bake - September/October 2024 - 48

VIRAL flavor profiles
I
n the fast-evolving world of food, both large-scale manufacturers
and artisanal producers face the constant challenge of keeping up
with shifting consumer preferences. That's why, at Taste Tomorrow,
Puratos conducts thorough, always-on analyses to provide ongoing
support and inspiration to the food industry through invaluable
consumer insights.
Puratos showcases three flavor profiles that epitomize the current
hypes and are poised to ignite innovation.
1. Premiumization by elevated flavors
Classic flavors are being reimagined
with high-end alternatives.
Consumers are on a constant quest for extraordinary taste experiences,
so Puratos spots a shift where well-known flavors such as
the classic 'coffee' and humble 'orange' make way for more distinct
options such as 'Espresso Arabica' or 'calamansi', a citrus fruit from
the Philippines. These sophisticated flavor options unite the contradictory
longing for both unique tastes and trusted options people
know and love.
The shift from traditional flavor profiles towards gourmet options
may stem from a desire to signal you're a foodie with a highly
developed palate. It's more exciting and cool to snack on a yuzu
cookie than a traditional lemon biscuit, hence the premiumization
of flavors we see happening right now. Classic options are replaced
by similar, but more high-end alternatives. Think of:
Pistachio - Sicilian pistachios
Vanilla - Madagascar vanilla
Ham and cheese - oak-smoked honey ham & emmentaler
Almond - Amaretto
Mint - Moroccan mint
Tomato - balsamic roasted cherry tomatoes
Lemon - Amalfi Coast lemons
Small-batch producer Dandelion Chocolate gives their chocolate
bars an air of luxury, exclusivity and mystique by promoting their
single-origin bars in a similar manner as wines. In a limited-edition
set of bars, they've fermented the cacao beans with a distinctive
spice. The 'Kokoa Kamili, Tanzania, 2023 Harvest, Batch 1' beans
were given a cinnamon fermentation, which leads to tasting notes
such as Devonshire cream, pear and vanilla according to the chocolate
brand. Doesn't that sound like a whole different ball game than
a simple bar of cinnamon chocolate?
2. The power of unexpected creative collaborations
A fiery fusion of comfort and excitement.
Today, 65% of consumers worldwide want to try combinations of
tastes that are unusual at first. Swicy - the combination of sweet
and spicy - perfectly hits that spot. Using spicy or heat-inducing
ingredients in traditionally sweet creations, such as cakes, sauces,
drinks, pastry and chocolate, is definitely out of the ordinary. Or at
least it used to be.
Particularly in Canada, India, Indonesia, the US and the UK,
consumers adore the use of spices and fiery condiments in sweet
applications, according to Puratos's Taste Tomorrow data. Spiciness
offers an element of excitement and novelty to traditional comforting
flavors, such as chocolate, strawberry or vanilla. And because
spiciness isn't a taste, but a sensorial experience, it brings a slight
burn or tingling sensation to the table too.
New sweet and spicy foods are often inspired by peppers or hot
48 2024
FALL CAKES
PURATOS
bake - September/October 2024

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