In a world that continues to be more connected than ever, consumers are looking for global, adventurous flavor experiences, according to the experts at Beck Flavors. The company forecasted the emerging flavors of 2023 by analyzing preferences, mega trends and buyer behaviors in 2022. After an extensive audit, flavor winners were chosen in the fruit, botanical, indulgent and innovation categories.
Garden Mint, Spicy Tamarind and More
Based on research in the food and beverage industry, Beck Flavors determined that the 2023 Flavors of the Year will be Carnival Grape, Garden Mint, Orange-Glazed Cinnamon Roll and Spicy Tamarind.
For a taste of adventure, consumers will seek innovative flavors in 2023 that are unexpected because it helps them become familiar with the unfamiliar, according to Beck Flavors. Thus, the company said this year's innovative flavor is Spicy Tamarind. Its flavor ranges from sweet and sour to tangy and tart, and it can be combined with sweet flavors like pineapple or caramel. With a touch of heat from chili peppers, the flavors will transform into a taste that's unforgettable.
And with much of the population practicing budget-conscious shopping, it's become more apparent that when shoppers treat themselves, they want something worth-while, noted Beck Flavors. While indulgence is often viewed negatively, the self-care practice of indulgence can improve emotional and mental well-being. Taking into account the combination of sweetness, citrus and self-care, Beck Flavors chose Orange Glazed Cinnamon Roll as the indulgent flavor of 2023.
In addition to being indulgent, people can also exercise self-care through health consciousness, mental wellness and immune system care, said Beck Flavors. Considering those trends, the company’s flavor of the year in the botanical category goes to Garden Mint, a rejuvenating flavor centered around mindfulness. Garden Mint provides a unique freshness that's difficult to replicate, a brightness that stimulates the senses, and an aroma that is shown to decrease anxiety and improve sleep, per the company.
Beck Flavors also pointed out that a certain flavor or aroma can take consumers back to a treasured memory or feeling, or even transport them to a new world altogether. Very few flavors can capture both feelings, leading to the selection for fruit flavor of the year – Carnival Grape, which features a burst of sweet carnival-appropriate flavor, with plenty of that classic grape flavor. Beck Flavor noted that there are many unique grape varieties that offer sweetness, health benefits and that nostalgic “X-factor.” And the trends show that grape is currently at the forefront of a resurgence across many categories in the food and beverage arena.
The Power of Nostalgia and Strange Brews
According to Lyons Magnus, a global foodservice and ingredient source, some of the emerging trends that will influence the food and beverage industry in 2023 are the “power of nostalgia” and “strange brews,” among others.
John Koch, vice president of national accounts for Lyons Magnus, said, “These trends are the cornerstone for innovative products and recipe creation."
Lyons Magnus expects to see nostalgic offerings across all types of food and beverage categories, as consumers continue to gravitate towards comforting and familiar beverages, flavors and cuisines. Indeed, consumers will seek nostalgic-style recipes and tastes to bring the “warm fuzzies” in 2023.
The firm also noted that the food and beverage space will see more “brewed alternatives” to traditional teas and coffees. A couple of alternatives that caught their attention include yaupon, a species of holly and one of only two known plants indigenous to the United States that contain caffeine, which can be brewed to make a pleasant tasting, energizing tea; and Japanese hojicha tea, a green tea that is first steamed and then roasted before steeping, which has benefits that include antioxidants, stress release and reduced cholesterol.
Lyons Magnus said the food and beverage space can also expect to see more caffeinated alternatives in general being offered – such as innovative refreshers and energy drinks.
Watch for Toasted Black Sesame in 2023
Torani, a leader in the flavor industry since 1925, recently revealed its 2023 Flavor of the Year – Toasted Black Sesame.
Black sesame seeds are a versatile ingredient, prevalent in a number of Asian cuisines, including Japanese, Chinese and Indian dishes, but you can also find black sesame in some tea, tea lattes and boba teas. They’re commonly used in both savory and sweet beverages and foods, and they have a notably richer, nuttier flavor compared to their white sesame counterpart, which is amplified even further when the seeds are toasted.
Torani’s new Puremade Toasted Black Sesame Syrup is a distinctive, globally inspired flavor, and it joins the company’s diverse lineup of over 150 syrups and sauces.
“Our team puts years of research and development into our Flavor of the Year, and Torani Puremade Black Sesame Syrup again showcases our passion and dedication for being an amazing flavor company,” said Melanie Dulbecco, CEO at Torani.
Torani’s Puremade Toasted Black Sesame Syrup leans into two major consumer trends, according to the company. The first is “culinary tourism,” characterized by consumers’ desire to experience other cultures by tasting their most interesting flavors. The second trend is “Instagrammable” experiences, driven by Gen Z’s growing interest in bright, eye-catching, and highly photogenic foods and beverages.
Overall, black sesame’s popularity has grown in recent years, as indicated by a steady increase in online searches over the last 15 years, according to Google Trends data.
London Fog, Mangonada and Cherry Blossom
Datassential, a leading insights platform that connects the dots between consumers and the food and beverage industry, also unveiled its trends to watch in 2023, as well as some of the flavors that consumers will crave in 2023.
The firm noted that some of the flavors and ingredients that will be everywhere in 2023 include London Fog, Mangonada, Yuzu, Spicy Maple and New Mushrooms, among others. Looking ahead, one of their noted ingredients to watch in 2023 and beyond is Cherry Blossom.
To learn more about Beck Flavors, Lyons Magnus, Torani and Datassential, visit BeckFlavors.com, LyonsMagnus.com, Torani.com and Datassential.com.
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World Tea Conference + Expo, March 27-29, 2023
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