Premium flavors have always held a certain mystique, complex, concentrated, crafted to perfection. They’re the invisible ingredients behind unforgettable bites and sips, the silent collaborators in the success of celebrated dishes. Yet for all their power, they’ve often felt out of reach. Reserved for the hands of large-scale manufacturers or behind the guarded walls of industrial suppliers, these intricate notes rarely made their way to the hands of home bakers, indie café owners, or culinary creators working outside the spotlight.
Try finding a bold pistachio essence that doesn’t taste synthetic. Or a pure vanilla that doesn’t cost a small fortune. For the longest time, the market told small-scale creators: settle. Settle for diluted. Settle for generic. Settle for what’s available, not what’s ideal.
That’s where Sulakshan Parameswaran decided to step in—not with a loud disruption, but with a quiet, precise revolution. Drawing from a childhood immersed in the scent of spice-laden oils and a family-run flavor business, he didn’t just build Ossoro Flavours and Superb Formulations. He redesigned access.
From Spice-Laced Childhoods to Flavor-Filled Futures
What inspired Sulakshan Parameswaran to venture into the world of flavors, extracts, and essential oils was deeply rooted in his upbringing. Having grown up in a family that ran a modest, home-adjacent business in the early 2000s, he was constantly surrounded by the scent of spices and aroma chemicals that were used to create simple yet powerful essences. Although he may not have realized it at the time, these early experiences played a significant role in shaping his deep understanding of sensory craftsmanship.
In 2007, the family business transitioned from a small setup to a fully operational factory. Witnessing this transformation firsthand, Sulakshan saw the vast potential of what they had built over the years.
After completing his MBA and spending over five years in the corporate sector, he stood at a pivotal juncture in his career. While the corporate world offered him valuable exposure and experience, he felt a strong pull toward the world he had grown up in. Choosing to follow his passion, he decided to join the world of flavors, embarking on a journey that was not just professional but deeply personal. For Sulakshan, this path has been one of rediscovery—of family heritage, of passion, and of the profound connection between nature and human senses.
The journey of founding Ossoro Flavours began with Sulakshan identifying a clear and growing need in the Indian market. He observed a rising wave of homebakers and small-scale food entrepreneurs who were eager to experiment with unique flavors but lacked access to high-quality products. This gap inspired him to reimagine how flavor solutions could be made available and accessible.
With a vision to change the game, Sulakshan and his team launched Ossoro with a focus on retail-friendly 30ml packs that maintained the same high concentration and quality as their commercial-grade offerings. To further enhance usability, they introduced bottles with inbuilt droppers—ensuring accurate dosing and ease of use, particularly for home kitchens.
From the outset, Sulakshan’s goal was both simple and ambitious: to make premium flavors available to everyone. Today, Ossoro offers an expansive range of flavors—from timeless classics to bold, exotic varieties—available across both online platforms and offline retail channels. The brand has established a strong presence on major e-commerce marketplaces and continues to expand into brick-and-mortar retail stores. Whether it’s a 10ml bottle for a home baker or a 20-litre drum for large-scale production, Ossoro caters to all needs.
One of the aspects Sulakshan is particularly proud of is the brand’s commitment to customization. He understands that innovation in the food and beverage industry often requires tailor-made solutions, and Ossoro has made it a priority to accommodate bespoke requests—even in small batches. This flexibility and customer-centric mindset have been key factors in Ossoro’s growth from a niche concept to a trusted name embraced by homebakers, chefs, and industrial manufacturers alike.
For Sulakshan, the journey so far has been exciting and fulfilling—but as he sees it, this is just the beginning.
Where Every Drop Tells a Story of Integrity
When asked what sets Superb Formulations apart in the competitive flavor manufacturing industry, Sulakshan emphasizes the company’s unwavering dedication to purity, accessibility, and craftsmanship—values that have remained central to its identity as an MSME. While many players in the industry focus on scale and mass production, Sulakshan has steered Superb Formulations to prioritize quality at every step.
A key differentiator, according to Sulakshan, is their strict sourcing policy. Only high-quality, traceable raw materials make the cut, resulting in flavors that are celebrated for their authenticity, purity, and consistency. The brand operates with a clear philosophy: great flavors begin with great ingredients.
Superb Formulations also stands out for its steadfast commitment to integrity. Sulakshan is clear that the company does not cut corners. Each product is built to deliver both performance and value, offering premium-grade formulations without the hefty price tag—an approach that resonates with both emerging brands and seasoned manufacturers.
Agility is another defining trait. The company ensures fast lead times for dispatch and delivery, making it a reliable partner for businesses working with tight production schedules. Their R&D capabilities are equally responsive. Whether a client requires a brand-new flavor or a tweak to an existing one, the team at Superb Formulations is known for its swift and collaborative development process.
Sulakshan is especially proud of the company’s approach to inclusivity. By eliminating minimum order quantities for first-time buyers, Superb Formulations has empowered countless homegrown brands, startups, and small distributors to grow without the pressure of large initial investments. This open-door policy has helped democratize access to high-quality flavor solutions.
At the core of Superb Formulations lies the Japanese philosophy of Kodawari—a relentless pursuit of perfection. Sulakshan explains that this mindset informs every formulation the company produces. The goal is always to get as close as possible to the natural source, both in aroma and in functionality. It’s this meticulous attention to detail, combined with an enduring passion for excellence, that has helped Superb Formulations carve out its distinct space in a highly competitive market.
The Alchemy of Intuition and Innovation
When reflecting on how he balances the artistry and scientific precision involved in creating unique flavors, Sulakshan compares the process to that of a chef crafting a signature dish. For him, flavor development is a harmonious blend of creativity, balance, and technical expertise. While the science—particularly organic chemistry—provides the structural foundation, Sulakshan emphasizes that equal importance must be given to the organoleptic elements: the aroma, mouthfeel, and the emotional resonance a flavor can evoke. It’s about creating an essence that feels complete and meaningful.
Interestingly, Sulakshan does not come from a traditional science background. His entry into flavor formulation was guided more by curiosity and intuition than academic training. This outsider perspective, he believes, became one of his greatest strengths. It allowed him to see flavor development not just as a technical process, but as a form of sensory storytelling—an opportunity to create something that could stir feelings or memories, not just satisfy a formula.
Over the years, Sulakshan has cultivated a deep respect for the scientific aspects of flavor creation, but he continues to champion the creative and intuitive dimensions. For him, innovation happens when both realms work together—when molecular precision meets artistic intention.
However, he is quick to point out that science and creativity are just two parts of the equation. Commercial viability plays a critical role as well. Sulakshan and his team work closely with customers to understand how each flavor will be used—the application, the dosage, heat stability, shelf life, and ultimately, the value it offers to the end user. These practical considerations are carefully integrated into every formulation to ensure the final product is not only distinctive and technically sound, but also effective and economical in real-world conditions.
It’s this thoughtful blend of curiosity, scientific understanding, creativity, and close customer collaboration that Sulakshan believes enables Superb Formulations to develop flavors that truly stand out in a crowded market.
Mastering Complexity Across Taste Territories
According to Sulakshan, developing flavors across diverse industries—such as bakery, beverages, and pharmaceuticals—presents a unique set of challenges that requires a nuanced and highly adaptable approach. While the foundational principles of flavor creation remain consistent, the variables within each segment demand customization and a deep understanding of application-specific requirements.
In the bakery industry, Sulakshan explains that one of the biggest challenges lies in the quality and nature of the raw materials used by clients. A flavor might behave very differently depending on whether a recipe uses real butter or cost-effective alternatives like margarine or vegetable oil. Butter tends to enhance and elevate flavor profiles, whereas substitutes often mute them. Recognizing that many commercial bakeries prioritize affordability, Sulakshan and his team at Superb Formulations design flavors that maintain consistency and appeal regardless of ingredient quality—ensuring that every end product delivers a desirable and reliable taste experience.
When it comes to beverages, Sulakshan highlights stability and compatibility as critical hurdles. Factors such as pH level, TDS (total dissolved solids), the specific types of acids used for profile enhancement, and sugar content all influence how a flavor behaves and integrates. A formulation that works perfectly in one setup might fail in another if these conditions change. To overcome this, his team invests significant time in understanding the beverage matrix in detail before recommending or tailoring a flavor solution, ensuring that performance is both stable and satisfying.
The pharmaceutical sector, Sulakshan notes, adds another layer of complexity. Here, flavors often serve a dual purpose: to improve palatability or to mask unpleasant tastes and odors. The applications vary widely—ranging from liquid syrups and powders to products designed for either human or veterinary use. Each use case comes with its own technical demands, including solubility, dosage form compatibility, and regulatory compliance. The team approaches each formulation with precision, ensuring that the flavor solution not only tastes good but also serves a specific functional and technical purpose.
Across all industries, Sulakshan emphasizes the importance of listening carefully to the client’s needs and asking the right questions. For him, the goal goes beyond crafting a great-tasting flavor—it’s about ensuring that each formulation performs reliably within the customer’s specific environment and adds value from both a sensory and functional standpoint.
The Craft Behind Every Drop of Flavor
Sulakshan describes flavor manufacturing as a meticulous blend of art and science, with several critical parameters shaping the creation of high-quality, consistent products. At the heart of the process lies raw material selection—a factor he considers absolutely fundamental. According to Sulakshan, the aroma ingredients used in a formulation directly impact the final outcome, as each raw material brings its own distinctive characteristics to the flavor. This is why his team places a strong emphasis on sourcing innovative and high-performance ingredients, continuously researching and testing new options to elevate existing profiles.
To maintain consistency, rigorous quality control checks are conducted on all incoming materials. These checks assess purity, potency, and overall consistency, ensuring that every batch meets the company’s high internal standards. Any deviation in quality, Sulakshan notes, could compromise the integrity of the final product.
Once the raw materials are approved, the next phase—processing—begins. Sulakshan compares this step to operating a highly specialized kitchen, where precision is key. Developing a flavor involves understanding the behavior of various aroma chemicals and skillfully combining them in specific ratios to craft a desired sensory experience. These aroma ingredients are blended with food-grade solvents to form the flavoring essence. Much like following a recipe, the formulation process demands accuracy and an intuitive understanding of how ingredients interact.
The processing techniques vary depending on the form and application of the final product. For instance, creating powder-based flavors involves a different method compared to emulsions, yet the underlying goal remains the same: to produce stable, effective, and high-quality flavor solutions.
For Sulakshan, each step in the process—from sourcing to formulation to quality control—is essential in crafting flavors that are not only technically sound but also rich in sensory appeal. It is this careful interplay of scientific discipline and creative intuition that defines the success of every product that leaves the Superb Formulations lab.
Raising the Bar for Global Flavor Safety
Sulakshan explains that a pivotal shift occurred in 2015 when Superb Formulations transitioned from a proprietorship to a private limited company. This restructuring marked a renewed and intensified focus on building a robust, sustainable food safety system. It wasn’t just a change in structure—it was a transformation in philosophy. From that point onward, the company prioritized developing policies and infrastructure that could meet, and even exceed, both national and international quality and regulatory standards.
Recognizing that global trust hinges on rigorous systems, Sulakshan led the overhaul of their processes, facilities, and protocols. One of the most significant milestones in this journey was achieving compliance with FSSC 22000—one of the world’s most respected food safety management system standards. This certification aligned Superb Formulations with globally recognized best practices in food manufacturing.
Their commitment, however, did not stop there. The company has since secured multiple certifications that reinforce its standing in both export and domestic markets. These include FDA compliance for international exports, ISO 22000, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), GHP (Good Hygienic Practices), HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), and Halal certification. For the Indian market, Superb Formulations remains fully compliant with FSSAI regulations, ensuring all products meet legal and safety requirements locally.
Sulakshan also emphasizes the importance of accountability. The company’s facilities undergo routine audits by independent third-party agencies—an essential component of their quality assurance program. These audits not only validate internal practices but also serve as a continuous improvement mechanism, ensuring food safety and hygiene standards are never compromised.
Through this multi-layered approach to compliance—covering everything from certifications to ongoing audits—Sulakshan has positioned Superb Formulations as a company that delivers not only on flavor but also on safety, trust, and global consistency.
Crafting Flavors with Soul and Science
Innovation is at the heart of everything Ossoro does, and with over 300 flavors in its growing portfolio, the company’s mission has always been to push the boundaries of flavor formulation. According to Sulakshan, their approach is inspired by two Japanese philosophies: Kodawari and Kaizen. Kodawari reflects their dedication to craftsmanship and the pursuit of perfection—striving to replicate nature’s aroma and taste as authentically as possible. Kaizen embodies their commitment to continuous improvement, encouraging the team to keep evolving and never settle for mediocrity.
This philosophy is brought to life through heavy investment in research, global food trend analysis, and ingredient innovation. The R&D team at Ossoro delves deep into the worlds of organic chemistry, aroma compounds, and advanced extraction and distillation methods. This allows them to isolate newer and rarer ingredients, lending a distinctive edge to each flavor developed.
What truly distinguishes Ossoro is its customer-centric approach. While many larger companies impose high minimum order quantities (MOQs) for bespoke flavors, Ossoro makes its extensive flavor library—including customized options—accessible even in small volumes. This flexibility enables them to support everyone from home bakers and boutique brands to large-scale manufacturers with equal attention and creativity.
Each new flavor is developed with precision, balancing science and artistry. Ossoro considers performance, dosage, stability, and sensory impact to ensure every creation is not only flavorful but also functional and reliable across applications.
Sensing the Shift
Sulakshan observes that consumer behavior in the flavor industry is shifting rapidly, driven by a heightened awareness of food ingredients and their origins. Today’s consumers—especially startups and niche brands—are more discerning, often seeking bold, natural, and clean-label flavor profiles that align with their brand values.
There has been a rise in demand from innovative product segments such as kombucha, functional beverages, protein snacks, cloud kitchens, and nutraceuticals. These businesses require high-impact, often all-natural flavors that are tailored to their brand identities and health-conscious consumers.
Ossoro has made it a priority to stay closely in tune with these trends. The team collaborates closely with emerging businesses to develop customized flavor solutions—ranging from premium natural extracts and fusion notes to unique flavor combinations that are rarely found in the market.
Homegrown trends also play a major role. The popularity of the home-baking movement has driven demand for flavors like Biscoff, Pina Colada, and Indian fusions such as Rasmalai and Gulab Jamun. Ossoro not only embraces these trends but also ensures that its formulations are application-friendly, stable, and offered in convenient pack sizes.
Sulakshan emphasizes that Ossoro’s ability to respond swiftly and thoughtfully to changing preferences—without compromising on quality or creativity—is what helps the brand remain relevant and trusted in a dynamic industry.
The Flavor of Fulfillment
Reflecting on his journey, Sulakshan shares that one of the most rewarding moments has been watching the Ossoro brand evolve from a simple idea into a respected name across India and international markets. Building something from the ground up and earning the trust of a diverse customer base—from passionate home bakers to innovative food and beverage companies—has been an incredibly fulfilling experience.
What stands out most to him is the validation that comes from repeat customers and long-term partnerships. It’s this trust that fuels the team’s daily motivation and reinforces their core commitment: food safety and quality are non-negotiable, regardless of the scale or complexity of the product.
For Sulakshan, the ultimate reward lies in knowing that Ossoro’s flavors have played a part in someone else’s success. Whether it’s a baker perfecting their signature cake or a startup launching a standout product with Ossoro’s flavor at its core—those moments, he says, are what make the entire journey worthwhile.
Unlocking the Secret to Flavor
For aspiring entrepreneurs looking to enter the flavor and fragrance industry, the most valuable advice from Ossoro’s journey is to remain deeply curious and committed to continuous learning. The industry is nuanced, blending science with art to craft experiences that engage both the senses and emotions. It’s crucial to grasp not only the chemistry behind aromas but also how they can evoke specific feelings or enhance experiences.
Aspiring entrepreneurs should invest time in understanding raw materials, formulation techniques, food safety standards, and regulatory frameworks—these foundational elements are key to building long-term credibility. The pace of change in the market demands adaptability, as consumer trends evolve rapidly, and nimbleness is essential.
While the scale of the industry may seem daunting, opportunities for innovation abound. By focusing on craftsmanship and serving underserved segments—such as small businesses and niche product creators who prioritize personalization over mass production—entrepreneurs can carve out their own space. Above all, maintaining quality and integrity is paramount; it’s the consistency and attention to detail that set standout entrepreneurs apart.
Ossoro’s Ambitious Path Forward
Ossoro’s vision for the future is to grow into a globally recognized name synonymous with quality, innovation, and accessibility in the flavor and fragrance sector. With a strong focus on expanding their global footprint through strategic exports and partnerships, Ossoro plans to further solidify its presence in the Indian market while leading the movement toward clean-label, natural flavors.
Research and development will remain a core investment as the company explores new frontiers in natural extractions, sustainable sourcing, and clean-label ingredients. These advancements will ensure that Ossoro not only meets performance standards but also contributes to a more environmentally and ethically responsible industry.
Ossoro’s commitment to democratizing access to premium flavors is key to their vision. They aim to provide small businesses, home bakers, and niche creators the same high-quality products and customization options that larger manufacturers enjoy. Speed, flexibility, and personalized service will continue to be cornerstones of their approach, allowing them to inspire creativity and elevate experiences for customers across the globe.