The problem: A brief that seems simple but isn’t
The brief was clear, but no one else could do it.
A big baking group came to us with what looked like a simple request. They needed a very specific flavour to be made: one that had a delicate profile, worked in a baked base, and fit with how they made things. Not too hard, right?
No.
Two other suppliers had already made an attempt. Neither of them were able to deliver a match. The first supplier’s flavour fell apart completely when it was baked. What tasted great in the raw dough became bland and fake after baking. The second one tasted more like what we wanted, but it required minimum orders of 1,000 kg or more, which made testing impossible for business.
The real challenge wasn’t just technical; it was practical. This wasn’t a big multinational company with unlimited research and development budgets. They needed a flavour system that worked in terms of technology, business, and logistics.
Their product development manager told us, “We were beginning to think that the flavour profile we wanted was impossible to get in a baked application.” “People kept telling us to give in on taste, performance, or order amounts.” We didn’t want to give in.
After that, they called Sensate.
Our answer: science and practicality come together
We began with the formulation challenge, looking into their base composition and how they bake it. But we didn’t just figure out what they needed; we also figured out what was holding them back.
The technical answer:
Our food scientists and flavorists used our database of over 2,000 tested flavour systems to make a unique heat-stable profile. We knew what their problem was: they needed to make a delicate flavour that could survive baking at 200°C while still tasting and smelling great.
What we gave them: A layered flavour system that worked perfectly, with base notes that could handle heat, controlled aroma release, and that perfect first bite. All of this comes from our Ballarat facility, which is certified by BRCGS, and we have a minimum order of 25 kg.
But being technically successful didn’t mean anything if it couldn’t be sold.
The final straw? We did it with our usual 25kg minimum order, which they could afford to test. No 1,000kg commitments and no betting on untested formulas.
“Sensate got something that the other suppliers didn’t,” their production manager said.”They didn’t just fix our technical issue; they also fixed our business issue. Half of the challenge was getting the taste right. The other half was getting it in amounts that made sense for business.
The results: Success that keeps growing
They started. It worked. The product tasted just like they wanted it to, worked perfectly in production, and connected with customers just like they wanted it to.
The immediate effect:
- Perfect flavour match – consumer testing showed that the product had the exact profile they had in mind
- Flawless production performance – no batches were lost due to flavour degradation or inconsistency
- Cost-effective scaling – able to go from 25kg trials to 200kg+ production runs without any problems
- Accelerated time-to-market – launched 6 weeks ahead of schedule
The partnership continues:
Now we send out the flavour every month, and the number of orders has grown by 400% since the product first came out and became popular in stores. But more importantly, they’ve already told us about the next idea.
That’s the real sign of success. They didn’t just need help with one problem; they found a partner who could help with problems that other people couldn’t.
How Sensate’s Flavours Stay Hot
Proven baking skills
Our flavour systems are made to work in real baking situations, like ovens that are 200°C, different levels of moisture, and longer heating times. We make flavours that work even when heat destroys other flavours.
Quality of Australian manufacturing
Our BRCGS-certified facility in Ballarat makes sure that every batch is the same high quality. Producing goods locally means a steady supply and steady performance.
Ordering that makes sense: 25 kg minimum for powders and 5 L minimum for liquids. Try it out without making big commitments, and grow at your own pace.
Wide range of flavours
There are more than 2,000 tested flavour and colour systems that you can try out. Vanilla, fruit, and savoury flavours that don’t change when heated – whatever your baking needs.
When standard solutions don’t work, here’s the bigger picture:
This project is the kind of hard work that sets real technical partners apart from ingredient suppliers.
Standard suppliers’ approach:
- Offer existing formulations that might be “close enough”
- Set high minimums that make testing impossible
- Create in a vacuum and then hope it works in real life
Sensate partnership approach:
- Begin by getting a full picture of the production environment
- Create a custom solution for each set of conditions and limitations
- Make it possible to test and scale at every stage without breaking the bank
We didn’t just match a taste. We gave you something no one else could: the taste and the freedom to do what you want with it.
The technical challenge: Flavours that don’t change when they get hot
This was especially hard for these reasons:
Volatile compounds that make taste experiences more complex are often used to make delicate flavour profiles. But baking needs flavours that won’t fade in ovens that are 200°C. Most of the time, these requirements are at odds with each other.
Sensate’s solution:
- Heat-stable flavour systems that can handle very high baking temperatures
- Controlled aroma release that makes sure the taste and smell are just right when it counts
- Flexible minimums that let you order 25kg at a time to keep testing costs down
This is the kind of problem-solving that comes from working with Australian food ingredients for more than 30 years and having access to more than 2,000 tested flavour and colour systems that can be sampled right away.
Are you ready to break your code?
Every food maker has that one problem that no other supplier could solve. The taste that needs to be just right. The application that needs a certain level of performance. The business rules that make standard solutions impossible.
If your business needs: – Flavours that can handle high heat and stay stable – Custom flavour solutions that other companies have said are impossible – Minimums that are easy to change so you can test and grow your business without spending a lot of money – Reliable Australian supply with consistent quality
Sensate’s knowledge of flavours solves these problems.
We have more than 2,000 verified flavour and colour systems, are BRCGS-certified, and have been in business for more than 30 years. We make flavours that work under pressure.
The next step is to tell us about your flavour problem. Let’s see what other people couldn’t figure out.
