Consumer attitudes and preferences are constantly shifting, leading to change throughout the food industry—especially in the tortilla market. Today’s consumers love tortillas, especially when they taste fresh; are soft and flexible; roll easily; and have clean labels. Tortilla manufacturers can gain a competitive advantage by responding to these consumer-driven trends.

“The global pandemic has really made health the primary focus for many consumers,” said Anita Srivastava, Ph.D., Certified Food Scientist and Senior Technical Service Manager – Bakery, Kemin Food Technologies – North America. “We are seeing many consumers shift to healthier ingredients and cleaner labels, and when it comes to foods such as tortillas, today’s consumers are looking for varieties that fit their lifestyles. They may want low-carb/high-fiber, gluten-free or clean-label tortillas—one of their favorite foods. This challenges manufacturers to use non-traditional tortilla bases made with grain-free alternative ingredients such as chickpeas, cauliflower and spinach. Whether the tortillas are traditional or trending, Kemin is here to help our customers create a product that stays soft, moist and pliable throughout its shelf life using label-friendly ingredients.”

The Kemin tortilla webinar, designed to help manufacturers see how all the ingredients in a tortilla work together, offers tortilla manufacturers several key takeaways, including:

•             Overview of tortilla label claims

•             Market opportunities for better-for-you tortillas

•             Healthy ingredients to consider when developing new tortilla products

•             Convenient solutions to make tortillas healthier without diminishing product quality or shelf life

“Kemin offers a range of drop-in tortilla solutions that contains blends of several functional ingredients and enzymes. These easy-to-use solutions improve texture and quality to help create a great tasting and performing tortilla,” said Srivastava. “Our enzyme and gum blends help reduce the rate of staling that naturally occurs over time due to moisture loss or starch retrogradation. Kemin ingredients also help minimize staling to produce a softer, moister product with improved flexibility and no breaking or drying. Tortilla products with our ingredients are shelf stable for longer, resulting in lower wastage and improved distribution.”

From lab bench to store shelf, the Kemin team understands tortilla formulation, shelf life and operational challenges. Kemin helps protect tortilla brands and assists in accelerating their new products’ speed to market.

“Our team can help manufacturers solve formulation challenges—from the simple to the complex—to ensure their tortilla products remain soft and fresh for longer so consumers can enjoy them at every stage of shelf life,” said Srivastava.

Access the “Translating Trends to Tortilla Formulation” webinar free of charge.

About Kemin Industries
Kemin Industries (www.kemin.com) is a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services. The company supplies over 500 specialty ingredients for human and animal health and nutrition, pet food, aquaculture, nutraceutical, food technologies, crop technologies, textile, biofuel and animal vaccine industries.

For over half a century, Kemin has been dedicated to using applied science to address industry challenges and offer product solutions to customers in more than 120 countries. Kemin provides ingredients to feed a growing population with its commitment to the quality, safety and efficacy of food, feed and health-related products.

Established in 1961, Kemin is a privately held, family-owned-and-operated company with more than 3,000 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Italy, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa and the United States.