Dive Brief:

• The Sweets & Snacks Expo showcased a record number of start-up brands this year, according to Food Business News. New products included boozy cakes, pistachio brittle and mushroom chips. 
• Many of these product launches feature unique twists on traditional flavors. For example, Beanitos rolled out sweet white bean twists in cinnamon and salted caramel varieties. And cotton candy maker Cotton Cravings introduced a savory mesquite version of the confection.
• Participating snack manufacturers also are experimenting with salty-sweet flavor profiles, a trend that's surging in the snack space. Legally Addictive Foods displayed its Legally Addictive Crack cookies, which are crackers layered with toffee, semi-sweet chocolate and sea salt.

Dive Insight:

Many of the products featured at this year's Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago were highly unique, but also gave insight into some up-and-coming trends in the space. For instance, vegetable chips, meat snacks and unusual, novelty flavor profiles were found in many of the snacks and confections on display. 

According to Information Resources, the vegetable chip category is booming, with an increase in sales of 17% in the past year. It makes sense that more companies are trying to get in on the action. The differentiator lies in the interesting flavors and ingredients the companies are offering. Porta Bela Chips, for example, are made from fresh mushrooms that are cooked, not fried, dehydrated or baked, and come in flavors such as chorizo jalapeno, blue cheese and onion and garlic butter and onion. 

While the products highlighted at trade shows like this might seem like great money-making ideas, it's hard to determine which trends will have staying power and which will die out. Seeing how these products rate on social media sites could be an indicator of which products will prove to be more than a fad. If people are sharing photos and talking about the items, and the pattern shows them going back for more, other consumers —and more companies with additional products —will likely follow.

Food interests come and go as consumer preferences change — especially the millennial generation, which enjoys novelty items but often moves on to the next big thing. Manufacturers of these new products need to connect with their audience early and regularly to keep interest alive.