Dive Brief:
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Flavor supplier Comax has released its 2017 flavor trends, including four unique flavor categories, according to BevNet.
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The flavor collections include Flower Power, Spice is Nice, Smoke Out and Nostalgia Remix, which anticipate demand for floral flavors, global spices, new textures and dimensional flavors and flavors reminiscent of childhood comforts.
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"Each Comax Flavor collection is comprised of a variety of food and beverage applications such as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, beverage syrups, dairy, baked goods, confections, snacks, sauces and marinades," according to BevNet.
Dive Insight:
It seems odd that during a time when consumers are seeking more "natural" ingredients and fewer "artificial" ones in their food, analysts would discuss flavors "inspired by nature." But Comax used that very phrase to describe the four flavor categories they anticipate will soon be favorites of product developers.
While your average American food store doesn't offer much for those seeking flowery flavors, treats created from, or resembling, flowers and flower flavors abound in the blogosphere. So there's no reason to doubt that flower-powered seasonings intended for inclusion in commercially-produced foods will do well. And consider this: The Ruth's Chris Steak House chain recently featured a dinner built around the hibiscus in both food and drink specialties for one day.
And the same is true of spice-oriented flavors, given that Technavio's analysts forecast the spices and seasonings market in the US will grow at a CAGR of 6.72% during the period 2016-2020.
Will smoky flavors do as well? Or nostalgic flavors, hearkening back to days of our youth, or perhaps reminiscent of something else? Comax is betting they will, and the mere existence of web sites advising how you can add a smoky flavor to foods suggest they could be on to something. (Go easy with that burnt toast powder, though!)