As we come to the end of Q3, here at Plant-Ex we would love to share some of our exciting new flavour launches to get you inspired.
Sweet Flavours
Rainbow Candy Flavour – This sweet and juicy flavour is growing in popularity amongst consumers with a CAGR of +11.50%. Rainbow Candy Flavour has been found to excel in sports powders, the most popular category for the flavour by far (1). Beyond sports nutrition, we think this flavour would have excellent application in ice lollies and both hard and gummy candy confectionery.
Orange Liqueur Flavour – Tangy with an alcoholic punch – this product packs all the flavour of the alcoholic beverage without the alcoholic content. With a CAGR of +18.92% (2), this flavour is a must-have for your next creation! The products on the shelves that most commonly use this flavour are cakes, pastries & sweet goods and chocolate (2). Why not try it in a non-alcoholic beverage or a creamy croissant filling?
Date Flavour – Nicknamed ‘nature’s candy’, this sweet, caramellic treat imparts a delectable flavour perfect for lots of food and beverage applications. Figure 1 demonstrates the top flavour combinations for dates, including almond, coconut & cocoa (3). So why not try a date and Belgian chocolate hot chocolate or a coconut and date cupcake?
Manuka Honey Powder – This is a rich and deliciously sweet ingredient. Manuka honey provides a plethora of benefits including anti-inflammation, antioxidants, natural sweetness and a gorgeous flavour.
The benefits of our powder Manuka honey product include its suitability for dry applications e.g. snacks, powders & soups, it provides easy surface wipe down and quick pouring!
Savoury
Cream Cheese Flavour – More consumers are making the shift to plant-based alternatives; the top 5 consumer drivers of this movement are health, the planet, to bring variety to their diets, taste and price (4). A challenge within the industry is creating plant-based products that deliver the same or a better taste experience than their non-plant-based counterparts. It is vital to get this right as taste was voted the factor that consumers are least likely to compromise on when choosing plant-based alternatives (4). At Plant-Ex we have a range of delicious and effective dairy replacement flavours to help you out.
Our cream cheese flavour has excellent applications in a range of products including a vegan creamy pasta sauce or decadent cheesecake. Alternatively, this product can be used as a cheaper ingredient to enhance the cream cheese flavour of a dairy product.
Butter – Similarly, our butter flavour works as a brilliant dairy replacement to create deliciously rich plant-based alternatives. This product delivers a creamy buttery flavour, perfect for food and beverage applications. Although it is a staple, butter flavour is still growing in popularity with a +8.23% CAGR (5).
Beyond plant-based and allergen-free applications, our butter flavour is a great ingredient solution to reduce fat and calorie content. Why not try it in a sweet plant-based rich buttery croissant or a savoury garlic butter spread?
Garden Mint Flavour – Spearmint or Garden Mint is a classic flavour that almost delivers a cooling effect in the mouth. Furthermore, mint boasts adaptogenic benefits including aiding digestion – this creates positive perceptions surrounding the flavour in the mind of the consumers; Innova identified floral flavours as a top 5 macro flavour trend for 2024 (6).
Beyond the classic gum application (7) this flavour would work to elevate a yoghurt dip or bring a sophisticated twist to a soft drink or cocktail.
Wasabi Flavour Powder – This zingy flavour packs a punch! Know for its ‘clean spice’ flavour that feels to clear out your sinuses, this flavour brings an exciting peppery dimension to any food or beverage product. With a +8.54% CAGR, it is clear that consumers are after this flavour (8). Originating from Japan, this flavour will add an Asian twist to your products; Innova identified global flavours to be a 2024 macro flavour trend (6).
Top applications include snacks, nuts & seeds, table sauces and potato-based snacks. Why not try a wasabi tomato ketchup or a beef and wasabi potato chip? Take a look at some of the top flavour pairings for wasabi in Figure 2.
Sources:
(1) Innova Database – Global – Past 5 Years – Candy Flavour – Search: Rainbow
(2) Innova Database – Global – Past 5 Years – Liqueur Flavour – Search: Orange
(3) Innova Database – Global – Past 5 Years – Date Flavour
(4) Innova Report – Plant-Based: Unlocking a New Narrative – Top 10 Trends
(5) Innova Database – Global – Past 5 Years – Butter Flavour
(6) Innova Report – Top Flavors Trends for 2024 – Global
(7) Innova Database – Global – Past 5 Years – Spearmint Flavour
(8) Innova Database – Global – Past 5 Years – Wasabi Flavour
