Guaiacol

Guaiacol is a food-grade flavoring agent with a smoky phenolic aroma, widely used in the food industry to simulate or enhance specific flavors.​In smoked foods, it can mimic the charred and woody notes of traditional smoking. It is often used in meat products such as bacon and sausages, as well as smoked cheese. An addition level of 0.001%-0.005% is sufficient to enhance the flavor while reducing harmful substance residues from traditional smoking processes. In the baking and confectionery field, when compounded with vanillin, it can intensify the roasted aroma of nut pastries and balance the sweetness in caramel and chocolate, with a typical addition level of 0.0005%-0.002%.​In beverages and alcoholic drinks, it can add a smoked ale style to craft beers and simulate wood-aged aromas in fruit wines, with an addition level of approximately 0.0001%-0.0005%. In condiments, adding 0.002%-0.008% to barbecue sauces and compound seasoning powders can establish a smoky-savory base.