Butterscotch Flavor Emulsion for High Heat Applications

A flavor emulsion is a water-based flavor system in which oil-soluble aromatic compounds are dispersed and stabilized throughout a liquid base — typically using gum acacia (also known as gum arabic) as the stabilizing agent. The result is a flavor format that stays evenly distributed in aqueous products rather than separating out the way a straight oil would. This makes emulsions particularly well-suited for products that are water-based, go through heat processing, or experience significant agitation during manufacturing.

Each format has a different strength profile depending on the application.

Compared to alcohol-based extracts, emulsions are alcohol-free and significantly more stable in heated aqueous systems. Extracts can produce a cleaner, clearer result in cold applications, but their more volatile character makes them less reliable when heat or prolonged processing is involved.

Compared to dextrose-based concentrates, emulsions generally offer better stability in water-based systems and better heat tolerance. Concentrates can cloud beverages and may be less stable under heat depending on how they're formulated.

Compared to straight flavor oils, emulsions are the better choice in water-based systems and confections like gummies, while oils are the stronger option in fat-dominant matrices such as chocolate, ganache, or oil-based products where they disperse naturally.

Emulsions are the right choice when your product is water-based and involves heat, cooking, or extended processing. They perform especially well in hot-pack syrups, cooked candy and gummy bases, puddings, and dairy applications where you need flavor to stay stable and evenly distributed through the entire process — including after cooking. If flavor retention post-heat is a priority and your system is aqueous rather than fat-based, an emulsion is generally your strongest option.

For potent emulsions, a starting window of 0.2–0.5% by weight is a reasonable place to begin. More broadly, usage rates typically fall between 0.25% and 1.0% depending on the flavor intensity and the product matrix, with some applications going as high as approximately 3% in systems that require it. Because emulsions vary in potency and every product matrix is different, bench testing across a range of doses — and validating through your full thermal and shear process — is essential before landing on a final usage rate.