Abstract: A process in which a liquid or pasty mixture containing at least one source of free amino acids and additives comprising at least one monosaccharide and, where desired, at least one sulphur-containing substance is reacted by heating. The source of free amino acids is subjected in liquid form to fractionation on a column of active carbon, some of the fractions are collected, a mixture of the fractions collected and the additives is prepared, the mixture is reacted by heating, an aromatic fraction is removed from the reaction product and/or fixed and the reaction product is dried in vacuo. The product, which has a flavor resembling in taste meat, fish or mushrooms, may be incorporated in food products such as soups, sauces, condiments and stocks.