Extend cake freshness for today’s cost-conscious consumer

At a time where economic uncertainties loom large, producer, retailers and consumers alike are seeking food and baked products that are financially sustainable. Now, more than ever, everyone is scrutinising their purchases, placing a premium on longevity without compromising on quality.

Capturing the essence of freshness

In this context, the demand for baked goods with an extended shelf life has become a paramount consideration for both cost-conscious consumers and retailers looking for cost-saving measures. Prolonged freshness of soft cakes has evolved from a preference to a strategic imperative in today’s cost-conscious environment.

At Bakels Sweden, we see an increased interest in innovative solutions for prolonged freshness of soft cakes. The goal is clear: extend the shelf life of cakes without compromising their softness, fine crumb structure and overall quality. It is also important that the freshness is perceived as genuine and natural. Furthermore, cake producers also place even higher demands on economical dosing of preservatives and low manufacturing costs.

Preservatives – a complex area

Shelf life of soft cakes is affected by several factors, making it a complex mission. It is, above all, about understanding how the starch in the cake changes at different stages and how time, temperature and water content affect aging (staling or retrogradation).

For example, when a freshly baked soft cake is cooled and stored, starch molecules can bind together and form larger structures, causing the cake to immediately start to harden. The goal is to maintain the texture and freshness of the cake, inhibit microbial growth, and prevent mould formation.

To achieve a product that feels fresh for a long time, knowledge is required in technical application development and the manufacturing process. It is something that Bakels Sweden has worked on for many decades, and Aromatic’s freshness solutions became market leaders early on.

Since then, Aromatic’s range has been an entry point to prolonged enjoyment and value for consumers, fostering satisfaction and loyalty.

It also means that fewer products are wasted because the cakes has become dry and crumbly. Soft cakes with longer best-before dates are less likely to be discarded prematurely, which means a cost saving for both the retailer and the consumer. It also contributes to reducing total food waste. The fact that we produce food that we do not use is a huge waste of resources and contributes to unnecessary environmental impact.

Longer shelf life strengthens the sustainability profile of producers and retailers and helps consumers make more informed choices. It also contributes to a reduced environmental impact from food production and consumption in general.

The right solution for the right application

The choice of shelf-life extender depends on several factors, such as type of application, climate and production conditions as well as desired shelf life, local regulations and market preferences.

Aromatic freshness solutions are liquid and have the advantage of more easily binding moisture, so the cake remains soft and moist. Thanks to a low pH level, shelf life can be extended significantly more effectively than with powder-based solutions.

Additionally, with Aromatic’s products, you can obtain a comprehensive solution for volume, softness and freshness. Many of our customers opt for a combination of emulsifier, cake improver and freshness preservation for the most optimal baking results.

If you require assistance in finding the correct combination of ingredients for your specific requirements, please feel free to reach out to our team of experienced application technicians and product developers.