The Taste Podcast presents an engaging episode featuring our host Robert Strik and his guest Frank Hofman, a food engineer and product developer from Astra Sweets NV in Belgium. With a combined experience of 75 years, they delve into the intricate world of taste and technology. Frank's expertise lies in developing starch-moulded confectionery, with a focus on gelatin replacement, clean label products, and encapsulated ingredients.

The conversation explores challenges in the candy industry, particularly concerning animal-derived components like gelatin. Frank shares his efforts to create affordable, animal-free candies while addressing ethical and dietary concerns. They discuss the technical complexities of gelatin alternatives and efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of candy production.

Inspired by changing consumer preferences, Frank aims to develop inclusive and sustainable candy options. They discuss alternatives to gelatin and animal-free products, highlighting the importance of innovation and environmental considerations. The episode concludes with a call to stay updated on further insights and developments.

Overall, this Taste Podcast episode showcases the importance of adapting to market trends, meeting consumer demands, and embracing innovation in the food industry.

Guest: Frank Hofman

Want to know more?

Follow the links below

https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-hofman-01570714/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/astra-sweets/

https://www.astrasweets.com/productie/duurzaamheid/

Robert Strik

Passion for taste has a name, and that name is Robert Strik. His discoveries in the field of taste experience are legendary, with forty years of pioneering work in the food industry to prove it. His wealth of experience and boundless flow of taste and flavour ideas form the base stock of this podcast series.

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Robert Strik and Piet Brink have a long, shared history in the world of taste and flavour, as can be heard in this amusing episode of TheTastePodcast. As they serve up a course of flavour and taste anecdotes, both gentlemen clearly enjoy reminiscing about and sharing their flavour secrets. To the wider public, Piet Brink is known as the man who made thousands of ‘bitterballen’ (typical Dutch bar snacks) at the Holland Heineken House during the Sochi Winter Olympics. Consequently, he knows all about crispiness and croquettes. By all accounts, this episode is one to savour.

Guest: Piet Brink, specialist in croquettes and ‘bitterballen’ (popular Dutch bar snacks).

https://www.deondernemer.nl/actueel/kroketkoning-piet-brink-bitterballen-yeongchang~277572
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPml965lUwc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Uh9g3Ybh5U

Robert Strik
Passion for taste has a name, and that name is Robert Strik. His discoveries in the field of taste experience are legendary, with forty years of pioneering work in the food industry to prove it. His wealth of experience and boundless flow of taste and flavour ideas form the base stock of this podcast series.

for more updates follow us on LinkedIn

In this episode of TheTastePodcast, Merel Rijnen, food technologist and owner of Food Dynamics, sits down to chat with Robert Strik. Merel talks about her passion for food development and how she founded her company Food Dynamics. Once upon a time, Merel and Robert had intended to start a company together. They cast their minds back to that plan. Merel also gives listeners a glimpse into her creative process that she calls ‘the art of tinkering’. After all, developing new flavours is a process of trial and error, of trying, tasting, and starting again. The process doesn’t stop until you find the best flavour. Merel’s innovative and passionate approach is an inspiration to many.

Guest: Merel Rijnen, food technologist and owner of Food Dynamics

Follow Merel Rijnen on:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fooddynamics/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59N100A2Xl__B-JnaXklYw/featured?view_as=subscriber
https://www.instagram.com/food_dynamics_dongen/
https://www.food-dynamics.nl/

Robert Strik
Passion for taste has a name, and that name is Robert Strik. His discoveries in the field of taste experience are legendary, with forty years of pioneering work in the food industry to prove it. His wealth of experience and boundless flow of taste and flavour ideas form the base stock of this podcast series.

UK Narrator: Ewan Cameron

for more updates follow us on LinkedIn