April 24, 2023
What motivates and excites the EnviroStar team every day is the opportunity to solve problems and drive nutrition through innovation. Their passion for making a positive impact is evident in their work, and they take pride in finding new and creative ways to help others achieve their goals. Take a peek inside the lab to see some of the exciting projects the team is working on to help people get the results they need.
Powdered Coffee Creamer
Unless you’re a coffee purist and take your java black, you’re probably adding milk, or some version of it, to your cup. Coffee creamer, one of the most popular coffee additives, is lauded by some for enhancing the flavor of coffee and cutting its acidity. However, many creamer products are high in sugar and calories. To create a more nutritious option, prominent natural beverage company Califia Farms set out to create delicious, plant-based dairy alternatives that are better for people and the planet.
When Califia Farms wanted to powderize their successful line of plant-based coffee creamers, they approached Envirostar to help with formulation development. Tasked with replicating the flavor profiles from the existing liquid creamers, EnviroStar rose to the challenge helping Califia Farms expand their product offerings with a water-soluble powder version and a line of products with an extended shelf-life.
Baby Formula
The first known commercial infant formula was invented by a chemist who had a passion for improving nutrition for others after growing up in a community where food was in short supply. Today, about 54% of infants in the United States receive formula, either exclusively or as a supplement, by three months of life. The shelves in just about any retail store are lined with options to meet the specific nutritional needs of infants at different stages of development, as well as to address specific health concerns or dietary restrictions.
EnviroStar came alongside a popular infant nutrition company to develop a label-friendly formula for babies with sensitive stomachs. While there are a number of methods used to create powdered formula, spray drying is a perfect fit in this application because it helps break down complex molecules and proteins into smaller, more easily digestible forms.
The spray drying process can help make baby formula more digestible for infants with stomach issues in a few ways. First, it can help break down complex molecules and proteins in the formula into smaller, more easily digestible forms. This can be particularly important for infants with digestive issues, as their digestive systems may not be able to handle larger or more complex molecules.
Spray drying also helps remove moisture from the formula, which can reduce the risk of bacterial growth and spoilage. This can be particularly important for infants with compromised immune systems or other health issues. Finally, spray drying can help create a more uniform and consistent product, which can be important for ensuring that the formula is well-tolerated by infants with sensitive stomachs.
Hot Sauce Powder
Hot sauce is a condiment enjoyed by millions of people around the world. With its fiery flavor and tongue-tingling heat, hot sauce has become a staple in many cuisines, from Mexican to Thai to American barbecue. Despite its intense taste, hot sauce has gained a loyal following of enthusiasts who can’t get enough of its spicy kick.
When Yellow Bird Foods wanted to powderize their well-liked hot sauce flavors while exploring new product options, the home-grown hot sauce manufacturer partnered with EnviroStar to tackle the difficult task.
Hot sauce typically contains a high level of salt and vinegar, which can be corrosive to the equipment used in the spray drying process. This can cause damage to the equipment, resulting in increased maintenance costs and downtime. Additionally, the capsaicin compound found in hot peppers that gives hot sauce its spicy heat is heat-sensitive and can break down at high temperatures, which can affect the flavor and potency of the sauce. This can make it difficult to achieve the desired level of heat in the spray-dried product without sacrificing flavor or quality. Hot sauce products may also contain thickening agents, such as gums or starches, which can make them more difficult to spray dry without clumping or clogging the equipment.
Envirostar’s extensive food manufacturing experience and specialized equipment made it possible to develop a recipe that was easier on the equipment and retained that velvety–smooth fiery–flavor profile Yellow Bird is known for. Envirostar’s solution resulted in a marketable product and opened the door for the company to explore additional product lines.
Bringing Ideas to Market
What’s an idea you’ve had? Whether you’ve been working on it for a while or recently gained inspiration, the EnviroStar team welcomes the opportunity to help you solve a problem and bring a new product to market.