Recommended Flavors for Masking Valerian Extract in Supplement Powder

Question

Please recommend flavors that can help mask the odor and taste of Valerian Extract in this drinkable supplement powder formulation.

Ingredients:

Magnesium Glycinate Powder: 500mg
L-Glycine: 450mg
Valerian Extract 10% Flavone: 450mg
Lemon balm: 300mg
Anti Caking agent
Maltodextrin: 6.43g
(Total powder ~52g per cap with V-Cap 3 caps, to be mixed with 150ml water)

This is for a food-grade powder product. I would like suggestions for flavors that are suitable for food products and effective at covering the specific smell and taste of Valerian extract.

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

To effectively mask the strong, pungent odor (often described as earthy or like "sweaty socks") and the bitter taste of Valerian Extract in your supplement powder formula, it is recommended to use high-intensity, food-grade flavors. Since your formula already contains Lemon Balm, citrus or berry profiles are the most effective choices.

For a powder-based supplement, using Water Soluble Powder flavors is ideal as they mix uniformly with other dry ingredients and offer better stability.

Recommended Flavor Profiles:

Berry Flavors (Best for Masking Earthy Notes):
Berry scents are complex and strong enough to distract the senses from the herbal smell of Valerian.
- Fresh Blueberry Extract Flavor (Water Soluble Powder): A deep, sweet aroma that is highly effective at covering pungent herbal extracts.
- Fresh Strawberry Flavor (Water Soluble Powder): Provides a bright, familiar sweetness that improves the overall palatability.
Citrus Flavors (Synergistic with Lemon Balm):
Since you already have Lemon Balm, these flavors will complement the existing profile while providing a refreshing "clean" taste that cuts through bitterness.
- Fresh Lemon Extract Flavor (Water Soluble Powder): Enhances the lemon profile and provides a sharp freshness.
- Fresh Orange Flavor (Water Soluble Powder): The sweet-tart nature of orange is excellent for masking the metallic or bitter notes of Magnesium Glycinate and Valerian.
Sweeteners (Essential for Bitterness):
Flavor alone cannot fully hide bitterness; a high-intensity sweetener is required.
- Sucralose: A clean-tasting, zero-calorie sweetener that is stable in powder mixes and effectively neutralizes bitter aftertastes.

Formulation Advice:

Usage Level: Start with 0.1% to 0.5% of the total powder weight and adjust based on taste tests.
Acidity: Adding a small amount of Citric Acid (Food Grade) can help "pop" the fruit flavors and further suppress the perception of bitterness.
Homogeneity: Ensure thorough mixing of the flavors and sweeteners with the Maltodextrin to prevent "hot spots" of flavor.