Spray Dried vs Plated Flavours

As supplier of flavourings to the nutrition sector, we understand how important it is to offer the right type of flavours at the correct price.

We keep being asked what’s the difference between a Spray Dried and Plated flavours, and wether it matters? After matching powdered flavours for clients, we’ve also enlightened them on the product they are buying.

Let’s have a little look at the differences, hopefully this information will allow you to make the right purchasing decisions.

Spray Dried Flavours –

Spray Dried flavours are created in two stages. The first stage is manufacturing a liquid flavouring. The second stage is combining your liquid flavour with maltodextrin ensuring it is fully coated. The combination of flavouring and maltodextrin is atomised when it enters the spray drying machine, forming tiny micro-droplets, these micro-droplets are protected from heat deformation (bake stable). The flavouring is now encapsulated, ready for use.

Plated Flavours –

Plated flavours are a much simpler product, we still have to manufacture the liquid flavouring and mixed with maltodextrin, however the material is not put into the spray drier. Flavour houses tend to also add an anti-caking agent to the mix ensuring the stability of the final product and binding of the the liquid and powder.

Does it matter?

Yes. There are advantages and dis-advantages to both types of powdered flavours:

Price – Spray Dried flavourings are more expensive than plated. The main reason for this is the process it goes through and the amount of product waste created. The time it takes to clean the machines between batches to ensure there is no contamination means, lead times are much longer. With plated flavours you do not have this issue.

Odour – Plated flavourings smell much stronger than spray dried, this is because the flavour molecules have not been encapsulated. When opening sniffing a nutrition product, it’s very obvious.

Taste – Spray Dried flavours release their flavour once mixed with a liquid and leaves a longer after taste in the mouth.

Stability – There is a big difference in product stability. Plated flavours tend to have a shelf-life of 6 months, after which the flavour will become weaker and slightly changes. Spray Dried flavourings have a much longer shelf-life 12+ months, the encapsulation process protects the flavour. Both types will need to be stored in sure tight containers away from moisture.

Lead time – The majority of flavour houses outsource the spray drying part of the powdered flavour, only manufacturing the liquid part. This tends to add an extra 2/3 weeks lead time on top of their standard manufacturing times. Outsourcing can bring up separate issues of product consistency and material handling practices.

We ensure all our customers know what type of powdered flavourings they are purchasing and make this clear at the beginning of a sampling process. Due to the large difference in price between the two types of flavours, we suggest checking with suppliers to ensure they are being transparent with the type you are purchasing. You could well be over paying.

If you are doubting the type of powder you are purchasing you can check a few things:

1) Shelf Life – if your documents say 6 months then it’s probably plated.

2) Safety Data Sheet – Section 3 (Ingredient composition) – if it contains an anti-caking agent then it’s probably plated.

3) Odour – if you’re struggling to smell the product, it’s probably spray dried.

Here at Cosmic Flavours we take pride in looking after our clients, being fully transparent from the start.

If you have any questions or would like us to confirm the type of flavour you’re buying, please do not hesitate to contact us.