- A global leader in providing ingredients and solutions for healthier food and beverages has created a reduced sugar Karak recipe using innovative, plant-based sweetener solutions
- Visitors can try the Karak recipe for themselves at the Tate & Lyle stand at the Gulfood Manufacturing Show from 8-10 November
Dubai, UAE-: Tate & Lyle has unveiled a reduced sugar recipe for the UAE’s favourite drink – Karak Tea. The innovative recipe uses a 100% natural plant-based Stevia solution to achieve the same taste and level of sweetness as original high-sugar recipes, so Karak lovers can enjoy a cup without compromising on flavour.
The reduced sugar Karak recipe will be unveiled and available to try at Tate & Lyle’s stand at the Gulfood Manufacturing Show – E6-28 of Sheikh Rashid Hall 6, Dubai World Trade Centre, from 8-10 November.
The announcement comes shortly after the company launched its 30% Less challenge, inviting UAE residents to assess their daily sugar and calorie intake and reduce it by up to 30% to complement the 30 minutes of exercise they are doing as part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge 2022.
Karak, or as it is more commonly known across the region – ‘Karak Chai’, is a tea made using a blend of black tea leaves, milk, and spices, including cardamon, cinnamon and cloves, and to achieve its trademark sweetness – tablespoons of sugar. It has made headlines recently due to its high-sugar content, with professionals from the health sector raising concern about regular consumption given rising obesity rates in the UAE.
Dominique Floch, General Manager – Middle East, Africa, and Turkey at Tate & Lyle, commented: “Our mission is to make healthy foods and beverages tastier, and the reduced sugar Karak recipe is a testament to this commitment and the innovative ingredients and solutions we offer to our customers.
“Our brilliant team of food scientists turned around the recipe in less than 24 hours and it is remarkable. Our recipe doesn’t compromise on the incredible flavour that is the reason this beverage has transcended borders and become a cultural staple across the Middle East. This is our proposition in a nutshell, and we hope it demonstrates to the food and beverage industry that we can reduce sugar and calorie content so that consumers can continue to enjoy their favourite foods and beverages.”
Khaled Khatib, Ph.D., Head of Application and Technical Support – Middle East, Africa, and Turkey at Tate & Lyle, added: “When we work with a product as well-known as Karak, we have to ensure the flavour is just right while achieving the right target of 30% reduction in sugar. Luckily, at Tate & Lyle, we love a technical challenge! We’re excited to hear what people think of it. We are always on the lookout for new challenges, so we can’t wait to meet manufacturers looking for sugar and calorie reduction solutions in the region at the Gulfood Manufacturing Show and beyond.”
Visitors to Tate & Lyle’s stand at Gulfood Manufacturing can speak to experts about the innovative ingredients and solutions that add taste, mouthfeel, nutrition, and functionality to a wide range of food and beverages and enable manufacturers to offer healthier and tastier solutions to consumers.
Visitors to the booth can also participate in the ‘Stevia in the Dark’ challenge to sample unique prototypes such as muffins, smoothies, and juices – some with sugar, and some with Stevia to see if they can tell the difference.
