Modern nostalgia: Gold Coast unveils cookies and cream flavors with twist for F&B and nutraceuticals

01 Mar 2022 --- Gold Coast Ingredients has unveiled a new range of flavor trifectas dubbed Cookies, Cream and Things for a vast range of F&B and nutraceutical applications. The flavor line taps into consumers’ nostalgic love for cookies and cream with an unconventional twist, such as added peanut butter or coffee notes. 

“We’ve seen the cookies and cream flavor pop up in nearly every popular sweet category, from cakes and candies to syrups and ice cream,” Megan Byrnes, marketing manager at Gold Coast Ingredients, tells FoodIngredientsFirst.

The flavor has also appeared in less typical applications, such as protein supplements, sauces, snack mixes and cereals, she elaborates. 

Jumping onto the trend appearing in grocery stores, restaurants, social media and its own clients’ product development, Gold Coast developed the new line of taste combinations to “spark innovation” with all-natural ingredients. 

Gold Coast expects the first applications of its Cookies, Cream and Things line to come from the nutraceutical sector.Cookies, Cream and Things flavors include:

• Red Velvet, Cookies & Cream Flavor.
• Marshmallow, Cookies & Cream Flavor.
• Peanut Butter, Cookies & Cream Flavor.
• Birthday Cake, Cookies & Cream Flavor.
• Coconut, Cookies & Cream Flavor.
• Chai, Cookies & Cream Flavor.
• Caramel, Cookies & Cream Flavor.
• Coffee, Cookies & Cream Flavor.
• Mint, Cookies & Cream Flavor.
• Berries, Cookies & Cream Flavor.

One flavor system
These flavors differ from others in the market because manufacturers do not need to add multiple flavors separately into their product, explains Byrnes. 

“The primary challenge we faced while creating these flavors was finding the right balance of cookie, cream, and other flavor notes in the new blends,” she continues.

For example, Peanut Butter, Cookies & Cream blended well on the company’s first few tries. But marshmallow, being a much more subtle flavor, took the R&D and applications teams several trials to get the marshmallow notes to come out. 

The advantage of the new line is that each flavor uses only one system and the company provides recommended usage levels to make it easy for its clients to add to their application, Byrnes highlights. 

Nutraceuticals to take off first?
While the cookies and cream flavor has gone far and wide, Byrnes anticipates that the nutraceutical industry will be the first to take full advantage of the line. 

“We predict to first see Cookies, Cream & Things flavors in [active-lifestyle] powders, bars, cookies and protein supplements where there is rapid flavor innovation.”

This is in line with Kerry’s 2022 taste charts, which envision an uptake in over-the-top indulgence within targeted health benefits.

Exploring taste
Putting the flavors to a prototype, Gold Coast will be showcasing its Red Velvet, Cookies & Cream Flavor in a cereal snack mix at Expo West. 

“We chose this snack mix as a plain canvas to focus the experience on the new flavor. The individually packaged snack mix is also easy for attendees to take on the go and taste later,” says Byrnes.

Considering time for product development and manufacturing, the company anticipates these flavors will be on the shelves in Q3 or Q4 of this year. 

By Missy Green 

This feature is provided by NutritionInsight’s sister website, FoodIngredientsFirst.

To contact our editorial team please email us at editorial@cnsmedia.com