1923 was a momentous year for America: Walt Disney founded the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, the first issue of TIME Magazine hit newsstands, and Virginia Dare Extract Company entered the food and beverage industry as an extracts and flavour supplier.
This year marks Virginia Dare’s hundredth in business.
The company is now a world leader in flavour development, manufacturing, and distribution, and the global market standard for vanilla extracts.
Upholding the taste experience through flavour is what we have been focused on since day one
- Virginia Dare’s President Howard Smith
“Upholding the taste experience through flavour is what we have been focused on since day one,” said Virginia Dare’s President Howard Smith. “Flavor truly is forever. All of us have tastes that take us back to specific moments in our lives – whether it’s a vanilla soft serve ice cream cone or cotton candy from the carnival. Our team is so proud to be a part of some of the memories that consumers hold dearest.”
Virginia Dare is celebrating its centennial at the IFT FIRST and SupplySide West trade shows with booth events where show attendees can toast to the future of flavour. Virginia Dare sees this future as one that will continue to move toward health and wellness.
At IFT FIRST, Virginia Dare will sample the following wellness-focused applications:
- Blueberry Granola-flavored cold brew oatmilk latte
- Spiced Peach Cobbler-flavored black tea beverage
- Jasmine Mojito-flavored sparkling zero-proof cocktail
- Tropical Lychee Melon Mango-flavored whey protein shake mix
- Sweet-N-Salty Toffee Pecan Brittle-flavored whey protein shake mix
- Rainbow Candy-flavored vitamin pixy sticks
- Super Berry Lemonade-flavored EPA/DHA gummies
- Strawberry-flavoured functional fruit snacks for relaxation
- Blueberry Açai-flavored functional fruit snacks for immunity
“Our samples will highlight the biggest trends shaping the flavour industry, from nostalgia-inspired profiles to exotic fruits,” Virginia Dare’s Marketing & Consumer Insights Manager Philip Caputo said.
“These flavours tell unique stories and take consumers on a journey,” Caputo added.
The company will also hand out handcrafted vanilla ice cream and bottled extract samples.
As part of its centennial, Virginia Dare will also launch a new website in July and host a ribbon-cutting at its new headquarters in Carteret, New Jersey, later this year.
“Our 100-year milestone is the perfect time to revitalise our physical and digital presence, celebrate with our long-standing customers and new prospects at this year’s trade shows, and look forward to the next 100 years of flavour innovation,” Smith said. “We encourage anyone looking to launch products that will be part of shaping the next generation of foods, beverages, and nutrition to visit our trade show booths and toast to both the past and the future.”