Flavor Modulation for Functional Ingredients and Cannabinoid Products

How KND Labs and MycoTechnology Are Solving Flavor Challenges in Modern Wellness Formulations

As functional wellness and cannabinoid-infused products evolve, one challenge continues to dominate: taste. Ingredients like CBD, CBG, THCV, caffeine, and plant proteins offer real benefits, but their natural flavor profiles often bring bitterness, astringency, or lingering aftertastes. These off-notes can undermine even the best formulations—especially in beverages, gummies, tinctures, and other finished goods.

Now, through a new partnership with MycoTechnology, KND Labs is bringing a powerful, clean-label solution to market. ClearIQ™, a mushroom-fermented flavor modifier, offers brands a scientifically validated way to create better-tasting products without synthetic masking agents or excessive sweeteners.

 

ClearIQ™: Natural, Clean-Label Flavor Modulation

ClearIQ™ is a next-generation flavor modulation solution derived from the mycelial fermentation of mushrooms. Unlike synthetic flavor maskers or traditional bitter blockers, ClearIQ™ offers a clean-label, non-GMO, odorless, colorless, and tasteless approach to mitigating undesirable flavor characteristics. The technology behind ClearIQ™ is rooted in nature but engineered with precision, making it ideal for brands aiming to enhance product taste without compromising formulation integrity.

Available in two formats, ClearIQ™ A500 and C100, this water-soluble ingredient is designed for versatile integration across a wide range of product types and production scales. From functional gummies and adaptogen drinks to protein bars and emulsified tincture formats, ClearIQ™ supports innovative formulations that require water miscibility for optimal performance.

 

The Science Behind Better Taste

So how does it work? ClearIQ™ targets the most common flavor challenges associated with active ingredients: bitterness, astringency, metallic undertones, and lingering earthy notes. But it does more than neutralize. It also enhances. When ClearIQ™ is applied, positive flavor notes are amplified—citrus tastes brighter, berries become more vibrant, and the overall profile rounds out for a smoother, more palatable experience.

This flavor modulation happens without adding any perceptible taste of its own. That means brands can maintain the integrity of their intended flavor profiles while eliminating the harsh edges that often require compensatory sweeteners or synthetic masking agents. This not only improves the consumer experience but can also reduce the need for additional ingredients, potentially lowering formulation costs.

The two ClearIQ™ variants serve different use cases:

• A500 is ideal for broader applications with a wider load tolerance and is frequently used in nutraceuticals, plant-based snacks, and sugar alternative systems.

• C100 is more concentrated and designed for precision targeting of off-notes in cannabinoid, caffeine, and high-intensity sweetener systems, particularly in beverage and confectionery applications.

 

Why Functional Products Need Flavor Innovation Now

As the functional wellness market matures, so do consumer expectations. In categories like non-alcoholic beverages, protein-rich snacks, and botanical-infused gummies, taste is quickly becoming a critical differentiator. Consumers seeking alternatives to alcohol, sugar, or synthetic additives aren’t just looking for functional benefits—they want a premium taste experience that fits their lifestyle.

Yet many beneficial ingredients don’t always cooperate. Cannabinoids, plant proteins, vitamins, minerals, and adaptogens can all carry bitterness or aftertastes that clash with a product’s flavor goals. These challenges are particularly acute in full-spectrum formulas or those using high-intensity sweeteners.

The result? Brands are often forced to rely on over-sweetening or synthetic flavor masking—approaches that may solve one problem while creating others in terms of label claims, caloric content, or consumer perception.

With ClearIQ™, formulators have a new option: a scientifically validated, natural way to resolve flavor conflicts without compromise.

 

A Strategic Partnership for Innovation

For KND Labs, integrating ClearIQ™ into its distribution platform is more than a portfolio expansion; it's a strategic move to support the next generation of cannabinoid and functional wellness products. Known for its leadership in cannabinoid ingredient purity, compliance, and scalability, KND now extends that same standard to flavor innovation across a broader spectrum of applications.

The partnership with MycoTechnology was a natural fit. After evaluating multiple options in the flavor modulation space, KND selected ClearIQ™ for its clean-label status, impressive sensory performance, and compatibility with a wide range of active compounds. The inclusion rates are extremely low, a few milligrams per production run in some cases, making it not only effective but also cost-conscious. ClearIQ™ also enhances existing flavor profiles while reducing bitterness and astringency, allowing formulators to use less of other flavoring agents (like citrus) without compromising taste, ultimately creating a more efficient and cost-effective formulation.

With deep technical expertise and full regulatory documentation provided, KND offers its partners more than just access to ClearIQ™. Brands receive hands-on support through formulation trials, application guidance, and integration strategy, whether they're exploring new product concepts or improving existing ones.

 

Versatility Across Product Formats

ClearIQ™ is already making waves in functional beverages and gummies, but its application potential goes much further. The ingredient has been tested and proven effective in:

• Ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages

• Functional confections

• Tinctures and capsules

• Protein-fortified snacks

• Sugar-free syrups and sauces

• Caffeinated and adaptogen-enhanced formulations

• CBD, CBG, and THCV-infused formats

Its adaptability to both dry and wet phase applications makes it an easy fit for most production processes, and its water solubility ensures even distribution in beverage systems. Whether your formulation is simple or complex, ClearIQ™ offers a streamlined path to a better-tasting, more competitive product.

 

Taste as a Competitive Advantage

In an industry where regulatory compliance, ingredient quality, and speed to market are table stakes, taste is becoming the next major frontier for product differentiation. Brands that invest in flavor optimization not only deliver a better consumer experience but also gain an edge in crowded categories.

With ClearIQ™, KND Labs empowers its partners to move beyond compromise. No more masking flavors with excessive sweeteners. No more settling for "good enough." Instead, brands can unlock the full potential of their formulations—both functionally and flavorfully.

As KND continues to expand its role as a partner-first manufacturer, the addition of ClearIQ™ is a clear signal: the future of wellness products is not only effective but also delicious.

To learn more about how ClearIQ™ can elevate your next formulation, connect with KND Labs for samples, inclusion guidance, or full-scale support. Whether you're launching a new SKU or optimizing an existing one, our team is here to help you bring better-tasting, cleaner-label products to market faster.