Solar Foods teams up with Sensapure Flavors to highlight Solein’s role in US protein drinks

Solar Foods has joined forces with American flavor specialist Sensapure Flavors to showcase the versatility of Solein, its innovative protein ingredient, in new product concepts tailored for the US market. The partnership has led to a range of ready-to-mix shakes and ready-to-drink beverages designed to appeal to American consumers’ taste preferences while highlighting Solein’s unique nutritional and functional benefits.

The collaboration aims to demonstrate how Solein can be integrated into products across the health and performance nutrition sector. Solar Foods has developed concepts for high-protein, sugar-free beverages that can be adapted for a range of needs, from active lifestyles to targeted nutrition for physical performance.

“What matters most for consumers is their experience with food and nutritional products, and taste plays a key role in this. Taste choices vary across different parts of the world, and partnering with Sensapure gives us valuable insights on the flavor preferences of consumers in the USA, the biggest protein-consuming market in the world,” commented Juan Benitez-Garcia, Chief Sales Officer of Solar Foods. “Our product concepts can help our customers accelerate their own innovation paths with Solein.”

Sensapure Flavors, based in the USA, has a strong background in crafting flavors for functional beverages and active nutrition products. Through this collaboration, the companies have co-developed multiple flavor profiles for beverages powered by Solein, intended to satisfy diverse consumer palates and demonstrate how seamlessly the novel protein can integrate into familiar product formats.

The first results of this partnership will be unveiled at the global food science and innovation event IFT FIRST, taking place in Chicago from 13-16 July. Visitors will be able to sample the new Solein Shake, available in Chocolate and Cinnamon Roll flavors, which offers 20g of protein per 10 fluid ounces (approximately 300 milliliters). Also on offer will be the ready-to-drink Solein Protein Drink, available in Chai and Velvet Lemon flavors, delivering 32g of protein per 12 fluid ounces (around 355 milliliters).

Unlike other protein sources such as whey or pea, Solein offers a unique nutritional profile, combining characteristics often associated separately with dairy and plant-based proteins. It contains all nine essential amino acids and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), but without cholesterol or saturated fats. Solein also contributes iron and vitamin B12, nutrients typically lacking in plant-based proteins, while adding a creamy texture and rich mouthfeel to products.

“We constantly explore and discover the various uses of Solein. The flavor is especially interesting as it’s something completely new that hasn’t been tasted before,” Benitez-Garcia added. “Thanks to the mild, slightly nutty umami flavor of Solein, it can be used in various combinations without off-notes, bringing creaminess and full-bodied richness to the product.”

For Sensapure, the project represents a chance to work with a completely new ingredient that aligns with its focus on innovation in the active lifestyle sector. Before becoming an independent flavor house in 2017, Sensapure operated as the flavor applications department for one of the largest nutritional supplement manufacturers in the US. Today, the company develops custom flavors for a wide array of major manufacturers and brands in the functional food and beverage market.

“Solein is a very interesting and exciting ingredient which truly has the potential to revolutionize the food industry,” said Tony Colalillo, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Sensapure. “It is very easy to work with Solein and, compared to plant-based proteins, it has excellent nutritional values with a minimal environmental footprint. Thanks to its mild taste, Solein gives a clean slate to build delicious flavors that will fit seamlessly with existing products and consumers’ favorite flavors. We are beyond excited to be working with Solar Foods and helping them demonstrate Solein’s capabilities to the food industry.”

Solein, produced by Solar Foods through a fermentation process using carbon dioxide and renewable electricity, has attracted attention for its minimal environmental impact compared to traditional agriculture or animal-based protein production. By collaborating with Sensapure, Solar Foods is positioning Solein as a flexible and appealing ingredient for brands looking to innovate in the booming US protein market.