Bitterness is one of the most persistent challenges in functional product development. It does not matter whether you are working with caffeine, hemp-derived cannabinoids, kratom, or plant-based proteins. The moment a formulation tips into off-note territory, you have a product that consumers will not repurchase regardless of how well it performs.
The ingredient category determines the intensity. The bitterness spectrum runs wide, from the moderate, manageable bitterness of caffeine-fortified drinks on one end, to the deep, earthy bitterness of full-spectrum cannabinoids and the notoriously harsh taste profile of kratom on the other. What all of these ingredients share is that traditional masking strategies, heavy sweetener loads, artificial flavors, and sodium, rarely solve the problem cleanly. They add complexity without removing the root cause.
KND Labs, as the exclusive distributor of MycoTechnology's ClearIQ™ flavor modifiers, now offers formulators a more precise path forward across all of these challenges and the full range of applications where they appear.
Why Masking Does Not Work
Flavor masking and flavor modulation are not the same thing, and the distinction matters in practice.
Masking introduces a competing sensory signal strong enough to divert attention from an off-note. In low-sugar, clean-label, or functionally dense formulations, there is often no room for that competing signal. Adding more sweetener in a keto beverage, or more flavor in a minimally processed supplement, creates new problems while leaving the original one intact.
Modulation works differently. Rather than covering an off-note, it reduces the perception of that off-note directly. Desirable flavors come through more clearly. The formulation is not complicated further. And clean-label positioning is preserved.
This is the mechanism behind ClearIQ™, developed by MycoTechnology through mushroom mycelial fermentation. At low inclusion rates, it reduces bitterness, astringency, metallic notes, and lingering aftertaste across a wide range of formulation systems without adding anything sensory of its own. Key attributes that make it formulator-friendly:
-
Tasteless, odorless, and colorless, introducing no new sensory variables
-
Non-GMO and clean-label aligned, with certified organic options available
-
Water soluble, supporting uniform dispersion in beverages, gummies, and emulsified systems
-
Effective at low inclusion rates, supporting cost and label sensitivity
-
Keto-friendly, adding zero sugar or carbohydrates
The Bitterness Spectrum: Where ClearIQ™ Applies
Not every bitter ingredient presents the same challenge. Understanding where your formulation sits on the spectrum helps determine which ClearIQ™ variety to use and at what inclusion rate.
Caffeine and Energy Ingredients
Caffeine is one of the most widely formulated functional ingredients in the world. It is also consistently bitter. In RTD energy drinks, coffee-based beverages, and caffeine-fortified confections, even small concentrations leave a noticeable bite that sweeteners can soften but rarely eliminate cleanly.
ClearIQ™ C100, MycoTechnology's precision liquid modifier, is particularly effective here. At inclusion rates of 100 to 200 ppm in energy drinks and 10 to 300 ppm in coffee and tea beverages, C100 targets bitterness and aftertaste while preserving the brightness and clarity of the base. For clean-label energy formulations where the ingredient list is short and the sensory expectations are high, this level of control is difficult to achieve any other way.
Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids present a more complex bitterness challenge. CBD, CBG, THCV, and other hemp-derived compounds carry inherent earthy, bitter notes that intensify in low-sugar and clean-label formats. Tinctures are particularly unforgiving. Gummies and functional beverages are not far behind.
ClearIQ™ has been formulated and validated specifically for cannabinoid applications. C100 is recommended at 10 to 250 ppm for CBD beverages and tinctures, where precision matters most. A500, the powdered variety, is suited to gummies, chewables, and supplement formats where broader modulation across multiple off-note types is needed.
At KND Labs, ClearIQ™ integration is treated as part of a broader formulation strategy that includes ingredient sourcing, cannabinoid selection, and process design. The goal is not just reducing bitterness in isolation but arriving at a finished product that performs at market and builds repeat purchase behavior.
Kratom
Kratom occupies the far end of the bitterness spectrum. Its flavor profile is widely described as intensely bitter and earthy, with a persistence that makes it one of the most challenging functional ingredients to formulate into a consumer-acceptable product. Capsules sidestep the issue entirely, but for brands building kratom products in beverage, powder, or gummy formats, taste is an active barrier to adoption.
ClearIQ™ A500 is well positioned for kratom applications given its broad modulation range and versatility across complex, multi-ingredient systems. It works to reduce the intensity of strong, irregular, and overpowering flavors while also addressing astringency and lingering aftertaste at the organoleptic level. Brands working to bring kratom products into more accessible formats now have a clean-label tool that meaningfully moves the needle on taste.
Plant Proteins, Botanicals, and Functional Actives
Bitterness is not exclusive to these three categories. Plant proteins carry beany and metallic notes. Minerals introduce metallic flavor. Adaptogens and botanicals can be astringent or sharp. High-intensity sweeteners leave lingering aftertastes that undermine the perception of the entire product.
ClearIQ™ addresses all of these. A500's recommended usage ranges extend across protein-fortified foods and beverages, functional actives including adaptogens, plant-based snacks, and better-for-you bakery. For formulators managing diverse ingredient decks, it functions as a foundation-level tool that improves overall taste balance without forcing tradeoffs in nutrition or labeling.
Selecting the Right ClearIQ™ Variety
Both ClearIQ™ varieties are built on the same mycelial fermentation platform. They serve different formulation needs.
ClearIQ™ Specialty Flavor A500 is a powdered modifier suited for broad application across complex systems. It handles multiple off-note types simultaneously and is typically blended with dry ingredients early in the process. Best suited for:
-
Gummies, chewables, and confectionery
-
Nutraceutical and functional supplement powders
-
Plant-based snacks and meat and dairy alternatives
-
Protein-fortified foods and beverages
-
Kratom and botanical-heavy formulations
ClearIQ™ Absolute Flavor C100 is a concentrated liquid modifier designed for precision use in low-flavor systems. At ppm-level inclusion, it excels in applications where even minor sensory shifts are immediately noticeable. Best suited for:
-
RTD beverages and functional drinks
-
Energy and caffeine-fortified beverages
-
Coffee and tea-based applications
-
Sugar-free and reduced-sugar confections
-
Cannabinoid-infused beverages and tinctures
Both are available exclusively through KND Labs. Samples and technical documentation are available upon request.
About MycoTechnology and KND Labs
MycoTechnology is a pioneer in mycelial fermentation, using mushroom-based biotechnology to develop next-generation flavor solutions for the food, beverage, and functional ingredient industries. Their ClearIQ™ platform is supported by third-party sensory analysis and validated across a broad range of application types.
KND Labs serves as the exclusive distributor of ClearIQ™ and brings these solutions directly into formulation and manufacturing partnerships with functional brands, supplement companies, cannabinoid product developers, and co-manufacturing operations. With cGMP and ISO 9001:2015-certified facilities in Colorado and a partner-first approach to development, KND Labs integrates ClearIQ™ as part of a complete formulation strategy rather than a standalone add-on.
For formulators who want to go beyond addressing bitterness in isolation, that distinction matters. Reach the KND Labs team at kndlabs.com/pages/myco-technology to discuss your formulation, request samples, or download technical documentation.
