📰 2-Ethyl-3(5 or 6)-Dimethylpyrazine: A Versatile Roasted Flavor Compound for Food and Flavor Applications

Published: July 24, 2026

Category: Flavor & Fragrance

2-Ethyl-3(5 or 6)-Dimethylpyrazine (CAS 55031-15-7), also known as 2-乙基-3,5(6)-二甲基吡嗪, is an important pyrazine aroma compound with the molecular formula C₈H₁₂N₂ and molecular weight 136.19. It is widely recognized in the flavor industry as FEMA 3149.

This compound provides a strong roasted, nutty, cocoa-like, coffee-like, and baked aroma profile. Due to its excellent aroma intensity and flavor-enhancing properties, it is widely used in the development of food flavors, beverages, seasonings, and specialty aroma formulations.

CAS 55031-15-7 represents a mixture of positional isomers, mainly including 2-Ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine and 2-Ethyl-3,6-dimethylpyrazine, which is commonly used in commercial flavor applications.

🌟 Unique Aroma Characteristics

Pyrazines are important aroma components formed during thermal processing reactions such as roasting and baking. 2-Ethyl-3(5 or 6)-Dimethylpyrazine contributes rich roasted and toasted notes, including:

• ☕ Freshly roasted coffee aroma
• 🍫 Cocoa and chocolate notes
• 🥜 Toasted nut characteristics
• 🍞 Baked and cereal-like aroma
• 🥩 Cooked and savory flavor notes

Because of its strong odor impact at low concentrations, it is frequently used by flavor professionals to enhance natural and authentic flavor impressions.

🔬 Applications

☕ Coffee & Beverage Flavors

2-Ethyl-3(5 or 6)-Dimethylpyrazine is widely used in coffee flavor systems to provide deep roasted and earthy notes. It is commonly applied in:

• Instant coffee
• Ready-to-drink coffee beverages
• Espresso flavors
• Coffee extracts
• Cappuccino and latte flavor formulations

It helps improve roasted coffee intensity and creates a more realistic freshly brewed coffee profile.

🍫 Chocolate & Cocoa Products

Due to its cocoa-like and roasted characteristics, this compound is an important ingredient in chocolate flavor development.

Applications include:

• Chocolate flavor concentrates
• Cocoa beverages
• Chocolate desserts
• Confectionery products
• Cocoa-based bakery fillings

It enhances the richness and depth of chocolate aroma profiles.

🥜 Nut Flavors

The roasted and toasted aroma of 2-Ethyl-3(5 or 6)-Dimethylpyrazine makes it suitable for various nut flavor formulations, including:

• Peanut flavor
• Almond flavor
• Hazelnut flavor
• Walnut flavor
• Sesame flavor
• Roasted seed flavors

It provides authentic roasted characteristics and improves overall flavor complexity.

🍞 Bakery & Cereal Products

This ingredient is commonly used in bakery flavor systems where roasted and baked notes are required.

Typical applications:

• Cookies
• Biscuits
• Bread flavors
• Cakes
• Crackers
• Breakfast cereals
• Toasted grain products

It helps recreate the aroma generated during baking and roasting processes.

🥩 Meat & Savory Flavor Applications

Pyrazine compounds are important contributors to cooked and roasted meat aromas. 2-Ethyl-3(5 or 6)-Dimethylpyrazine is used in:

• Beef flavors
• Chicken flavors
• Barbecue flavors
• Grilled meat seasonings
• Instant food seasonings
• Savory sauces

It enhances roasted, grilled, and cooked flavor characteristics.

🍿 Snack Seasonings

It is widely applied in snack flavor formulations, including:

• Potato chips
• Popcorn seasonings
• Extruded snacks
• Nuts and seeds snacks
• Savory snack coatings

Its roasted aroma helps create attractive and appetizing flavor profiles.

🧂 Seasoning & Condiment Industry

It is used in compound seasonings and flavor blends for:

• Instant noodles
• Soup bases
• Sauce formulations
• Spice mixtures
• Savory seasoning powders

It improves the roasted and umami-related aroma experience.

🧪 Flavor Research & Aroma Development

Flavor companies and research institutions use this compound as an important reference material and aroma ingredient for:

• Flavor formulation studies
• Aroma analysis
• Pyrazine compound research
• New food flavor development

Its stable properties make it suitable for professional flavor creation.

📋 Product Information

🌍 Growing Demand in Flavor Industry

With increasing demand for natural, authentic, and complex flavor profiles, pyrazine-based aroma compounds continue to play an important role in food innovation.

2-Ethyl-3(5 or 6)-Dimethylpyrazine remains a valuable ingredient for flavor manufacturers seeking to develop high-quality roasted, coffee, cocoa, nut, and savory flavor solutions.

Supported by reliable supply capability, strict quality control, and complete technical documentation including COA, SDS, and TDS, we provide professional solutions for global flavor and food ingredient customers.