The effects of Covid-19 are also influencing this year beverage flavour manufacturers’ trends, with flavours and fruits associated with health and immunity extremely popular – but strong and exotic flavours as well as botanicals will also be significant in 2022.
Exploding new flavors exported worldwide by beverage flavour manufacturers
Sour & exotic: anything but boring
Citrus fruits are continuing to make it big in all varieties. Their sour notes top off sweet flavours perfectly. Not only are citrus flavours the ultimate refreshment with a less sweet flavour profile, they also resonate with consumers who want to boost their immune system with healthy food and drink. Soft drink flavour manufacturers focus on classics like orange, grapefruit and lemon joined by pink grapefruit, lime, yuzu, clementine and pomelo. The popularity of sour flavours can also be seen in the use of sour cherry as well.
Taking citrus fruits as an example, people’s desire for “exotic” flavours has also been apparent since 2020. For instance, 63 per cent of global consumers find exotic foods and beverages from around the world appealing. In addition, 74 percent of global consumers say they like products with new, unusual tastes. This “exotic effect” can be achieved, for example, with citrus fruits such as yuzu, calamansi, tamarind, but also with cardamom, bergamot, fig, orange blossom, blood orange, guava or mango, chili and lime. RTD premium cocktails, mocktails and other mixed drinks are best suited for “staycations!”
Spicy & earthy flavours are popular
Herbs, spices, mushrooms and roots with an earthy character are increasingly finding their way into drink bottles. Consider turmeric, maca, ginseng, green tea leaves, ashwagandha, cinnamon, hemp and cardamom: many recipes with earthy flavours use ingredients commonly found in recipes already popular in ancient China.
Overall, 74% of global launches of shots in the past three years have contained spicy flavours, with ginger and turmeric being the most common. But ginseng is also proving to be a popular ingredient. According to Mintel, for example, 70% of consumers in China say ginseng as a herbal ingredient can help improve their immune system.
More natural flavours, even in confectionery
A trend towards natural products and the use of botanicals/herbs such as lavender is also emerging in confectionery. Hemp & CBD are also a hot topic in this segment. According to Mintel, the top chocolate flavours from 2018 to 2021 were hazelnut, caramel, almond, orange and praline, meaning hazelnut remains the most popular flavour of chocolate.
In baked goods, after pure, non-flavoured products, chocolate, cocoa and vanilla top the flavour hit list. These are followed by butter, milk chocolate, almond, dark chocolate, coconut and lemon. In terms of total volume, vanilla and butter are still people’s favourite flavours. Chocolate and hazelnut show the biggest growth potential.
Read More: Why does Plant-based beverage manufacture become hot?
WANA Beverage’s trending flavors
Our R&D team is always researching to combine traditional fruit flavors, mix and match to come up with new flavors. WANA’s goal is to balance flavors, stay fresh and leave a lasting impression. Besides processing according to customers’ needs, WANA promises to accompany partners to create the most trending and market-leading flavors.
The issues of health and well-being, the desire for new flavour creations and enjoyment with a clear conscience are at the top of consumers’ wish lists. This means fruit and botanicals associated with a stronger immune system are of great importance. Exotic flavours reminiscent of travelling to distant lands have become particularly popular during the pandemic. These include citrus fruits in particular, but also spicy and earthy ingredients such as ginger and turmeric. Which are slowly becoming mainstream flavours, especially in the premium segment. In general, botanicals such as herbs, flowers, spices and roots will continue to be increasingly popular as ingredients and flavour carriers in beverages.
In addition, brown flavours and classic flavours which are reminiscent of childhood days and evoke nostalgic feelings are once again in vogue. Big and bold flavours with strong notes such as chocolate, caramel and coffee, but also cherry and strawberry, are making a big comeback.
Beverage flavor manufacturers are always working day and night to create new flavors. Maybe in the future, customers will prioritize products with more explosive and authentic flavors. Or, oddly enough, we will see flavors that were only experienced in food and now also in soft drinks.
ASIA FOOD AND BEVERAGE COMPANY LIMITED (ASIA FOOD AND BEVERAGE CO.,LTD)
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