Application

Plant-Based Meat and Seafood Alternative Flavours

Savoury, roasted, grilled and seafood flavour systems plus pea and soy protein masking for Canadian plant-based burger, ground, nugget, sausage and seafood-alternative producers.

Masking comes before the meat note

Pea, fava, soy and canola proteins carry green, beany, earthy and sometimes bitter notes that dominate an unmasked patty. Layering a beef or chicken flavour on top of that base produces a product that tastes like two things at once, which is the most common complaint in blind panels.

We start with a masking and bitterness-blocking layer matched to your specific protein and inclusion level, then build the savoury profile on the cleaned-up base. The result reads as one coherent product rather than flavour sitting on protein.

Cooked, grilled and seafood character

Raw plant-based patties should smell mild and develop character on the grill, so we build profiles that release under heat rather than announcing themselves in the package. That includes roasted, seared, smoky and fat-note components that mimic the Maillard development consumers associate with cooking meat.

For seafood alternatives we work with marine, brine and mild algae-derived notes for whitefish, salmon, shrimp and tuna-style products, balanced so the profile reads fresh rather than fishy after retort, freezing or reheating.

Process, label and Canadian documentation

Extrusion, retort, freezing and reheating each strip a different part of the profile. We supply process-matched versions for high-moisture extrusion, frozen formed products and shelf-stable retort packs, and validate with you before scale-up.

Most plant-based briefs are also clean-label briefs, so we work from natural flavours where the declaration matters and provide specification sheets, allergen statements — including soy and gluten status — and certificates of analysis in English and French for your Canadian label review.

Frequently asked questions

Can you remove the beany taste from pea protein?

We reduce it substantially with a masking and bitterness-blocking layer built for your specific protein and inclusion level, then add the savoury profile on top.

Do you supply beef, chicken and pork style flavours?

Yes, along with grilled, smoked, roasted and fat-note components, and marine profiles for seafood alternatives.

Are the flavours suitable for a vegan claim?

For the selected product, review vegan. Confirm the supporting information available, its scope and language with your Delsa contact. Your regulatory reviewer should assess suitability for the intended application and finished-product claims; do not assume a complete document pack or universal compliance.

Will the flavour survive high-moisture extrusion?

We supply process-matched versions for extrusion and recommend post-extrusion addition when a delicate profile cannot survive the barrel.

Evaluate the flavour in your product

A flavour description is a starting point, not evidence of performance in your recipe. Use a documented trial to decide whether a candidate fits.

  1. 1. Define the base and challenge

    Share the product base, processing conditions, target taste and benchmark. Identify the issue: bitterness, aroma loss, an unwanted note or a new flavour direction.

  2. 2. Agree on the trial

    Ask technical support to confirm the selected flavour’s dosage, carrier and handling requirements. Compare candidates in the same recipe and process, including an unflavoured control where useful.

  3. 3. Record the decision

    Evaluate aroma, taste, aftertaste and appearance after processing and during your intended storage conditions. Record the formula, dose and observations against your agreed acceptance criteria before scale-up.

Confirm the documents for your selected flavour

Tell us which specification, allergen statement, safety data sheet, certificate of analysis or certification evidence your quality team needs. Availability and certification scope must be confirmed for the specific reference; an ingredient document does not establish compliance of your finished product.

Talk to our Canadian team

Share your application, product base, target profile and timeline. Our Canadian office reviews your brief with Delsa and confirms the options, sample availability and next steps for your project.