Quinine

Quinine is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in the bark of the cinchona tree. It has a characteristically bitter taste. The compound is extracted from the bark and purified for use in food and beverages.

Quinine is primarily used as a flavouring agent, imparting a distinct bitter taste. It is most famously found in tonic water, where its bitterness is often balanced with sugar or sweeteners. It can also be found in other beverages and some food products seeking a bitter flavour profile.

Quinine is authorised as a flavouring substance in the UK and the EU. It has been evaluated by EFSA, which concluded that it is safe for use as a flavouring agent at typical levels. While quinine has medicinal uses, at the low concentrations found in food and beverages, it is not associated with significant health risks. Very high doses can cause adverse effects, but these are not typically encountered through food consumption.