A commonly asked question is: “What ingredient systems are used in the fortification process to help deliver a great tasting product while masking undesirable flavors?” Some answers lay in traditional food preparation methods, used by chefs since ancient times.
A little sugar or sweetness in a “complementary” ingredient goes a long way. The bitter notes of a nutrient are more acceptable to a consumer in a chocolate-based beverage or fortified nutrition bar where the chocolate has a synergistic bitterness. The important point is to focus on the amount of bitterness and the level that is acceptable to the consumer in order to provide a balanced flavor system that encourages repeat purchases.