Sofrito Flavors Add Latin Flair

Prepared Foods, Oct, 2000 by LINDA MILO OHR Sr.

It seems that anything Latin--the music, the dancing and the food--is trendy. Whether it's the seductive salsa or flavor-filled food, Latin cuisinespurs an exotic sense of boldness and spice.

With Latin America's popularity in the U.S., it is no surprise that more Latin-themed restaurants are emerging. For the food industry, this influences the type of flavors and dishes consumers will be demanding from retail products.

Many authentic Latin recipes are not complete without one essential ingredient, sofrito. A basic sofrito is a richly flavored saute of onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, bell peppers and tomatoes. Sofrito varies between Latin regions such as Mexico and Cuba. Each region adds its own unique blend of spices, resulting in distinct local flavors.

"I've read that sofrito is to Latin cuisine as butter is to French cuisine," says Laura Ferrante, communications manager for Comax Flavors, Melville, N.Y. Sofrito is the base ingredient for countless Latin recipes, including soups, stews, tamales and meat dishes. Pork marinated in sofrito has a heightened flavor prior to grilling. In paella, sofrito acts as the main flavor base. Soups and stews also use sofrito as the base ingredient. Sofrito can also function as a sauce poured over baked fish or chicken.

Based on sofrito's bold flavor and versatility, Comax developed its Fiesta Latina line of flavors. This line of sofrito flavors celebrates the different sofrito flavors that exist within the Latin community.

"When developing our flavors, we did extensive in-house testing with our Hispanic employees. By studying local recipes, listening to our taste panels and testing variations, we were able to create a sofrito line that stays true to its Latin origins," says Ferrante. The Fiesta Latina line consists of Basic Sofrito Flavor, Mexican Sofrito Flavor, Puerto Rican Sofrito Flavor and Cuban Sofrito Flavor.

The Basic Sofrito Flavor is a combination of peppers, onion, garlic, tomato and other spices. Mexican Sofrito Flavor is the hottest in the line. Puerto Rican Sofrito Flavor is more intense. Cuban Sofrito Flavor is the mildest of the line.

The focus on different cultures within the Latin community makes the Fiesta Latina line unique. All of the flavors are liquid-based. Formulators can use the flavors in marinades, condiments and tomato-based sauces, which in turn add authentic Latin flavor to chicken, beef, seafood, beans, stews and more.

Comax also offers a line of pepper flavors. Chile Ancho is a mildly hot chili that has a fruity flavor. It is the sweetest of the chilies and adds a mild earthy taste to the flavor. A line of red chilies range from mild and medium hot to extra hot.