Episode 56: Crafting Flavor at the Intersection of Chemistry and Curiosity, Michael Colangelo, Nota Bene Flavors

This week, we’re joined by Michael Colangelo, founder of Nota Bene Flavors.A deep interest in how chemistry connects with human perception led Michael into the world of flavor chemistry. After years in analytical chemistry and product innovation for startups, he launched Nota Bene Flavors, to bring a more thoughtful, chemistry-informed approach to flavor  creation.In this episode, we unpack:What inspired the founding of Nota Bene FlavorsWhy understanding flavor chemistry is essential for meaningful product innovationChallenges of scaling from benchtop brilliance to commercial beverage successWhy transparency, education, and community-building are vital in this spacePlus, a look ahead at what’s trending for 2026. Think fusion flavors, exotic botanicals, and clean-label beverages with a flavor-forward twist.If you work in R&D, formulation, or brand strategy, this episode is a flavor-forward must-listen. Learn more about Nota Bene Flavors: https://notabeneflavors.com