Ingredients
Water is a substance and chemical compound made up of hydrogen and oxygen. It is clear, fluid, flavorless and odorless. Water is a necessity in nearly every aspect of life, including cooking, baking and hydrating the human body. Water can be served as a cold beverage, or at any temperature comfortable to the mouth and skin.
Sorbitol is an alcohol derived sugar with a lower glucose content. It is made via a reduction of glucose such as corn syrup and is composed of small white granules that look similar to sugar, but are whiter and a little powdery. The flavor is less sweet than sugar and has cooling taste. It is used to sweeten drinks and some commercial and prepackaged candies and desserts.
Cellulose gum is an additive used in drinks and foods to thicken and create a creamy texture without added fat, such as for bottled smoothies, yogurts, and more. Cellulose gum is also used to retain moisture levels in packaged food and stabilize them. The gum is made from the cell walls of plants, such as wood or cotton seeds. The ingredients undergo lab processes to turn them into an additive. The gum comes in white powder form and is odorless and flavorless.
Salt is a mineral composed mostly of sodium chloride. It is the main flavoring used in food and is naturally occurring in certain foods, such as cheese, beets, meat and celery, plus many others. Salt is white and has finer granules than sugar. Many commercial salts include iodide, while others exclude it. Most salts are white, while some are naturally pale pink with minerals. Salt brings out the flavor of something and can create a tangy mouthfeel, if used in excess.
Artificial flavorings are used in food production to enhance and add flavor to both sweet and savory items. They are made from a number of ingredients, including petroleum, paper and pulp. They are added to create artificial tastes such as raspberry, grape, almond and others. Artificial flavors may originally come in part from natural compounds, but are processed extensively. They usually come in liquid form and are clear or brown.
Natural flavors refer to any number of oils, distillations, oleoresins, protein hydrolysates or extracts made from plants including: barks, fruits, vegetables and herbs, or from animal sources. These sources undergo a number of different methods in order for the flavor to be obtained and made into use for human consumption. Natural flavors are used to add specific tastes to many packaged products such as drinks or snacks.
Caramel color is used in food production both sweet and savory to give the item a caramel-toned color. It is made by heating sugar corn syrup with different agents such as acids or alkalis. The caramel color has a thick, sticky and syrupy consistency. It is not used for flavor, but for appearance.
Xanthan gum is used in food production as a thickener, stabilizer, and binder. Made from a process of fermenting sugar, the xanthan gum has a very thin powdery quality that is a pale beige with a yeast-like smell and fairly neutral flavor. A little bit goes an extremely long way. Mixed with water this substance becomes slimy, exhibiting the binding, thickening, and stabilizing properties it is used for. Xanthan gum is also popular in gluten free carbohydrates as a binder and substitute for the gluten protein.
Vitamin C is derived from fruits and vegetables and is an important water soluble vitamin and essential nutrient. It is used as a preservative in food and drink and to enhance citrus flavor. Vitamin C for food production often comes in an off white, granulated powder form. It has a tart flavor, with a mouth feel that is similar to biting into a slice of lemon.
Sodium benzoate is an additive used to preserve food items and is commonly found in pickles, sauces, soda and a variety of bottled and canned items. This compound is white and both crystalline and powdery. Sodium benzoate is naturally occurring in tiny amounts in certain fruits and vegetables, but for general food preservation use it is lab made.
Potassium sorbate is a food additive, used to preserve a variety of items. It has no taste or smell and is made from potassium hydroxide and sorbic acid. This substance is composed of tiny white granules.
Phosphoric acid is a food additive used to mimic an acidic fruit-like flavor and is found in jams, beverages, cereal bars, and others. Phosphoric acid comes from the substance called phosphorus and is then lab-processed. The result is either in clear liquid form with a syrupy consistency or comes in the shape of tiny white balls much like round pillules. It tastes tangy.
