The banana revival
Banana has always had a broad and versatile appeal, but it’s re-emerging as a hero flavor, especially in beverage and dairy product innovation. This shift is partly driven by consumer demand for nostalgic comfort, linking flavors back to childhood memories and past positive experiences. Consumers also seek natural, familiar flavor profiles, but with a clean label. Brands and ingredient suppliers must prove how ‘natural’ their products are by highlighting processes that ensure authenticity with verifiable, traceable sourcing. The method of extraction and the origin of the raw material are now as crucial as the flavor itself.
Banana has strong tropical associations and is increasingly found in indulgent and functional beverages, driven by its natural sweetness and thick, creamy mouthfeel. Its nutritional benefits make it an excellent ingredient in functional beverages for health-conscious consumers as bananas are a rich source of potassium, fiber and vitamins.
Banana flavor profiles have become a staple in the dairy and plant-based industry, often present in yogurt, ice-cream, shakes and meal replacement beverages. Banana flavor can enhance RTDs, cocktails and other alcoholic alternatives, appealing to consumers seeking unique, refreshing and naturally sweet options. It is often paired with caramel, chocolate, vanilla or warming spices, particularly in drinks and baked goods.
The quest for true banana
Despite its widespread popularity, banana is a difficult profile to replicate authentically. The challenge lies in delivering a true-to-fruit sensory experience, and many banana flavors on the market can taste artificial or overpowering.
Consumers are increasingly seeking transparency in their food and beverage choices, highlighting the critical distinction between artificial flavoring and natural extract. "Banana flavor" often conjures up artificially-flavored confectionery, which has a very different taste to fresh banana. This perception largely stems from the primary chemical compound, isoamyl acetate, historically used in artificial banana flavoring.
Real bananas derive their flavor from a complex mix of many chemical compounds, not solely from isoamyl acetate. Brands are looking for clean-label ingredients that deliver true-to-fruit aroma and flavor while supporting claims like "natural" or "from the named source". They want to understand precisely where flavors originate, whether they are truly natural or merely legally classified as such, and what other ingredients were involved in the processing. The term "natural" itself is currently undergoing increasing scrutiny; simply labeling a product as natural is no longer sufficient, and brands must ensure that all flavor claims are clear and compliant.
Treatt’s Banana Treattarome® (9730)
Treatt, renowned for delivering high-quality, natural extracts and ingredients, has been perfecting the art of flavor ingredient creation since 1886. Our extensive portfolio encompasses over 3,000 products sourced from more than 90 countries worldwide.
Treatt’s Banana Treattarome® 9730 is a 100% natural, FTNF (From The Named Fruit), clean-label aqueous distillate, derived from botanical sources, specifically musa sapientum (banana) water. Our water-soluble distillates are highly concentrated, delivering authentic flavor profiles and impact at minimal dosages. This high concentration offers an intense, fruity, estery banana aroma and it enhances the sweetness perception, but without the added sugar. Our unique extraction method involves low-temperature, short-time distillation, ensuring authentic, delicate aromatic preservation.
Banana Treattarome® 9730 seamlessly integrates into a wide range of product formats. Its versatile applications include low and no-alcohol beverages, dark spirits, beer, and craft mixers, dairy and plant-based products. It can also be used to enhance other flavors such as caramel, chocolate and coffee.
Treatt's banana distillates have comprehensive labeling claims, including dioxane-free, PAH-free, naturally derived, colorants-free, allergen-free, kosher, halal and vegan. These certifications ensure regulatory confidence and provide full label transparency for brands, meeting the stringent demands of global markets and consumer expectations.
Sourced from trusted growers in Costa Rica and Florida, Treatt supports responsible farming and community development, reflecting our ongoing commitment to traceability and responsible sourcing.
Embrace the authentic banana trend with Treatt
Brands that successfully deliver a true-to-fruit banana experience are exceptionally well-positioned for significant market success. Treatt stands at the forefront of this movement, with our natural banana extracts and distillates providing flavorists with the pure, concentrated banana extract that can be used to create clean-label, high-impact products, which meet the demands for authenticity and purity.
Find out more about Banana ingredients in our Product Finder.
