artificial flavour


artificial flavour

A synthetic substance which imparts a desired flavour to a food or drug, ideally the same flavour and aroma as the natural product. They are chemically stable and relatively inexpensive; use of artificial flavours (e.g., benzaldehyde) increased during World War II because of a shortage of the natural oil.
Examples
Anethole (anise), benzaldehyde (almond), ethyl acetate (fruit), methyl salicylate (wintergreen).