Back We at Watkins are constantly looking for ways to improve our already superior product line, and we’ve really hit on a winner with our new Liquid Spices!
These concentrated flavored oils have always been a big hit; they combine the convenience of dried herbs and aromatics with a fresh flavor that’s simply not possible with the dried product. But our new formulations have raised the level of flavor to a new height that simply blew away our test panel! Here’s what’s new:
• Grapeseed Oil
For starters, we replaced the oil base in our Liquid Spices with pure grapeseed oil. This is an improvement in two important ways:
First, the former oil base was partially hydrogenated soybean oil. With soybean oil, the hydrogenation was important because it prolonged the shelf life of the product. Although hydrogenated vegetable oils were once thought to be just as heart-healthy as pure vegetable oils, recent concerns over the similarity between hydrogenated oils and saturated fats have prompted us to look for a more heart-healthy alternative.
We only needed to look as far as our own grapeseed oil. Not only are grapeseed oil’s health benefits well-documented, but because it contains such a high level of antioxidants, it is highly resistant to rancidity, and therefore has a long shelf life without the need for hydrogenation or a preservative system.
Another benefit of grapeseed oil is that it is a highly-efficient flavor carrier. Simply put, grapeseed oil will not mask or dull flavors like other oils. Olive oil has a wonderful flavor, but is notorious for hiding subtle seasonings. Even “neutral” oils like corn and canola have a tendency to dull certain flavors. However, when carried on a base of grapeseed oil, every little nuance of a seasoning shines through as though it were eaten alone. Clearly, the use of grapeseed oil represents a huge leap in the quality of these liquid seasonings.
• Essential Flavoring Oils
Some of our Liquid Spices used substances called oleoresins as their flavoring components. Now, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with oleoresins; they are pure, natural, and extracted directly from the plant, giving the product a wonderful flavor. In fact, they are oils, and were declared on the label as such (for example, “basil oil”). However, the oleoresin contains other plant components such as the natural pigments which give it color and are simply not as intense as the pure essential oils which we now use exclusively.
Most of the Liquid Spices already use the essential oil as their flavoring (Garlic and Onion, for example); others (like Basil) contained the oleoresin. Although the Basil Liquid Spice no longer has the deep green color it once had, the leap in flavor intensity is dramatic. And the use of grapeseed oil has resulted in a vast improvement to the entire line.
The only other change in formulation was to the Ginger-Garlic Liquid Spice. We felt that the flavor could be better balanced, needing a bit less garlic and more ginger. Having adjusted the flavor level, then softening it with a touch of sesame oil, we achieved a classic balance typical of fine Chinese cuisine.
These improvements have resulted in a bit of a price increase (due primarily to the expense of the grapeseed oil), but we think you’ll be as thrilled with the results as we are. In fact, you may find yourself using less due to the new flavor intensity and find that a bottle will last considerably longer. Most importantly, the new Liquid Spices reflect our company-wide dedication not only to health and wellness—as evidenced by the ingredient statement on the label—but also to producing the very finest product possible for you and your customers.
You’ll find the new Liquid Spices in the 1999 Master Catalog.
© Copyright 1999 The Rising Stars Team
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