KUMQUATS VANILLA BEANS ZHUG SACHA INCHI & HOW TO RECOGNIZE THEM EARTHY FLAVORS Lately, it seems that the biggest trend in food is tracking food trends. Everyone has a list of what’s “in” and what’s “out.” Which trends will stick and which are just fads? In food, as in the universe, Here are a few trends to keep BOWLS GROWN-UP ICE CREAM for every action, there is an an eye on: Ramen, Poke and Buddha Advances in at-home ice equal and opposite reaction. bowls are all rising in popularity. cream makers means it’s CLEAN LABELS For every new, exotic flavor, They’re filled with grains, easier than ever to make your there’s renewed interest in Consumers are demanding vegetables and lean proteins, own! Restaurant flavors range comfort food. For instance, foods that have easily are considered good for you from Foie Gras to Spiced slow braising vs. coal fired pronounceable as well as and they’re easier to eat at Chocolate and Strawberry pizza. That means it’s best to understandable ingredients. your desk. Kale with Basil. look for trends on both ends For many consumers, clean of the spectrum. equals healthy. EARTHY FLAVORS Flavors gaining ground MEAT ALTERNATIVES So, what’s on the radar include: Syrian, Moroccan, screen? Health & wellness, Making vegetables palatable Israeli, Turkish, Indian and convenience, environmental to carnivores has gained Ethiopian. Think cardamom, impact, customization, momentum with cauliflower curry, za’atar, garam masala. authenticity and emotional steaks, veggie burgers that These heat-released spices connections influence food “bleed” beet blood and are enhanced by cooking trends. jackfruit. and often include a splash of lemon, orange or rose water to make the flavors pop. BABY BUNDT CAKES Bye-bye cronut, hello Kouign- THE ENVIRONMENT Amann– a Breton butter cake. Food waste and climate Step aside cupcakes, baby change, specifically, are on bundt cakes are the new kids people’s minds. Chefs are in town. working to reduce waste in their operations by MINIMALLY PROCESSED incorporating into their FOODS menus foods that would Natural, wholesome ingredients otherwise be thrown out. This are finding their way into is to help minimize climate cocktails, as mixologists are change. borrowing directly from the kitchen. Herbs, Kombucha and other healthy add-ins are common. Spotlight GLOBAL FLAVORS The fascination with global flavors Flavor Profile: sour, tart, Kumquats citrus tang with a touch of continues to grow. Chefs and brands sweetness. alike look for the next big ingredient. Native to South Asia, Kumquats are the small Applications: Kumquats With the help of Datassential, Nielsen- tart citrus fruits grown on can be enjoyed at breakfast, Massey Vanillas predicts three rising evergreen shrubs, lunch, dinner and dessert. flavors bound for menus and grocery resembling tiny oranges. They add exotic appeal as a Unlike other fruits in the garnish or in a compote atop stores worldwide. citrus family, Kumquats are ice cream or consumed whole, peel and pound cake. all. The peel offers a bit of This fruit sweetness to compliment can also be the tartness of the interior. used in salads Kumquats are great for and salsas, as those looking for a citrus well as glazes option outside of the norm. for seafood and poultry. Kumquats are also great with cocktails. Sacha Inchi Flavor Profile: mild and nutty. Applications: Sacha Inchi A rising star in the health can be added to smoothies, category, Sacha Inchi, a salads and trail mixes. crunchy seed from Peru, is a Roasted, it can be enjoyed superfood with high protein on its own. Due to its content and omega-3 oils. Flavor Profile: hot, spicy, nutty flavor, it pairs well with It’s from a perennial plant Zhug subtle earthy notes, touch chocolate or caramel. that produces geometric Although not an ingredient, of citrus. seed-bearing pods. With by definition, this spicy Applications: Zhug is high demand for plant- Middle Eastern sauce offers traditionally used with meat based, protein-rich tasty heat that consumers kabobs, falafels and ingredients, brands are sure to love. Native to shawarmas but also makes will feature it in snack Yemen, Zhug (also known a great addition to artisan bars, trail mixes and as skhug or sahaw) is made burgers. This fiery codiment protein powders. with coriander and cumin can be used with yogurt, seeds, hot peppers, herbs sour cream or hummus as a and spices. flavorful dip for vegetables. Source: Datassential (2017) Tips: Trends. Insights. Perspectives. Sightings (Issue 47). Retrieved from datassential.com. Datassential (2017) On the Menu Report (Issue 48). Retrieved from datassential.com. FLAVOR COMBINATIONS SIMPLE SYRUP One of the biggest trends is Blueberry Pie Cappuccino Spiced Magic Carpet Bad Ass Margarita Madras DIY. Add your own creative Fresh berries A little Bring the with a hint of chocolate Unexpected flavors of The earthy twist and know exactly what a cinnamon and makes this heat is big this Morocco flavors of dish is made of. These syrups lemon hit all coffee syrup year. Adding to life by India are a the high notes burst a little spice steeping great can be used in coffee, to soak of pie without with flavor. to lime syrup cardamom complement cakes or as a base for your all the work. gives you the pods in to cakes and own specialty sodas. Let the Coffee perfect, non- simple syrup, beverages. Crushed alcoholic kick. finished with a flavors blend for a few hours Blueberries Chocolate splash of rose Turmeric before use, strain if needed Crushed water. Cinnamon Cinnamon Chilies Allspice and keep refrigerated. Cardamom Lemon Lime Pods Orange Blossom Rose Water Water FLAVOR COMBINATIONS BEURRE BLANC Beurre Blancs have become Orange Trinidad West Indian All Star Indy Masala and more mainstream, but these Rosemary This creamy Pair curry A creamy À la Chicken sauce brings flavors with a sauce that Tikka Masala, flavor combinations make Citrus and a taste of the touch of heat blends butter this blend them anything but mundane. rosemary are islands to and orange and earthy of Garam the perfect seafood. blossom notes – Masala, Try them on fish, chicken, combination. water. perfect for tomato and vegetables or pork for a new Try it on pork Garlic pork chops. lemon tastes tenderloin. Cayenne like India. twist on a simple sauce — Clove Star Anis just start with a pint of your Chopped Cinnamon Garam Rosemary Ginger Cinnamon Masala beurre blanc before straining. Curry Orange Cardamom Sun-Dried Orange Tomatoes Blossom Water Lemon FLAVOR COMBINATIONS CRÈME BRÛLÉE Classic French cuisine is still in White Almond Orange Citrus Mexican Chocolate Cappuccino Mascarpone Cardamom Coffee vogue. Nothing is better than Mint Almond- It’s a Earthy spices A hint of breaking through the crisp Chocolate scented creamsicle, combine spice brings caramel of a Crème Brûlée and mint cappuccino but all grown to give you an extra are a classic gives a nod up. a depth of dimension to to reach the creamy custard combination. to Amaretto flavor usually this coffee inside —the delectable dessert White without the Mascarpone found in custard. chocolate’s alcohol base. Indian food. with an endless array of creaminess Orange Chilies flavors. Add these flavors to is perfect for Almond Cardamom a pint of raw custard mixture custard. Vanilla Coffee Coffee Orange Star for extra oo-la-la. White Anise Chocolate Chocolate Cinnamon Peppermint FLAVOR COMBINATIONS POUND CAKE Pound cake fits multiple Very Vanilla Orange Rosemary Almond Tiramisu Blossom Lemon and Vanilla bean Coffee trends. It’s comfort food Cherry and vanilla Combining Savory extract and that’s easily updated with the extract team orange rosemary in Add almond a splash of addition of new flavors. The up in this blossom desserts adds extract to brandy make pound cake honey and sophistication. batter before this cake ingredients are simple and to deliver orange Rosemary is baking and special. Top readily available— butter, a delicious blossom water a great serve with with whipped update on gives this cake addition to a homemade Mascarpone sugar, flour, flavor, baking a traditional an orange lemon- cherry or whipped powder or soda. It’s the pound cake. flavor with a flavored topping. cream. perfect vehicle for good twist. pound cake. Vanilla Almond Coffee quality ingredients. Orange Lemon Extract Vanilla Beans Blossom Brandy Water Chopped Almond Paste Fresh or Finely Orange Rosemary Ground Blossom Almonds Honey INDUSTRY TRENDS What Consumers Want TOP 10 GLOBAL CUISINES MILLENNIALS LOVE TO EAT PREFERRED BY U.S. CONSUMERS3 WITH THEIR HANDS (Five of their six most loved dishes are hand held items3) 1 Italian Mexican 2 PIZZA TACOS 3 Chinese CONSUMERS WANT Spanish 4 CONVENIENCE GARLIC PASTA BREAD 5 Japanese French 6 53%of consumers who have never used a meal kit service say they would consider Mediterranean BURGERS NACHOS 7 subscribing in order to cut down on grocery trips1 Greek 8 CONSUMERS WANT TO EAT 9 Thai WHILE THEY SHOP Nearly half of consumers say they are more likely to visit a retail store that has 18%of consumers have 4 Caribbean 10 food options and/or restaurants . used meal or beverage kit subscriptions1 Top food options consumers want while shopping4: CONSUMERS LOVE SNACKS (and Prefer Healthy Options) 61% 60% 59% Free Snacks Comfort Snack/ Foods To-Go Counter 58% 58% 58% OVER Ice Cream/ National Coffee Shop Bakery/ Restaurant Candy Shop Brands 73% 70% 80% Source: 1. Datassential (2017) FoodBytes: Foodservice@Home (Issue of consumers want of U.S. consumers of consumers 41). Retrieved from datassential.com 2. Datassential (2017) Creative 2 Concepts: Snacks, Retail Edition (Issue 45). Retrieved from datassential. to try healthy versions say they want snacks with want baked snacks com 3. Datassential (2017) FoodBytes: Introducing Flavor (Issue 40).