The Complete Culinary Guide to FlavourArt Flavour Concentrates
- Taste Nest

- Dec 10
- 13 min read

Since 2006, FlavourArt (FA) has been crafting some of the world's most sophisticated flavour concentrates from their facility near Milan, Italy. With over 1,900 proprietary formulations, 950 different ingredients, and a production capacity of 600 tons annually, FlavourArt represents the pinnacle of European flavouring craftsmanship.
What sets FlavourArt apart in the culinary world isn't just their Italian heritage—it's their philosophy of authenticity. While many manufacturers create candy-style or overly sweet flavours, FlavourArt focuses on replicating natural taste profiles with scientific precision. When you taste FA Fuji Apple, you're tasting a fresh apple. When you use FA Caramel, you're experiencing real dulce de leche. This commitment to realism makes FlavourArt the preferred choice for professional pastry chefs, artisan beverage creators, and serious home cooks across 40 countries.
Why Choose FlavourArt for Culinary Applications?
✅ Exceptional Concentration – 3-5x stronger than traditional extracts✅ Natural Taste Profiles – Authentic, not candy-like✅ Clean Ingredient Lists – Many formulations are DA/AP free✅ Heat Stability – Withstands baking temperatures up to 200°C✅ Precision Usage – Most flavours work at 1-3% (very consistent)✅ European Quality Standards – Made in Italy with rigorous controls✅ Versatile Applications – Baking, beverages, ice cream, confections, sauces
🎯 Understanding FlavourArt: Key Characteristics
The FA Difference: Concentration & Subtlety
FlavourArt concentrates are significantly more potent than American brands like TFA or Capella. Where you might use 5-8% of TFA in a recipe, you'll typically use 1-3% of FlavourArt to achieve the same intensity. This concentration means:
Cost-Effectiveness: A 10ml bottle of FA can flavour the same amount as 30-50ml of other brandsLess is More: Over-flavouring with FA leads to muted or off-tastesSubtlety First: FA excels at layered, complex flavours rather than bold single notesMixing Mastery: FA flavours blend exceptionally well together
Solubility & Food Applications
All FlavourArt concentrates discussed here are water-soluble (propylene glycol base), making them ideal for:
🎂 Baking: Cakes, cookies, muffins, breads, pastries
🍦 Frozen Desserts: Ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, sorbets
🥤 Beverages: Cocktails, mocktails, sodas, protein shakes, coffee drinks
🍬 Confections: Frostings, ganache (water-based), syrups, glazes
🍝 Savory Cooking: Sauces, marinades, dressings (select flavours)
🍰 The Essential Bakery & Dessert Collection
🍪 Cookie (Biscotto) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taste Profile: The scent and flavour of freshly baked butter cookies—warm, slightly sweet, with authentic baked-dough notes and subtle vanilla undertones. Think Italian butter biscotti or shortbread.
Concentration: Medium-Strong
Typical Usage: 1-3%
Average Recipe Usage: 1.35%
Best For:
Cookie and biscuit recipes
Bakery-style cakes and cupcakes
Adding "baked goods" depth to desserts
Ice cream with cookie flavour
Crumble toppings
Culinary Applications:
In Baking (2-3%):
Add 2.5% to sugar cookie dough for enhanced butter cookie flavour
Mix 2% into vanilla cake batter for "cake batter" depth
Use 1.5% in muffin recipes for bakery-fresh taste
In Ice Cream (1.5-2.5%):
Combine 2% Cookie + 1% Fresh Cream for cookies & cream base
Mix with fruit flavours for fruit cookie combinations
Blending Tips:Cookie pairs beautifully with Meringue (adds sweetness), Fresh Cream (adds moisture), and caramel or vanilla flavours. For lighter, sweeter cookies, try: 1.5% Cookie + 0.75% Meringue + 0.25% Fresh Cream.
Pros: Authentic baked flavour, versatile, heat-stable
Cons: Can taste slightly dry on its own (layer with creams)
🍮 Vienna Cream ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taste Profile: An exotic, slightly meringue-like cream with notes of vanilla, butter, and subtle marshmallow. This isn't a heavy dairy cream—it's lighter, sweeter, with an almost ethereal quality.
Concentration: Medium
Typical Usage: 1-3%
Average Recipe Usage: 1.19%
Suggested by Manufacturer: 2-3%
Chemistry: Contains Furaneol (natural strawberry/caramel compound) and Vanillin
Free From: Diacetyl, Acetoin, Acetyl Propionyl (0 PPM)
Best For:
Enriching fruit desserts and confections
Adding body to frostings
Ice cream bases
Smoothing out bakery recipes
Meringue-style desserts
Culinary Applications:
In Baking (2-3%):
Add 2.5% to white cake for a subtle cream filling effect
Mix 2% into fruit tart fillings for richness
Use 1.5% in macarons for authentic Viennese flavour
In Frostings (2-4%):
Combine 3% Vienna Cream with powdered sugar for fluffy frosting base
Mix with fruit flavours for exotic fruit cream frosting
In Beverages (1-2%):
Add 1.5% to fruit smoothies for creamy body
Use 1% in coffee drinks for sweet cream addition
Blending Tips:Vienna Cream is the perfect "smoothing" agent. It rounds out sharp fruits (especially berries), adds mouthfeel to light recipes, and creates that "professional bakery" quality. Pairs exceptionally with strawberry, raspberry, lemon, and all bakery flavours.
Pros: Unique flavour profile, versatile, adds elegance to any recipe, completely clean (no DA/AP)Cons: Can be overwhelming above 4%, subtle enough that beginners might not appreciate it initially
🥛 Fresh Cream (Cream Fresh) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taste Profile: Pure, sweet dairy cream—like unsweetened whipped cream or the cream layer on top of fresh milk. Clean, simple, authentic.
Concentration: Light-Medium
Typical Usage: 1-3%
Average Recipe Usage: 1.17%
Best For:
Adding creaminess without changing core flavour
Fruit cream combinations
Smoothing harsh or dry flavours
Cream-based desserts
Moistening bakery recipes
Culinary Applications:
In Baking (1-2%):
Add 1.5% to cakes for moist, tender crumb
Mix 1% into cookie dough for softer texture
Use 2% in cream-filled pastries
In Desserts (1.5-3%):
Combine 2% Fresh Cream + 2% any fruit for fruit & cream dessert
Use 2.5% in panna cotta or cream-based puddings
Add 1.5% to cheesecake for extra creaminess
In Beverages (0.5-2%):
Add 1% to fruit smoothies
Use 1.5% in cream-based cocktails or coffee drinks
Blending Formula:Equal parts Fresh Cream + Meringue create a sweetened whipped cream effect. This combination "moistens" dry-tasting flavours and adds gentle sweetness. Try: 1.5% Fresh Cream + 1.5% Meringue as a base for any fruit recipe.
Pros: Clean dairy taste, very versatile, works in almost any recipe, affordable
Cons: Very subtle on its own, needs other flavours to shine
🍮 Custard (Regular & Premium) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taste Profile: Authentic egg custard—creamy, vanilla-forward, with the characteristic eggy richness of real custard. Not overly sweet.
Concentration: Medium
Typical Usage:
Regular Custard: 1.5-3%
Custard Premium: 2-3.5%
Average Recipe Usage:
Regular: 1.86%
Premium: 2.16%
Best For:
Custard tarts and cream puffs
Adding richness to cakes and pastries
Layering with fruit flavours
Cream fillings
Crème brûlée and custard desserts
Culinary Applications:
In Baking (2-3%):
Use 2.5% in vanilla cake for custard-style depth
Add 2% to pastry cream filling
Mix 3% into bread pudding
In Desserts (2-4%):
Create authentic crème brûlée base at 3.5%
Make custard tart filling at 3%
Use 2.5% in trifle layers
Blending Tips:FA Custard works beautifully with caramel, vanilla, and fruit flavours. For authentic "pastry cream," combine 2% Custard Premium + 1% Vienna Cream + 0.5% Vanilla Bourbon.
Pros: Authentic eggy custard taste, versatile, professional results
Cons: Can become slightly "eggy" above 4%, benefits from steeping 3-7 days
🍥 Meringue ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taste Profile: Light, airy, sweet meringue with notes of vanilla and sugar—like crisp Italian meringue cookies that melt in your mouth.
Concentration: Light-Medium
Typical Usage: 0.5-3%
Average Recipe Usage: 1.13%
Unique Property: Functions both as a flavour AND as a natural sweetener
Best For:
Sweetening fruit recipes naturally
Adding meringue flavour to pavlovas and meringue desserts
Lightening heavy cream bases
Creating meringue cookies and macarons
Subtle sweetness in teas and beverages
Culinary Applications:
As a Sweetener (0.5-2%):
Add 0.5-1% to fruit recipes for sugar-sprinkled taste
Use 1% in tart fruits like lemon or cranberry to balance acidity
Mix 0.75% into tea-based beverages for gentle sweetness
As a Flavour (2-4%):
Create meringue cookies at 3-4% solo
Make pavlova base at 3%
Use 2% in macaron recipes
Famous Combinations:
Strawberry Meringue: 3% FA Strawberry + 2% Meringue (Italian dessert classic)
Lemon Meringue: 2.5% FA Lemon Sicily + 2% Meringue + 1.5% Cookie (lemon meringue pie!)
Fruit Meringue Base: Equal parts Meringue + Fresh Cream for any fruit
Blending Tips
Meringue is one of FA's most versatile flavours. At low percentages (0.5-1%), it adds sweetness without distinct meringue taste—perfect for brightening fruit flavours. At higher percentages (2-4%), it delivers authentic crispy meringue cookie flavour.
Pros: Dual-purpose (sweetener + flavour), authentic taste, works with everything
Cons: Can become too sweet above 4%, very subtle at low percentages
🍮 Caramel (Carmel) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taste Profile: Soft, sweet caramel like the center of a Rolo or Mars bar—buttery, smooth, not burnt. This is "dulce de leche" style caramel, not dark caramel.
Concentration: Medium
Typical Usage: 0.5-2%
Average Recipe Usage: 1.13%
Character: Prefers to be a supporting flavour rather than the star—it enriches rather than dominates
Best For:
Adding caramel undertones to desserts
Enriching custards and creams
Caramel sauce and toppings
Dulce de leche recipes
Layering with bakery and coffee flavours
Culinary Applications:
In Baking (1-2%):
Add 1.5% to vanilla cake for subtle caramel depth
Use 1% in blondies and butterscotch desserts
Mix 2% into bread pudding for caramel notes
In Sauces (2-3%):
Create caramel sauce at 2.5-3%
Make caramel syrup for coffee at 2%
Use 2% in dulce de leche applications
In Desserts (1-2.5%):
Add 1% to custard for caramel custard
Use 1.5% in flan or crème caramel
Mix 2% into caramel ice cream base
Blending Formula for Caramel Custard:
2.5% FA Custard Premium
1.5% FA Caramel
1% FA Vienna Cream
(Steep 1 week for best results)
Pros: Authentic soft caramel taste, blends beautifully, not overwhelming
Cons: Won't give you "caramel candy" intensity, needs other flavours to truly shine
🍎 The Premier Fruit Collection
🍎 Apple (Fuji) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taste Profile: Crisp, fresh Fuji apple—sweet, juicy, slightly tart, exactly like biting into the real fruit. This is between red and green apple in character.
Concentration: Medium-Strong
Typical Usage: 1.5-4%
Average Recipe Usage: 2.00%
Suggested by Manufacturer: 2-3%
Chemistry: Contains natural Furaneol and Acetaldehyde for authentic apple notes
Free From: Diacetyl, Acetoin, Acetyl Propionyl (0 PPM)
Best For:
Apple pies and tarts
Apple muffins and cakes
Apple cider and beverages
Fruit salads and compotes
Apple sauce and cooking applications
Culinary Applications:
In Baking (2-3%):
Use 2.5% in apple pie filling
Add 2% to apple cinnamon muffins
Mix 3% into apple crumble topping
In Beverages (1.5-3%):
Create apple cider at 2.5%
Make apple juice/smoothies at 2%
Use 1.5% in cocktails for apple notes
In Desserts (2-4%):
Make apple compote at 3%
Create apple sorbet at 2.5%
Use 2% in apple custard tart
Blending Formulas:
Apple Pie:
3% FA Fuji Apple
1.5% FA Cookie
1% FA Caramel
0.5% FA Cinnamon Ceylon
Caramel Apple:
3% FA Fuji Apple
2% FA Caramel
1% FA Fresh Cream
0.5% FA Butter
Pros: One of FA's best fruit flavours, incredibly realistic, versatile, heat-stable
Cons: Can be strong/punchy—some find 3%+ overwhelming, may need balancing with creams
🍓 Strawberry (Ripe & Red Touch) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Note: FA offers multiple strawberry variants. "Strawberry" (standard) is their primary offering, with "Red Touch" being a candy-style version.
Taste Profile: Fresh, ripe strawberry with natural sweetness—realistic fruit taste without artificial candy notes.
Concentration: Medium
Typical Usage: 2-4%
Best For:
Strawberry cakes and desserts
Fruit beverages and smoothies
Strawberry ice cream
Fruit sauces and compotes
Culinary Applications:
In Baking (2.5-4%):
Use 3% in strawberry cake
Add 2.5% to strawberry muffins
Mix 3.5% into strawberry shortcake
In Desserts (2-4%):
Create strawberry mousse at 3%
Make strawberry cheesecake topping at 3.5%
Use 2.5% in strawberry panna cotta
Blending Formula for Strawberry Shortcake:
3.5% FA Strawberry
2% FA Vienna Cream
1% FA Cookie
1% FA Meringue
🌲 Forest Fruit Mix (Forrest Mix) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taste Profile: A medley of wild forest berries—blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, and currant notes all blended together. Dark, slightly tart, complex berry flavour.
Concentration: Medium-Strong
Typical Usage: 2-4%
Average Recipe Usage: 2.89%
Best For:
Mixed berry desserts
Berry compotes and jams
Berry smoothies and beverages
Berry ice cream and sorbets
Fruit toppings and sauces
Culinary Applications:
In Baking (2.5-3.5%):
Use 3% in mixed berry muffins
Add 2.5% to berry crumble
Mix 3% into berry compote for pies
In Beverages (2-4%):
Create berry smoothies at 3%
Make berry-infused water at 1.5%
Use 4% in berry soda or juice
In Desserts (2.5-4%):
Make mixed berry sorbet at 3.5%
Create berry mousse at 3%
Use 2.5% in berry yogurt
Pros: Complex multi-berry flavour in one concentrate, authentic forest berry taste
Cons: Can't pick out individual berries (pro or con depending on application)
Buy Flavour Art Forest Fruit in Australia from TasteNest
☕ Beverages & Specialty Flavours
🍋 Lemon Sicily (Cold Pressed) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taste Profile: Bright, zingy limoncello-style lemon—intensely citrus with essential oil character. Fresh lemon peel and juice combined.
Concentration: Strong
Typical Usage: 1-3%
Character: Very zingy when fresh-mixed, mellows to softer lemon after a few hours/days
Best For:
Lemon desserts (tarts, cakes, cookies)
Lemon beverages and cocktails
Citrus marinades and dressings
Lemon sorbet and gelato
Culinary Applications:
In Baking (1.5-3%):
Use 2.5% in lemon pound cake
Add 2% to lemon cookies
Mix 3% into lemon tart filling
In Beverages (1-2%):
Create lemonade at 1.5-2%
Make lemon cocktails at 1%
Use 1.5% in iced tea
Blending Tips:
Can taste perfumy above 3%
Pairs beautifully with FA Cookie for lemon biscuits
Combine with Vienna Cream for lemon cream filling
Mix with Meringue for lemon meringue applications
Important Note: Like most citrus, this can fade slightly during high-heat baking. Add 0.5-1% extra for baked goods, or add some to frosting/glaze for maximum lemon impact.
☕ Coffee Espresso ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Taste Profile: Rich, dark espresso coffee—not sweet, authentic coffee shop espresso character with slight bitterness.
Concentration: Medium-Strong
Typical Usage: 1-3%
Best For:
Coffee cakes and tiramisu
Coffee ice cream and affogato
Mocha desserts
Coffee-flavored beverages
Culinary Applications:
In Baking (1.5-2.5%):
Use 2% in coffee cake
Add 2.5% to tiramisu layers
Mix 1.5% into mocha brownies
In Desserts (2-3%):
Create coffee ice cream at 2.5%
Make espresso panna cotta at 2%
Use 3% in coffee mousse
Blending Formula for Tiramisu:
2.5% FA Coffee Espresso
2% FA Custard Premium
1% FA Vienna Cream
0.5% FA Cocoa
🎨 Flavor Mixing Mastery: Creating Culinary Symphonies
Understanding FA's Mixing Philosophy
FlavourArt concentrates are designed to be layered, not used solo. While some can stand alone, the magic happens when you combine 3-5 flavours to create depth, complexity, and professional-level results.
🍰 Classic Recipe Formulas
Vanilla Custard Cake Base
2.5% FA Custard Premium
1.5% FA Vienna Cream
1% FA Vanilla Bourbon
0.5% FA Meringue
───────────────────
5.5% Total
Application: Use in cake batter, custard filling, or cream-based desserts
Strawberry Shortcake Perfection
3% FA Strawberry
2% FA Vienna Cream
1.5% FA Cookie
1% FA Meringue
0.5% FA Fresh Cream
───────────────────
8% Total
Application: In cake batter, or as layered dessert flavour profile
Apple Pie Supreme
3% FA Apple Fuji
1.5% FA Cookie (crust)
1% FA Caramel
0.75% FA Cinnamon Ceylon
0.5% FA Butter
───────────────────
6.75% Total
Application: Pie filling, apple desserts, or apple pastries
Lemon Meringue Tart
2.5% FA Lemon Sicily
2% FA Meringue
1.5% FA Cookie (tart shell)
1% FA Vienna Cream
───────────────────
7% Total
Application: Lemon tart filling, lemon cake, or lemon desserts
Cookies & Cream Ice Cream
2% FA Cookie
1.5% FA Vanilla Bourbon
1.5% FA Fresh Cream
1% FA Vienna Cream
───────────────────
6% Total
Application: Ice cream base, milkshakes, or cream desserts
📊 FA Usage Percentage Quick Reference Table
Flavor Category | Solo Usage | In Recipes | Notes |
Fruits (Apple, Strawberry) | 2-4% | 1.5-3% | Strong, realistic |
Creams (Fresh, Vienna) | 2-3% | 1-2.5% | Subtle, blending agents |
Bakery (Cookie, Custard) | 2-4% | 1-3% | Foundation flavours |
Sweeteners (Meringue) | 3-4% solo | 0.5-2% | Dual purpose |
Accents (Caramel, Vanilla) | 1-2% | 0.5-1.5% | Supporting roles |
Citrus (Lemon Sicily) | 2-3% | 1-2% | Can be perfumy high |
Coffee/Chocolate | 2-3% | 1-2% | Potent, use sparingly |
🌡️ Heat Stability & Baking Considerations
Temperature Performance
FlavourArt concentrates are heat-stable up to 200°C (392°F), making them excellent for most baking applications.
Baking Temperature Guide:
160-180°C (Standard cakes, cookies): Minimal flavour loss (5-10%)
180-200°C (High-temp baking): Moderate loss (10-20%)
Above 200°C: Significant loss—add extra or flavour after baking
Most Heat-Stable FA Flavours: ✅ Cookie✅ Caramel✅ Custard✅ Vienna Cream✅ Vanilla varieties✅ Apple Fuji✅ Forest Fruit
Heat-Sensitive FA Flavours (add 0.5-1% extra for baking): ⚠️ Lemon Sicily (citrus oils volatile)⚠️ Coffee Espresso (aromatics fade)⚠️ Delicate fruits
💡 Pro Tips for Working with FlavourArt
1. Start Low, Go Slow
FA concentrates are 3-5x stronger than American brands. Always start at the lower end of recommended ranges and increase if needed.
2. Embrace Steeping
Many FA flavours (especially custards, bakery, and complex blends) benefit from 3-7 days of steeping. Flavours meld, sharp notes soften, and complexity emerges.
3. Layer for Depth
Professional results come from layering 3-5 flavours:
1 main flavour (2-3%)
1-2 supporting flavours (1-2% each)
1-2 accent notes (0.5-1% each)
4. Use Creams as "Glue"
Fresh Cream and Vienna Cream bind other flavours together, smooth harsh notes, and add body to recipes.
5. Meringue is Your Friend
At 0.5-1%, Meringue sweetens without adding distinct flavour—perfect for brightening fruit recipes or balancing tart flavours.
6. Temperature Matters
Cold applications (ice cream, cold beverages) dull taste perception. Use 20-30% more flavouring than you would in baked goods.
7. Measure Precisely
Because FA is so concentrated, being off by even 0.5% can significantly impact results. Use accurate measuring tools (syringes or scales).
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Over-Flavouring
The Problem: Using 5-8% of FA when 2-3% is appropriate
Why It Fails: FA flavours can become muted, perfumy, or develop off-notes when overused
The Fix: Start at 2% maximum for any single FA flavour, 1% for accents
❌ Expecting Bold Intensity
The Problem: Thinking FA will give you "in-your-face" flavour like candy
Why It Fails: FA specializes in authentic, natural taste—not candy-style boldness
The Fix: If you want intensity, layer multiple FA flavours or use FA as a base and add accent flavours from bolder brands
❌ Testing Too Soon
The Problem: Judging recipes immediately after mixing
Why It Fails: Many FA flavours need time to develop (especially custards, bakery)
The Fix: Give recipes at least 24-48 hours, ideally 3-7 days for complex blends
❌ Using FA Like TFA/Capella
The Problem: Using percentage recommendations from other brands
Why It Fails: FA is 3-5x more concentrated
The Fix: Divide TFA percentages by 2-3 for FA equivalents
🔬 Safety & Quality Information
Certifications & Standards
✅ Made in Italy – European Union food safety standards
✅ GMP Certified – Good Manufacturing Practices
✅ ISO Certified – Quality management systems
✅ Food-Grade – Suitable for human consumption when diluted
✅ Many DA/AP Free – No diacetyl or acetyl propionyl in most flavours
Ingredient Transparency
FlavourArt provides detailed information about their flavour compositions, including:
Specific gravity
Appearance/color
Diacetyl content (when present)
Acetoin content
Acetyl Propionyl content
Base ingredients (Propylene Glycol)
Storage Recommendations
📦 Store in: Cool, dark place (15-25°C)🚫
Avoid: Direct sunlight, heat sources
⏰ Shelf Life: 2-3 years when properly stored
🔒 Keep: Tightly sealed to prevent oxidation
🛒 Where to Find FlavourArt Concentrates
Sources:
FlavourArt Official Store (Italy-based, ships worldwide)
Buy FlavourArt concentrates in Australia
📚 Further Resources & Recipe Databases
Online Communities & Recipe Sites
AllTheFlavors.com – Extensive recipe database with FA-specific recipes
Disclaimer
Important Notice: The information, recommendations, and usage percentages provided in this article represent TasteNest's views and experiences based on research, customer feedback, and our team's testing with FA flavour concentrates. Flavour perception is highly subjective and individual results may vary significantly based on personal taste preferences, recipe variations, environmental conditions, and application methods.
Always test in small batches first before committing to large-scale production. What works perfectly for one person's palate may require adjustment for another. We strongly recommend:
Starting with the lower end of suggested percentage ranges
Creating small test batches (10-50ml or 100g portions)
Keeping detailed notes of your exact measurements and results
Allowing appropriate steeping/resting time where applicable
Adjusting concentrations to suit your specific taste preferences
TasteNest accepts no responsibility for recipe outcomes, flavour preferences, or applications outside of recommended usage guidelines. All percentages and recommendations are suggestions only and should be adapted to your specific needs and requirements.
All FA products mentioned are food-grade, FEMA GRAS approved, and suitable for culinary applications including baking, candy making, beverage creation, and protein shake flavouring. Concentrates must be diluted before use and are not intended for direct consumption. Always follow safe food handling practices and local food safety regulations.




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