Malt flavoring is most often derived from barley. Malt flavoring is typically a sweet, light flavor that can be added to ice creams, milk, puddings and many other sweet foods and beverages. Malt is, in its simplest terms, linked to the brewing of beer. However, the world of an actual malt flavor goes much farther then that.

If you are looking to create new items for your menu or product line using malt flavoring, the possibilities are endless. Consider the following ways to incorporate malt flavoring:

1. Malt flavoring can sweeten milk-based products such as ice cream and pudding.

2. Use malt flavoring to spice up baked goods.

3. Think about any dietary restrictions that using malt flavoring may elicit.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Think about creating a new ice cream or pudding using malt flavoring

There are several different ways to incorporate the rich flavor of malt. Malt can be combined with other sweet flavors or stand on its own, depending on the flavor profile that you are looking for.

I recommend: At Nature's Flavors, you can find malt flavorings that are sold in concentrate form. In this case you can add the actual flavoring directly to the milk or ice cream product itself. You can also purchase a malt syrup from The WEBstaurant Store that you can add as a topping to achieve that distinct malt flavor.

Consider adding malt flavoring to your baked goods

Malt flavoring can be used as a natural sweetener for your products. Barley malt can be purchased in many different forms, including concentrate, liquid and powder.

I recommend: NOW Foods is a malt flavoring provider that offers powdered barley malt flavoring you can add to cookies, cakes, muffins and many other baked goods. You will also find malt flavoring at King Arthur Flour. It has an organic malt syrup that the company recommend for bagels and breads.

Be aware of dietary restrictions that are associated with malt flavoring

Since malt flavoring is usually made from barley, malt flavoring information states that it is not safe for those suffering from celiac disease. Celiac is the inability to digest gluten, which is found in grains such as barley and wheat.

I recommend: For those customers with an allergy to gluten, the malt flavoring list suggests using brown rice syrup. Some brown rice syrups are made with a percentage of barley malt, but it is possible to find pure brown rice syrup. The website iHerb.com carries a gluten-free brown rice syrup that is recommended for the addition to several different products. World Class Nutrition also offers a gluten-free brown rice syrup that you can use to achieve malt flavor in baked goods and other dishes that call for a malt flavoring.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Because malt is often associated with the brewing of beer, it wouldn't hurt to define to your diners or potential buyers what the flavor profile of malt actually is. Describe the sweet, rich flavor that can be achieved by using malt flavor. Some customers may shy away if they are unsure of what malt flavoring can do to enhance a product.