Introduction
Formulators working with functional ingredients know the challenge well: the more nutritionally ambitious a product becomes, the harder it is to make it taste good. Cannabinoids, botanicals, caffeine, minerals, and alternative sweeteners all introduce bitterness, metallic notes, or lingering off-flavors that traditional masking strategies struggle to solve.
At KND Labs, we work closely with MycoTechnology to bring ClearIQ™ flavor modulation solutions into real-world formulations across gummies, beverages, supplements, and cannabinoid-infused products. ClearIQ™ is not a flavor or a sweetener. It is a natural, clean-label flavor modifier developed through mushroom mycelial fermentation that helps harmonize flavor perception without altering a product’s intended profile.
In order to effectively utilize these formulas, it is important to understand how specific ClearIQ™ varieties function across different applications, and how formulators can use them strategically to improve taste while preserving clean-label and performance goals.
Why Flavor Modulation Still Drives Product Success
Consumers may prioritize health, sustainability, and clean labels, but taste remains the ultimate decision-maker. According to the 2024 IFIC Food & Health Survey, 85 percent of consumers say taste is the most important factor when purchasing food and beverages, outranking price, healthfulness, convenience, and environmental impact. That reality puts sustained pressure on R&D teams tasked with delivering both functionality and enjoyment.
Functional ingredients often work against palatability for many reasons:
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Cannabinoids contribute bitterness and earthy notes.
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High-intensity sweeteners leave lingering aftertastes.
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Plant proteins and botanicals introduce beany, metallic, or astringent characteristics.
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Traditional approaches often rely on sugar, sodium, or heavy flavor systems, which can undermine nutritional targets and clean-label positioning.
Flavor modulation addresses the issue differently. Instead of covering off-notes with additional ingredients, modulators like ClearIQ™ reduce the perception of those off-notes directly, allowing desirable flavors to come through more clearly and consistently across formats.
What ClearIQ™ Is and How It Works
ClearIQ™ is a natural flavor modifier derived from mushroom mycelial fermentation, designed to improve taste without adding flavor, color, or odor. Rather than masking, ClearIQ™ works by harmonizing flavor perception, reducing the intensity of bitter, metallic, sour, and astringent notes while preserving the integrity of the formulation.
From a formulation perspective, several characteristics make ClearIQ™ particularly valuable in functional systems:
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Water soluble, supporting uniform dispersion in beverages, gummies, and emulsified systems
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Tasteless, odorless, and colorless, introducing no new sensory variables
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Clean-label aligned, non-GMO, with certified organic options available
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Effective at low inclusion rates, supporting cost and label sensitivity
For formulators, this means ClearIQ™ can be deployed as a supporting ingredient that improves taste performance without forcing tradeoffs elsewhere in the formulation.
ClearIQ™ A500 and C100: Selecting the Right Variety
ClearIQ™ is available in multiple varieties, and at KND Labs, we most often utilize ClearIQ™ Specialty Flavor A500 and ClearIQ™ Absolute Flavor C100 based on how consistently they perform across a wide range of formulation challenges. While built on the same modulation platform, each is designed for different system needs.
ClearIQ™ Specialty Flavor A500
ClearIQ™ A500 is a powdered flavor modifier designed for broad application across complex food and supplement systems. It is particularly effective in formulations where multiple off-notes are present or where ingredient complexity makes taste optimization difficult.
A500 is commonly used in:
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Gummies and confectionery
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Nutraceutical and functional supplements
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Plant-based snacks
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Meat and dairy alternatives
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Fortified and functional beverages
Because of its versatility and higher tolerance for inclusion across multiple food and beverage types, A500 often serves as a foundation-level flavor modulation tool. It can be introduced at various points during formulation and is frequently blended with other dry ingredients to support even distribution. For formulators managing complex ingredient systems, A500 offers a flexible and reliable approach to improving taste without forcing tradeoffs in nutrition, labeling, or process flow.
ClearIQ™ Absolute Flavor C100
ClearIQ™ C100 is a highly concentrated flavor modifier designed for precision applications, particularly in liquids and low-flavor systems. It is optimized for ppm-level use and excels in products where even minor off-note spikes are immediately noticeable.
C100 is frequently used in:
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RTD beverages and functional drinks
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Energy and caffeine-fortified drinks
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Coffee and tea beverages
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Sugar-free or reduced-sugar confections
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Cannabinoid-infused beverages and tinctures
Because of its potency, C100 is typically bench tested across a range of inclusion rates to identify the minimum effective dose. It is often introduced with dry ingredients prior to hydration to support consistent performance. When used thoughtfully, C100 gives R&D teams a high level of control over bitterness and aftertaste in systems where small sensory shifts can significantly influence consumer perception.
Application-Specific Insights for Formulators
Gummies and Confectionery
Gummies remain one of the most challenging delivery formats from a flavor standpoint, particularly in cannabinoid and functional formulations. As outlined in KND Labs’ analysis of why cannabis gummies taste bitter, the combination of actives, acids, and reduced sugar creates ideal conditions for bitterness and lingering aftertaste.
In these systems, ClearIQ™ A500 is a standout solution. Its broad modulation range helps smooth bitterness and astringency without muting fruit flavors or altering texture, color, or clarity. For formulators, this can reduce reliance on aggressive sweetening strategies while improving overall flavor balance.
RTD Beverages and Functional Drinks
RTD beverages demand precision. Lower sweetness levels, lighter mouthfeel, and clear or lightly flavored profiles leave little room to hide off-notes. In these applications, ClearIQ™ C100 is commonly used to target bitterness from caffeine, botanicals, or cannabinoids while preserving brightness and clarity.
Because C100 is effective at very low inclusion rates, it is particularly well suited for clean-label beverage systems where ingredient lists and sensory performance are tightly controlled.
Supplements, Tinctures, and Powders
While capsules bypass taste entirely, powders, chewables, and liquid supplements do not. Metallic notes from minerals, bitterness from plant extracts, and harsh cannabinoid profiles can all reduce consumer adherence.
In these formats, A500 is typically used for dry powders and chewables, while C100 is favored for tinctures and liquid concentrates. In both cases, the objective is the same: reduce negative sensory cues without introducing new flavors or compromising clean-label positioning.
Flavor Modulation in Cannabinoid Formulations
Cannabinoid systems clearly illustrate the value of flavor modulation. CBD, THCV, and other compounds carry inherent bitterness and earthy notes that are difficult to manage, especially in low-sugar or clean-label products.
ClearIQ™ allows formulators to address these challenges at the sensory level rather than relying on excess sweetness or heavy flavor systems. This approach helps preserve terpene profiles, maintain consistency across batches, and support repeat purchase behavior. At KND Labs, flavor modulation is treated as part of a broader formulation strategy that includes ingredient sourcing, process design, and scalability considerations.
Practical Formulation Considerations
When integrating ClearIQ™ into a formulation, several best practices apply consistently:
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Bench test early to establish effective inclusion ranges
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Start at the lowest functional dose, particularly with C100
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Evaluate interactions with sweeteners, acids, and active ingredients
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Consider mixing order and dispersion when scaling from bench to production
Because ClearIQ™ can be introduced at multiple stages of formulation, aligning its use with processing flow early can reduce reformulation cycles later.
A Partner-First Approach to Better Taste
Flavor modulation delivers the most value when it is part of a collaborative development process. KND Labs works alongside formulators and product teams to evaluate ingredient systems holistically and apply tools like ClearIQ™ where they create the most impact.
For teams developing functional, cannabinoid, or better-for-you products, taste should never be an afterthought. Engaging with KND Labs allows flavor challenges to be addressed at the formulation level, helping products reach market with both performance and consumer appeal intact. Teams ready to continue the conversation can connect with KND Labs to learn more.
FAQ: ClearIQ™ Flavor Modulation
What is ClearIQ™?
ClearIQ™ is a natural, clean-label flavor modifier developed through mushroom mycelial fermentation that reduces the perception of undesirable tastes without adding flavor, color, or odor.
How is ClearIQ™ different from flavor masking?
Rather than covering off-notes with sweetness or strong flavors, ClearIQ™ harmonizes flavor perception, allowing desirable notes to present more clearly.
What is the difference between A500 and C100?
A500 is a versatile powdered option suited for broad applications and larger formulations. C100 is a highly concentrated variety designed for precision use in liquids and low-flavor systems.
Does ClearIQ™ work in cannabinoid products?
Yes. ClearIQ™ is particularly effective in cannabinoid formulations, helping reduce bitterness and lingering aftertaste in gummies, beverages, and tinctures.
Does ClearIQ™ affect label claims?
ClearIQ™ is non-GMO, clean-label, and available with organic options, but manufacturers should always verify specifications and COAs for their specific claims.
How much ClearIQ™ should I use?
Inclusion rates depend on the formulation and off-note intensity. Bench testing is recommended to determine the minimum effective dose.