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:

• Strawberry Basil flavored toaster pastries
• Orange Blossom flavored stir fry sauce
• Jasmine & Grapefruit flavored macaroons
• Rose infused chocolate truffles
• Blueberry Lavender flavored ice cream