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Natural intensity of flavor, color and aroma. The use of oleoresins and plant extracts in the modern food industry
Contact person
Damian Pazia
Sales & Product Manager
IMPAG Chemicals Poland Sp. z o.o.
Short ingredient lists, clean label declarations (free from E-numbers), and 100% natural origin of raw materials are key requirements placed on food manufacturers today. How can these expectations be reconciled with maintaining repeatability, high sensory intensity and technological stability in the final product?
The answer lies in condensed, natural plant extracts - including oleoresins, essential oils, and natural flavorings. At IMPAG, we continuously expand our portfolio of flavor and coloring solutions through partnerships with leading global manufacturers. Thanks to our collaboration with our supplier Rüther Gewürze GmbH we provide the Polish food industry with the quality raw materials and spice extracts.
What are oleoresins and how are they produced?
Oleoresins are multi-component, natural coloring and flavoring extracts obtained from specific plant parts: seeds, roots, leaves, or fruits. The name originates from a combination of the terms oleo (the essential oil fraction responsible for aroma) and resin (the resinous-wax fraction serving as the carrier of flavor and color).
Their extraction process relies on advanced methods (including eco-friendly solvents, steam distillation, or supercritical CO2). According to Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 on flavorings, oleoresins are classified as natural spice extracts (e.g., "paprika extract") and declared as 100% natural products derived from plant material.
Technological advantages of oleoresins
Replacing traditional, dried, and powdered spices with liquid and microencapsulated extracts delivers numerous technological and economic benefits:
- Standardization and quality repeatability: No fluctuations in flavor intensity, color, or active ingredient content between individual batches of raw material.
- Microbiological purity: Extracts are free from biological contaminants that frequently accompany raw whole or ground spices.
- Optimization of logistics and storage: High ingredient concentration significantly reduces required warehouse space and transportation costs.
- Application flexibility: Availability in oil and water-soluble versions facilitates stable dispersion across diverse food matrices.
Rüther Gewürze GmbH
Based in Menden, Germany, Rüther Gewürze GmbH has specialized for over 30 years in the production, custom tailored formulation, and further processing of oleoresins, essential oils, spice extracts, flavorings, and colorants for the food industry.
Comprehensive solutions in the IMPAG offer
As part of our range, we provide access to the complete spectrum of Rüther manufacturing products, tailored to diverse process requirements.
These products find application in meat, fish, and vegan dishes, dairy products, bakery and confectionery, sauces and soups, snacks, beverages, and BBQ marinades - available in both conventional and organic (BIO) versions.
| Category | Form | Example of applications / Description |
|---|---|---|
Oleoresins | Oil/water-soluble | Extracts from over 50 spices (paprika, pepper, turmeric, capsicum, cardamom, garlic, etc.), with customizable color, flavor strength, and consistency |
Essential oils | Oil-soluble | Over 60 types - citrus, herbal, spicy, coniferous; steam distillation or cold pressing |
Ready-to-use spice extracts | Oil-based | For pizza/burgers, meat and fish dishes, pasta, vegetables, BBQ marinades, dips, and toppings |
Encapsulated oils and oleoresins | Microcapsules | Protection against oxidation, increased thermal stability for applications requiring heat treatment |
Oleoresin compounds | Powder/liquid | Ready-to-use flavor blends: BBQ, curry, pizza, kebab, gyros, steak, honey mustard, etc. |
Flavorings (Flavours) | Powder/liquid | Meat, fish, cheese (including vegan variants), bakery and confectionery, herbal-spicy, beverages, smoke |
Colorants | Water/oil-soluble | Natural (E100–E163) and synthetic (E102–E155), as well as natural coloring foodstuffs (beetroot, aronia, spirulina, etc.) |
Organic products (Bio) | BIO certified | Organic oleoresins, essential oils, and flavorings produced without chemicals, certified organic |
Technological support
We invite you to contact our Food department to order samples or request a technical consultation. We will gladly assist you in selecting the right extracts and optimizing their dosage for your specific production application.
