Bulk Yacon
Source86 supplies bulk yacon as a food-grade natural sweetener made from the root of Smallanthus sonchifolius. Naturally rich in fructooligosaccharides (FOS), yacon delivers sweetness with a mild caramel-like profile for commercial formulation and large-scale production.
It is supplied in two forms, concentrated syrup and spray-dried powder, both derived from yacon root juice, allowing manufacturers to select a liquid or dry sweetener format aligned with their system. Yacon is commonly used in baked goods, snack and nutrition bars, beverages, sauces, dressings, confectionery, and functional products where sweetness, FOS-based positioning, and moisture- and binding-support (in the syrup) are required.
Available in wholesale volumes and custom pack sizes, Source86 supplies yacon to procurement teams, R&D departments, and food manufacturers at scale. Certifications, including Kosher, Halal, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, and Vegan, are available upon request.
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Product Data
| Scientific Name | Smallanthus sonchifolius |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Yacon |
| Source Material | Yacon root |
| Product Uses | Frozen desserts, bars and cereals, sauces and dips |
| Available Forms | Concentrated syrup · Spray-dried powder |
| Physical Form | Viscous syrup (liquid) / fine powder |
| Appearance | Syrup: dark amber to brown; Powder: light brown |
| Odor | Mild sweet aroma with caramel-like notes |
| Flavor | Sweet, earthy, and caramel-like (molasses / maple-adjacent) |
| Origin Countries | Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador |
| Packaging Formats | Bulk pails, drums, totes, and custom pack sizes available |
| Shelf Life | 12–24 months under recommended storage |
| Storage Conditions | Store in a cool, dry place away from heat, sunlight, and moisture. Keep sealed when not in use. |
Grade & Standardization
Yacon is supplied in two processing forms, both derived from the juice of the yacon root and both carrying its naturally occurring FOS. The primary specification difference is format, which determines how the ingredient behaves in a formulation.
- Yacon Syrup: Yacon juice is filtered and gently concentrated into a viscous dark amber syrup. In addition to sweetness, the syrup format contributes moisture, viscosity, and binding in bars, clusters, soft-baked goods, and sauce systems.
- Spray-Dried Yacon Powder: Filtered yacon juice is spray-dried into a fine, low-moisture powder. The dry format supports inclusion in dry blends, instant systems, seasonings, and applications where added moisture is not desired.
Finer parameters, exact FOS content, sugar profile, Brix (syrup), water activity, viscosity, and microbiological controls are defined in the product specification sheet and Certificate of Analysis and vary by lot and form. The values above are typical industry ranges, pending COA confirmation.
Certifications & Compliance
Source86 supplies bulk yacon with documentation commonly required for commercial ingredient sourcing and supplier qualification.
Documentation available upon request may include: Certificate of Analysis (COA); product specification sheet / technical data sheet; allergen statement; country of origin documentation; Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Certifications (availability may vary by supplier, origin, and production lot): Kosher · Halal · Non-GMO · Gluten-Free · Vegan.
For quality assurance teams requiring additional documentation, including microbiological reports, heavy metals testing, pesticide residue analysis, FOS profile, sugar profile, Brix verification, or pH testing, requests can be accommodated on a per-order basis. Contact our team to confirm documentation availability for your specific compliance requirements.
Production & Sourcing
Source86 sources yacon from established yacon-producing regions in South America, including Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. These temperate Andean growing regions support yacon cultivation with roots harvested at maturity for sweetness development. Multi-origin sourcing helps stabilize supply availability and reduce exposure to seasonal disruption in any single region.
How It’s Produced:
- Cultivation: Yacon plants are grown in suitable temperate conditions until the roots reach maturity.
- Root Harvesting: Mature roots are harvested after sufficient root mass and sugar content develop.
- Washing & Preparation: Roots are washed to remove soil and field debris, then peeled and sliced.
- Slicing & Crushing: Cleaned roots are sliced and crushed to release the juice.
- Juice Extraction & Filtration: Extracted juice, carrying the naturally occurring FOS, is filtered to remove solids and impurities.
- Concentration (syrup) or Spray-Drying (powder): For syrup, the filtered juice is gently heated or vacuum-concentrated into a viscous syrup. For powder, the filtered juice is atomized into a heated drying chamber and spray-dried into fine particles.
- Packing & Quality Review: Finished syrup or powder is tested against specification and packed for commercial orders.
Harvest & Supply Availability
Yacon is cultivated in temperate Andean regions of Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, with harvest generally tied to root maturity and sweetness development. Staggered regional sourcing supports continuity of supply and helps Source86 maintain consistent inventory and lead times across origins.
Applications
- Bakery: Used as a sweetener, moisture-supporting ingredient (syrup), and flavor contributor in cookies, muffins, breads, and bars.
- Snack, Granola & Cereal Bars: Used to support sweetness, ingredient adhesion, and chewy texture in bar and cluster systems; the syrup format functions as a liquid binder, the powder as a dry sweetener inclusion.
- Beverages & RTD: Used in ready-to-drink beverages, concentrates, smoothies, teas, and functional drink systems; powder supports instant and dry-mix formats, syrup suits liquid systems.
- Confectionery: Used in chocolates, caramels, and soft sweets where syrup-based sweetness and binding or powdered sweetness are useful.
- Dairy & Non-Dairy Systems: Used in yogurts, ice creams, puddings, and plant-based alternatives to contribute sweetness and caramel-like flavor.
- Sauces, Dressings & Marinades: Used to support sweetness, viscosity, browning, and caramel-like flavor depth in glazes, chutneys, relishes, and marinade systems.
- Functional Foods & Supplements: Used in meal replacements, fortified snacks, and supplement formats where FOS-based prebiotic positioning is supported by documentation.
- Protein & Nutrition Products: Used in protein powders, nutrition blends, and meal-replacement systems where a liquid sweetener/binder or compatible dry sweetener fits the format.
Physical & Functional Characteristics
Syrup: dark amber to brown viscous liquid; Powder: fine light-brown powder.
Sweet, earthy, and caramel-like, comparable to mild molasses or dark syrup.
Mild sweet aroma with caramel and root-derived notes.
Syrup: thick consistency contributing body and binding; Powder: fine, free-flowing.
Amber to dark brown (syrup) / light brown (powder), which may affect final product color depending on inclusion level.
Dispersible in water-based systems; performance depends on temperature, viscosity, solids content, and processing conditions.
Syrup adds moisture and soluble solids and must be accounted for in bakery, bar, and confectionery systems; powder is a low-moisture dry inclusion.
Contains carbohydrates, naturally occurring sugars, and FOS; potassium, calcium, and antioxidants present. Exact FOS, sugar, and calorie values confirmed by lot-specific documentation.
Suitable for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free positioning when supported by documentation.
Functionality
- Provides sweetness with a mild caramel-like profile as an alternative to cane sugar, corn syrup, honey, or agave.
- Contributes naturally occurring fructooligosaccharides (FOS), supporting prebiotic-fiber positioning when backed by documentation and compliant labeling.
- Supports moisture retention in baked goods, bars, and soft-texture systems (syrup format).
- Functions as a syrup binder in bars, clusters, energy bites, and snack formats (syrup format).
- Contributes viscosity, chew, and body depending on inclusion rate and solids content (syrup format).
- Integrates as a dry sweetener inclusion in dry blends, instant mixes, and seasoning systems (powder format).
- May support lower-glycemic sweetener positioning when substantiated by product-specific testing and compliant claims language.
Benefits for Commercial Manufacturing
- Alternative Sweetener Positioning: Provides a plant-derived sweetener option for products positioned around alternatives to refined sugar or conventional syrups.
- Two-Form Flexibility: Liquid syrup and dry spray-dried powder let manufacturers match format to the system, liquid binder/sweetener or dry inclusion, from a single ingredient family.
- Application Flexibility: Supports bakery, bars, beverages, sauces, dressings, confectionery, and nutrition products, reducing the need to source separate sweetener systems per format.
- Bulk Supply Options: Available in bulk formats with custom pack sizes based on order requirements.
- Documentation Readiness: COAs, specification sheets, allergen statements, origin documentation, and compliance records available upon request.
- Sourcing Relevance: Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador origin supports a clear sourcing story tied to established yacon-producing regions.
- Claim-Support Potential: FOS content and lower-glycemic positioning may support differentiated claims when verified through documentation and reviewed for compliance.
- Production Efficiency: Can simplify ingredient decks in certain bars, snacks, and bakery systems by contributing sweetness, binding, and moisture support (syrup) through one ingredient.
