Taymer Mason Studio
Food scientist &
product strategist
Helping Caribbean & African founders turn raw ingredients into market-ready food and beauty products, rooted in culture, science and strategy.
About Me
I’m Taymer Mason, a food scientist and Caribbean product developer with over 20 years of experience across multiple sectors including plant-based innovation, sauces and condiments, extruded snacks, gluten-free baking, and functional wellness products. I’ve worked in test kitchens, scaled production systems, and helped brands across Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean go from concept to shelf.With deep expertise in HACCP, food safety, and global compliance, I help founders transform bold ideas into export-ready products with real market impact.
Product Concepts
Cassava Plantain Hoops
Product Concept
A gluten-free extruded hoop cereal made from cassava starch and plantain derivatives. Designed for both breakfast and snacking occasions, this product utilises regionally available tropical ingredients and is optimised for light sweetness, high crunch, and excellent shelf stability.Key Functional IngredientsCassava Starch: Chosen for its clean flavour and superior expansion properties during twin-screw extrusion. Offers a crisp, airy texture ideal for dry cereal applications.Green Plantain Flour: Provides fibre, resistant starch, and structure. Functions as a natural binder and bulk ingredient.Ripe Plantain Purée, Used to introduce mild natural sweetness and balance the astringency of green plantain. Supports flavour without added sugars.Optional Pre-Gelatinized Flours: If local flours lack functionality for extrusion, pre-gelatinized cassava or plantain flour may be introduced to increase expansion, reduce screw torque, and improve throughput. This step enhances processing consistency and final product texture.Processing Compatibility:Optimised for twin-screw extrusion, with an output target of <4% final moisture for shelf-stable packaging.Expansion driven primarily by cassava starch with possible addition of pre-gelatinized material if needed.Post-extrusion coating via oil + dry blend is possible for flavour variants (e.g., cinnamon dust, vanilla sugar).Form Factor:Hoop-shaped for portion control, child-friendly design, and aesthetic uniqueness.Can be eaten dry as a snack or with milk as a breakfast cereal.Crunchy texture designed to remain stable in milk for 3–5 minutes.Positioning:African/Caribbean-inspired innovation using underutilised local crops.Allergen-free, vegan, and gluten-free depending on facility and supply chain integrity.Ideal for health-conscious consumers seeking better-for-you cereal/snack hybrids.
Cultural Story Telling
Hibiscus Soda - Low Sugar
Hibiscus Sparkling DrinkTradition Reimagined. Culture Elevated.Across the Caribbean and Africa, hibiscus has long been more than a drink. It’s a ceremony, celebration, and connection. Known as sorrel in the Caribbean and zobo in West Africa, it’s a cultural staple, traditionally brewed still, strong, and sweet.This sparkling version was proudly made in Barbados, the island where bold flavour meets innovation. Inspired by earlier carbonated versions like those sold in Barbados, this formula has been refined for global appeal with a lighter, more botanical profile and balanced sweetness designed for modern tastes.Sweetened with care
In place of traditional high-sugar formulations, we’ve chosen a thoughtful hybrid approach combining Barbadian cane sugar, which honors our roots, with sucralose, a modern zero-calorie sweetener. This reduces the overall sugar load without compromising flavour or texture, making the drink both calorie-conscious and culturally grounded.Why this matters
Sweetness is one of the most critical choices in beverage development. By using cane sugar sparingly alongside sucralose, we maintain mouthfeel, preserve authenticity, and meet the demand for better-for-you drinks without sacrificing what makes hibiscus sorrel.Market-ready positioning
Instantly recognisable to the Caribbean and African diaspora
Novel and health-aligned for international markets
Naturally rich in anthocyanins with wellness-forward appeal
A visual and cultural standout in any premium drinks lineupThis isn’t just a nod to nostalgia.
It’s a Barbados-born beverage, bottled with purpose and balance, built for global shelves without losing soul.
Sustainability
Plantain Ketchup
Caribbean Plantain KetchupThis formulation uses end-of-life plantains, which are typically discarded due to ripeness or surplus, as the primary base. This not only reduces food waste but also creates a culturally relevant condiment with natural sweetness and fibre.Sustainability Focus
Utilises surplus plantains to reduce post-harvest loss
Supports local agriculture and food system resilience
Demonstrates a circular economy approachFormulation Goals
Lean ingredient list with regional inputs
Priced to be at least 2 XCD less than imported ketchup
Shelf-stable with no need for refrigeration
Sweetened with minimal cane sugar or fruit reductions
Naturally thickened using plantain pulpMarket Positioning
Affordable, culturally rooted ketchup designed for both local and export markets. Ideal for schools, institutions, and households looking for flavorful, sustainable alternatives to global brands.
Superfoods
African Cookies
Laini African Cookies
Made in KenyaThis gluten-free cookie is built around baobab an underused African superfruit rich in fibre, vitamin C, and prebiotics. By placing baobab at the centre of this formulation, the product bridges tradition and innovation, offering a globally appealing snack rooted in African heritage.Ingredient Innovation
Baobab adds a citrusy tang, nutritional value, and texture to the cookie. Paired with a naturally gluten-free flour blend, it supports digestive health and offers a clean label alternative for wellness-focused consumers.Market Relevance
The global cookie market is valued at over $40 billion, with strong demand for free-from, functional, and culturally inspired snacks. This cookie responds to that demand by combining nutrition, sustainability, and story.Positioning
Laini Cookies are poised to compete in both health food and mainstream snack aisles, targeting global consumers seeking something new and meaningful. The use of baobab not only introduces African ingredients to wider markets but also supports agricultural diversification and rural economies.
Are you ready?
If you are ready to create something real and rooted, market- ready and made with purpose, let's build it together.
Protein Sources
This low-processed plant-based protein was developed as an affordable meat substitute using locally available ingredients like cassava, coconut, moringa, and pea protein. Designed for developing countries, it offers a high-protein, accessible alternative that doesn’t rely on imported raw materials or complex technology. The goal is simple, reduce food costs, boost nutrition, and create jobs with a product that’s culturally relevant and easy to produce. True Root brings plant-based eating back to its roots: practical, nourishing, and made by us, for us.
Bel Po Caribbean Luxury Skincare