Flavor Insights
Spicing Up the New Year
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.
- Ancho chili pineapple flavored gummies
- Scorpion pepper flavored steak sauce
- Red pepper flavored olive oil
- Sriracha flavored alfredo sauce
- Jalapeño cheddar flavored croissants
Company Insights, Flavor Insights, Recipe Highlight
Chai Spice Mini Cupcakes
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!
Flavor Insights
‘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:
- Cool ranch flavored lentil chips
- Peanut butter & jelly flavored sandwich cookies
- Apple cider flavored donuts
- Cotton candy flavored popcorn
- S’mores flavored coffee creamer
References
1.“Trending Flavors: Co-Branding and Collaborations in Desserts.” Mintel, 10 Jan. 2023, www.mintel.com/food-and-drink-market-news/trending-flavors-co-branding-and-collaborations-in-desserts-and-confections.
2. Vignolles, Alexandra, and Paul-Emmanuel Pichon. “A taste of nostalgia.” Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, vol. 17, no. 3, 2014, pp. 225–238, https://doi.org/10.1108/qmr-06-2012-0027.
3.“Nostalgia in the Food & Beverage Space.” FONA, 2 May 2022, www.fona.com/articles/2021/11/nostalgia-in-the-food–beverage-space.
Flavor Insights
November: the month of Fall festivals, school activity craziness, football tailgates, in-office work schedules, and the beginnings of holiday preparation. Between our busier schedules and chillier weather, craving the decadent, gourmet comfort foods our retired grandmas would spend all day in the kitchen preparing is nearly inevitable. With lack of time and interest in investing that level of effort, consumers are now seeking convenient foods that taste gourmet.
Gourmet Flavors for Easy Meals
There are two important consumer insights to consider highlighted in a recent 2023 IFT article1:
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- 75% of people in the United States are consumers of specialty foods, according to the Specialty Food Association
- 48% of people in the United States use a combination of pre-prepared food products and raw ingredients when preparing meals, according to the Food Marketing Institute
Although it may seem like a dichotomy to demand both convenience AND the artisan, elevated taste of specialty foods, several innovative products have recently been released to meet this unmet need by infusing novel flavors in otherwise standard pre-prepared products & “just add water” blends2.
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- Black garlic infused alfredo sauce
- Lemongrass chicken stir fry
- Bitter orange & grapefruit citrus marmalade
- Birthday cake almond butter
- Pink Peppercorn Honey Yuzu Vinaigrette
Snack Attack
Snacks are officially on the rise, although I’m sure that may come as no surprise if you also fall into the 45% of people who report eating three or more snacks per day4.
Since convenient packaged snacks are beginning to replace true meals for working professionals, the demand for gourmet, elevated flavors are more prevalent than ever before. According to Mintel, flavor seems to be the most important attribute to consumers when purchasing snack food items by a landslide.
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- Tajin mango gummy bears
- Ginger caramel white chocolate covered pretzels
- Ube mochi
- Pandan peach snack cakes
- Maple cardamom popcorn
References
1.“The Top 10 Food Trends of 2023.” IFT.Org, www.ift.org/news-and-publications/food-technology-magazine/issues/2023/april/features/the-top-10-food-trends-of-2023#anchor-6c75041b-987f-47b4-89fe-4f403dabed6d. Accessed 11 Sept. 2023.
2.“We’ve Predicted the Biggest Food Trends You’ll See in 2023.” Food Network, www.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/news/food-network-trend-predictions-2023. Accessed 11 Sept. 2023.
3.“2023 Food Industry Trends: Food Industry Consulting.” Clarkston Consulting, 24 July 2023, clarkstonconsulting.com/insights/2023-food-industry-trends/.
4. Person. “Snacking 2023 Trend Bite.” FONA, 3 Feb. 2023, www.fona.com/articles/2023/01/snacking-2023-trend-bite.
Flavor Insights
With 78% of Americans looking forward to seasonal food products throughout the year, the demand for all things pumpkin, gingerbread, and praline always seems to reach its peak over the holidays. Not only do these limited-time flavors feel fresh and exciting but they also evoke the feelings of nostalgia and comfort we find ourselves seeking this time of year. Read more to discover how we can help you bring these sought-after seasonal flavors to your products.
Seasonal Flavors for Beverages
Pumpkin spice lattes have been coming out sooner than ever the past few years, backed by customer demand!
According to Mintel, over half of Millennials and GenZ consumers prefer seeing seasonal ingredients in coffee and tea year-round. It’s only natural for companies in the beverage category to take advantage of this seasonal flavor trend sooner rather than later. A few of our personal favorite flavors we create include:
- Eggnog flavored latte
- Sugar cookie flavored tea
- Praline coffee syrup
- Gingerbread flavored ground coffee
- White chocolate pumpkin flavored coffee creamer
Beyond coffee and tea, adding seasonal flavors to canned beverages, cocktail mixes, and craft beer in recent years has also exploded in popularity in response to this trend. From spiced cider flavored sparkling water to a pumpkin flavored brew to a cranberry mule, a seasonal flavor addition seems to be welcomed by consumers across the board.
Seasonal Specialties
Winter holidays, parties, and reunions have a way of almost inevitably being centered around special family recipes and specialty foods that only appear during this time of year. Seasonally flavored specialties not only remind us all of past memories, but also connects us with others who have shared similar experiences.
- Persimmon pumpkin pie
- Ginger pear tart
- Cranberry pistachio dinner rolls
- Apple pie ricotta waffles
- Peppermint wafer cookies
By simply incorporating a few of our seasonal flavors in your specialty food product, it will be sure to shine among the rest on retail shelves this season!
References
“Our 2022 Guide to Winter Flavors.” Flavor Insights, 2 Mar. 2022, flavorinsights.com/insights/our-2022-guide-to-winter-flavors/.
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