In addition to a bouquet of Valentines Day roses, people also seem to be looking for botanical flavors in food & beverage options too! Botanical flavors are associated with beautiful, bold colors and a delicate complex flavor that feels truly premium. In fact, floral flavor profiles have grown 91% in consumer interest the past 2 years1. With so much love growing for botanicals, getting a dozen floral flavors in your inventory seems like it might just lead to an engagement…
Botanical Beverages
Thanks to the inherent botanical flavor of most teas, incorporating some of these floral flavors into other beverages is a natural fit. 55% of new beverages launched in the past two years featured a floral flavor to meet consumer demand, and it’s very likely that we will see the botanical flavor trend continue into this Spring2.
In addition to the attractive, sophisticated flavor profile, many consumers also reach for botanical flavors to impart a sense of well-being, calm, and healthfulness. For example, lavender is typically associated with relaxation while elderflower and ginger flavors have an immune-boosting connotation. Either way, adding a botanical flavor to a new product is sure to impart a feel-good effect to consumers! Our botanical flavors and their potential beverage applications could include:
Strawberry hibiscus flavored iced tea
Honey lavender flavored cold brew
Cherry blossom flavored sparkling water
Rose water coconut flavored coffee creamer
Elderflower flavored liqueur
Floral Foods
Since many botanical flavors pair well with other sweet ingredients, they lend themselves perfectly to bakery/confectionary applications. Currently, these unique, aromatic flavors are being combined with familiar flavors such as apple, pear, blackberry, etc. to create sophisticated pastries, unexpected chocolates, and exciting candies. In fact, as floral flavors become more mainstream, we might even see them start to shine on their own in the years ahead.
Aside from sweets, we are also seeing botanical flavors start to make an appearance in savory products & condiments, offering an elevated, premium re-invention of classic dishes. From 1,964 U.S. consumers, 21% reported that they would like to see more floral/herbal flavor options on restaurant menus when dining out4. Whether it be lemongrass chicken or rosewater & basil infused olive oil, the possibilities for botanical flavors in the future are endless! With a CAGR of 5.1% between now and 2028, the floral flavors market is likely here to stay3. Botanical flavor application in food products could include:
Alas, a sophisticated twist on a simple childhood favorite! Our Natural Bourbon Pecan Flavor pairs perfectly with Jogue’s premium Madagascar vanilla extract in this sweet & buttery shortbread cookie recipe.
How to Make Bourbon Pecan Shortbread Cookies:
Step 1: Prepare a cookie sheet by lightly greasing it with non-stick spray and set aside.
Step 2: Cream the sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolk, salt, Jogue Natural Bourbon Pecan Extract, and Jogue Madagascar Vanilla Extract. Beat the mixture again until all of the ingredients are well incorporated.
Step 3: Add the flour and toasted chopped pecans to the butter mixture. Mix gently until the dry ingredients are just incorporated.
Step 4: On a floured surface, roll the dough into a 1 ½ inch diameter log. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Step 5: Preheat the oven to 325F. Slice the chilled cookie dough into ¼ inch thick slices. Arrange the slices of cookie dough on the prepared cookie sheet. Top each one with a pecan half and brush the top with the beaten egg white.
Step 6: Bake for 14-16 minutes, let cool, and drizzle each shortbread cookie with melted chocolate. Enjoy!
That’s right: spicy flavors are on the rise! According to a recent article from The Food Institute, “Complex Heat” was deemed to be the top trend in Food & Beverage the past year and it’s likely to continue1. Pairing spicy flavors with familiar ones is likely to become especially popular. Consumer interest for flavor combinations such as hot honey, mango habanero, and watermelon chili has been exploding as more people are traveling internationally again & seeking the unexpected2,3.
A Complicated Relationship
The Today Show recently coined the term “swicy” to describe the next hot thing on restaurant menus (no pun intended). That seems to now be carrying over to CPG items on grocery store shelves too! This endearing term refers to the popular complexity of a sweet & spicy flavor pairing that seems to be driven by adventurous millennial and GenZ consumers.
By pairing daring spicy flavors with exotic fruit flavors, companies have the chance to appeal to several people whether they’re looking for global flavors, adventurous flavors, or simply a complex flavor combination that will have them coming back for more. According to Datassential, hot honey alone is expected to soar above nearly all other food & beverage flavors by 2027- leading us to assume that this sweet & spicy relationship is finally becoming official. A few of our favorite “swicy” flavor pairing we can offer for any application include:
Jalapeño bourbon bacon flavored jam
Chili pepper chocolate flavored ice cream
Chipotle maple flavored barbeque sauce
Habanero raspberry flavored vinegarette
Guajillo chili flavored simple syrup
Expect more Unexpected
Between the increasing influence of social media and changes in the average consumer’s lifestyle that seems to be promoting an open-minded, adventure-seeking mindset, the Food & Beverage Industry should be preparing for a boom in bold spicy flavors in 2024. With a 138% growth in spicy flavors used in products this past year according to Mintel, it is very likely that this flavor trend is here to stay for the new year4.
Turns out, spicy flavors are being sought out by 71% of consumers5. As a response to this bold demand, spicy flavors are being infused into several unexpected applications. For example, Hellmann’s Spicy Mayonnaise and Ruffles’ Spicy Dill Pickle Flavored Chips were two unexpected viral products that leveraged the new consumer preference for spice. Additionally, unexpected variations of spicy flavors may also be trending this year due to increased global influence. Although slight, the nuanced flavor differences between a habanero, ancho, and guajillo chili might be just enough to peak consumers’ interest in trying something new.
The warm spices of chai tea paired with a sweet, vanilla-frosted cupcake is the perfect treat to bake for cold winter months. Made with carefully crafted natural flavors and premium pure Madagascar vanilla extract, these mini cupcakes are sure to become a household favorite!
How To Make Chai Spice Mini Cupcakes:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325F. Line a mini muffin tin with cupcake liners and set aside. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small mixing bowl. Sift well and set aside.
Step 2: In a separate mixing bowl, combine the butter and sugar. Beat on a high speed until fluffy in texture, about 2 minutes. Add the egg, olive oil, Jogue Chai Spice Flavor, and Jogue Vanilla Extract to the butter mixture. Beat well for about one minute. While the electric mixer is set to a low speed, carefully add in the flour mixture and half & half until just combined.
Step 3: Fill each cupcake liner with batter until they are about ¾ full. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 15 minutes
Step 4: Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting. Garnish with a dash of cinnamon & enjoy!
‘Tis the season for unpredictable family parties, busy end-of-year workdays, and colder weather: the perfect storm to have us craving our old favorite comfort foods. In an otherwise complicated, stressful world, nostalgic flavors have a way of taking us back to positive emotions2. A recent report from Mintel found that 76% of Americans between the ages of 22 and 55 enjoy foods more that remind them of past memories1. As a response, more new products are beginning to feature some of the long-established flavors we all know and love.
Elevated Old
With the increasing popularity of nostalgic flavors, several companies within the food industry have taken inspiration from this trend for their premium products. Going into 2024- the age of opinionated social media influencers- elevating retro flavors is more important than ever to stand out in an over-saturated market.
Elevating nostalgic flavors by incorporating them into a decadent dessert, premium ice cream, or high-end appetizer can bring a playful, light-hearted tone to any event (or any cozy winter night on the couch). Not only can elevated old flavors enhance a feeling of connection and well-being, but they can also offer an exciting new way to enjoy flavors from the past! Ideas for your brand can include:
Orange creamsicle flavored torte
Frosted flakes flavored gelato
Gingersnap flavored cold brew oat milk latte
Butterscotch flavored macaroons
Root Beer flavored probiotic soda
Novel Nostalgia
Beyond simply throwing classic flavors into sophisticated foods, re-introducing nostalgic products in a fun & innovative way is becoming just as trendy. As GenZ begins to start participating in the product market, it’s important to recognize that they may not have experienced the beloved food products from the 90’s firsthand. By incorporating the flavors from these old food products into novel items, companies have the opportunity to reach both older and younger consumers.
For example, Dunkaroos- which were discontinued in 2012- came back to the market with new innovations in 2020 & proved to be a hit. Yoplait is another brand that has used the concept of “Novel Nostalgia” successfully by launching a 90’s themed line of low-fat yogurt inspired by Skittles, Gushers, and Starburst flavors3. Re-inventing nostalgic flavors into novel products that invoke curiosity & capture attention may be a strategic approach for your brand:
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