Simple should never be equivalent to boring, if done correctly. Natural, earthy flavors are projected to be more popular than ever before among consumers looking for simplicity this Spring. Between Spring cleaning projects, fresh April showers and honoring Earth Day, this month is sure to get you in the mood for simple natural flavors to match.
While new flavors and experimental flavor combinations are fun to try, simple flavors are a great way to bring balance to these foods. We project the popularity of earth-inspired, natural flavors in the Food & Beverage Industry to soar this year as health conscious consumers begin to expand the array of earthy flavors they seek through the increased consumption of novel vegetables, exotic herbs, and fresh fruit being observed in the market.
Earth Inspired
Think matcha, truffle, ube, coffee, mushroom. Anything that comes from the ground or grown on a plant that has the bitter, umami notes that we often refer to as “earthy” is included in our “Earth Inspired” flavor category. Most of these flavors are acquired tastes that grow to become adored over time. Whether it be human curiosity or stubborn tenacity, earth inspired flavors manage to continue to become increasingly popular year after year.
Earthy flavors are often used to complement other flavors. The savory complexity they possess can balance out buttery seafood, salty cheeses, and even sweet desserts in a way that keeps you coming back to uncover new layers of flavor with every bite. A few of our favorite ways to incorporate earth inspired flavors into a food or beverage product include:
- Ube Ice Cream
- Matcha Cupcakes
- Coffee Cream Sandwich Cookies
- Truffle Infused Olive Oil
- Porcini Mushroom Bone Broth
Natural & Fresh
Think vanilla bean, citrus, mint, cucumber, cocoa, almond, garlic. Each of these simple flavors have remained popular over generations due to the refreshing profile they can bring to any food or beverage item. Numbers don’t lie; market data clearly indicates that simple, natural flavors will continue to reign supreme for the next few years. The Global Vanilla Market alone is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.13% between 2024 and 2029 to reach over $1 billion in value by the end of this year1.
Fresh flavors are also expected to become increasingly popular as consumers become more health conscious. As familiarity with healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts increases, consumer demand for products that contain these types of natural flavors is sure to increase as well. A few of our favorite ways to use our premium fresh flavors include:
- Cucumber Mint Popsicles
- Black Garlic Infused Olive Oil
- Vanilla Bean Protein Shakes
- Toasted Almond Croissants
- Mango Ice Cream
Resources
1. https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/global-vanilla-industry
