-functionalities including water holding and emulsification. As a result, this natural food ingredient benefits a variety of food applications including beverages, nutritional bars and gummy-based supplements.

Boosting Beverages

Citri-Fi citrus fiber improves various beverage types including ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, powdered drinks and smoothies. The water holding feature of the insoluble/soluble fiber enhances the mouthfeel and texture of powdered drinks. And due to the high surface area, Citri-Fi serves as a dry plating agent holding up to 25% oil to turn liquids into flowable powders. This same fibrous matrix also contributes some thickness which allows it to extend fruit and/or vegetables in smoothies or juice nectars in addition to improving the mouthfeel.

Bringing up the Bar

Today, the market offers a plethora of nutritional bars. Many of these bars require water holding agents to help minimize dryness which adversely affects the stability and texture. At less than 1% usage rate, this upcycled citrus fiber can be incorporated into bars keeping them soft and pliable to prevent teeth cracking. This applies to bar coatings, fillings and bases. For example, Citri-Fi improves the texture and freshness of a baked coating in addition to its fruit filling.

Going Gummy

Analysts predict that the gummy market is growing leaps and bounds making it the new frontier for supplements. The gummy format grew in popularity due to its sugary appeal and chewy texture which eases edibility versus swallowing traditional tablets. Today, supplement manufacturers have convinced consumers there is a solution for every human ailment. And that solution comes in the form of a gummy. However, due to recent current events, the hydrocolloids (pectin, gelatin, modified starches, alginate, etc.) that form gummies still struggle with availability. As a result, other ingredients such as upcycled citrus fiber provide formulators a clean label alternative.

Since Citri-Fi citrus fiber contains high levels of intact native pectin, it can be used to extend some hydrocolloids in gummy formulations. Or this natural citrus fiber can be used in conjunction with other hydrocolloids to create similar textures. And because Citri-Fi qualifies as a dietary fiber under the FDA guidelines, it also contributes fiber on the nutritional label.

Upcycled Citrus Fiber Added Benefits

Besides benefitting health and wellness foods, Citri-Fi’s dual functionality also improves a variety of foods including dairy, bakery, pet food and plant-based foods like meat substitutes and dairy alternatives.

Non-GMO Project Certified | Allergen-free | Gluten-free | No E-number | Organic (coming soon!)

Learn more how Citri-Fi can help your food products by contacting us!

BLOG: Healthy Beverages Spill into 2020

Citri-Fi^®citrus fiber improves texture, nutrition and labeling of healthy beverages such as acidified protein drinks, vegetable/fruit drinks, smoothies and powders. At low usage levels (0.1% to 1.0%), this natural fiber delivers emulsification, improved mouthfeel, stability and clouding to a variety of beverages.

Healthy beverages continue to spike interest in 2020. These healthy beverage launches range from using less sugar to incorporating more functional ingredients to promote overall well being. For instance, Citri-Fi citrus fiber not only contributes some fiber to drinks, but also, this natural ingredient provides additional textural benefits such as emulsification, stabilization, clouding and improved mouthfeel.

Healthy Beverages using Citrus Fiber

Citri-Fi is a natural citrus fiber created by a patented process free from chemical modifications. This natural ingredient provides high water and oil binding which is ideal for healthy refreshments like acidified protein and fruit and vegetable drinks. As a result, these healthy beverages maintain stability during harsh processing conditions. Citri-Fi also thickens drinks such as smoothies to give a more pleasant mouthfeel. And, this natural fiber provides improved texture and clouding to powdered drinks such as sports performance beverages.

Turning Liquids into Flow-able Powders

Another benefit of using Citri-Fi citrus fiber includes using this natural ingredient as a plating agent. This citrus fiber's high surface area lends itself to holding high levels of oil. Depending on the oil, Citri-Fi plates up to 25-30% oil and turns the oil into a flow-able powder. As a result, product developers benefit by plating flavored and/or nutritional oils. Moreover, the plated Citri-Fi not only delivers oil to a liquid system, but it also contributes functional textural benefits. For instance, a developer has the ability to plate a flavor onto Citri-Fi and incorporate the plated fiber into a beverage. The plated Citri-Fi delivers and stabilizes the oil. And the plated fiber improves the mouthfeel as well as creates a clouding effect

Citrus Fiber Usage in Healthy Drinks

Citri-Fi citrus fiber is used between 0.1% to 1.0% in most beverages. More is less when it comes to this citrus fiber. For instance, very low dosages provide all the textural benefits to improve healthy beverages. For best results, mix the citrus fiber with other dry ingredients first. At the same time, Citri-Fi can also be added to liquids with a strong vortex present to prevent fish eyes. Check out the beverage usage guide or the video library for additional information.

Clean Benefits in Healthy RTD

Citri-Fi's labeling options include citrus fiber, dried citrus pulp or citrus flour. As a result, this natural fiber helps clean up label declarations which resonates well in the natural market. Also, Citri-Fi is non-GMO project certified and gluten-free/allergen-free. This natural fiber has no E-number which is ideal for the European markets.

Additional Articles on Citrus Fiber in Beverages

To learn more about using Citri-Fi citrus fiber in beverages, please check out the below articles:

Ingredients for coffee, tea and juice provide new opportunities (Dairy Foods)

Plant-based Beverages: An Untapped Opportunity for Citrus Fiber (Part 1) BLOG

Plant-based Beverages: An Untapped Opportunity for Citrus Fiber (Part 2) BLOG

The Rough and the Smoothie BLOG

How to Make Clean Label Yogurt using Citrus Fiber BLOG

ORDER SAMPLE

Tag: powdered drinks