You've heard, and you've heard again, that Pantone has announced Peach Fuzz as the 2024 Color of the Year. According to Pantone, this color falls somewhere between pink and orange and “stimulates a sense of belonging, realignment, and opportunity for development.” Tech companies and fashion houses are already catching on to this new trend, and it's likely to spill over into food this year.
From peach to purple
Flavor houses have been unveiling their own trends in recent weeks, with some, such as DSM-Firmenich, aligning themselves with Pantone's bet. According to the company's proprietary consumer research, which measures emotions associated with ingredients, peaches are unique in their contrasting qualities: sumptuous yet indulgent, youthful and nostalgic.
For dairy manufacturers, especially those specializing in desserts and flavored dairy products, this could be an opportunity to introduce new or limited edition flavors that capitalize on new trends. According to Euromonitor International, limited edition products featuring vibrant designs are on the market as consumers prefer products that elicit positive emotions as a counterpoint to a reality marred by political instability and the climate emergency. It will continue to appear.
“Ice cream and frozen confectionery are particularly well-suited for flavor exploration,” Hélène Moller, ADM's vice president of global product marketing, flavor and color, told DairyReporter. “In fact, 71% and 68% of consumers in North America and EMEA, respectively, prefer limited edition flavors of ice cream.”
“According to a Mintel report, global dairy products launched in 2023 included floral fruit flavors such as peach, blueberry and lychee. Honey’s sweet floral qualities – both alone and in combination with fruit “It's nutty with a luxurious flavor. And the tropical profile of papaya and passion fruit roll into the flavor combination,” she added. “There was also a movement to use luxurious purples for taro and ube, various shades of blue for flavor concepts with quirky names, and earthy greens for pistachio and matcha. Now independent in both milk/yoghurt base or alternative coconut milk base).”
Peaches are good for flavoring kefir as well as drinking yogurt, and popular fruits such as strawberries and raspberries can add variety to products that are common. For formulators looking to capitalize on the botanical trend in ice cream and dairy desserts, combinations with herbs such as raspberry are also effective.
According to Mohler, sharp and sweet flavor combinations are on the rise. “I've seen this achieved with lemon accents (lemon curd, preserved lemons), florals (elderflower, orange blossom) and honey, and citrus paired with herbs and savouries.” notes. she told us. “The presence of blueberries in a variety of flavorful dairy products, from Stilton cheese to goat cheese, cream cheese and cottage cheese, also caught our attention.”
Speaking of escapism, consumers will continue to seek outlets for the stressors caused by global political and economic turmoil. According to a Euromonitor study, 73% of consumers who suffer from stress and anxiety say these problems have a moderate or severe impact on their daily lives. This remains a sustainable trend, with Mintel research tracking Gen Z consumer perceptions in October 2022 finding that 72% of young shoppers believe it is difficult not to feel anxious about the future. It was revealed that 62% of people felt stress in their daily lives. Therefore, creating products that can contribute to reducing common everyday stressors can go a long way in establishing sustainable consumer relationships. Euromonitor says this allows for a combination of positive messaging and bold branding without going overboard.
Besides peach, there is another front-runner in the 2024 flavor race. Back in 2012, Mintel predicted that “purple foods,” which are visually appealing and rich in antioxidants, would be the next big thing. In 2019, Mintel recorded a 126% increase in purple food and beverage products launched worldwide between 2012 and 2018. Violet, which is both “Instagrammable” and healthy, as well as clean label formulations, is used in drinking and traditional yogurts and kefir. Ice cream too. This year, several flavor houses such as T. Hasegawa predicted that ube, a type of purple root vegetable native to the Philippines, would be his top flavor trend of 2024. “This vibrant and unique purple yam, native to Southeast Asia, is making waves in the culinary world, and it's easy to see why,” the company says.
Like other root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, ube (pronounced “u-beh”) has a sweet, nutty, earthy flavor that lends itself equally well to desserts and savory foods.
According to ADM, in addition to deep purple, red, pink, blue, yellow, and earthy green may also be hits this year. “As revealed in our 2024 Flavor and Color Trends Report, consumers are unapologetically choosing flavors and colors that represent their personal lifestyles. From seeking to reinvent nostalgic products to transcending tradition and geographic boundaries, the new year presents both dairy and alternative dairy brands with an opportunity to create compelling products that appeal to consumers' unique desires. '' Mueller said.
“Affordability is paramount, but consumers still seek moments of indulgent self-expression. The velvety, indulgent flavor pairs well with dairy products like Italian pistachio ice cream and jasmine-flavored yogurt. it matchs.”
“We are also seeing this realized through umami-infused dairy-based sweets, including unusual flavor combinations such as raspberry and Parmesan, pistachio and grilled corn, and even cassava and orange blossom. These profiles pair well with a wide range of colors, especially muted greens, soft pinks, bright reds, and warm browns. Luxurious tastes also help drive consumer interest in dairy alternatives. Helpful.
“Alternative dairy producers may find new avenues of innovation by harnessing the flavor of plant-based ingredients such as oats, almonds and rice, and combining them with salted caramel, coffee and banana.”
The rise of “functional” continues
According to Euromonitor, physical and mental health is expected to become a main focus for consumers in 2024, with quick and effective ways to strengthen body and mind while easily integrating into current habits. It suggests that delivering solutions to consumers may be key. Functional ingredients are very important to enhance the health benefits of dairy products. So what are some trends that are becoming more popular?
According to SPINS’ 2024 CPG Trends Report, cinnamon, beets, and propolis are among the high-growth functional ingredients. This usually indicates that these ingredients may soon expand into other categories, such as non-supplement foods. At the same time, SPINS emphasizes the continued importance of macronutrition for consumers. The study suggests that some consumers value macros more than total calories. High-protein dairy products are already popular with shoppers, and new products such as the recently launched Yoplait His Protein will continue to arrive in his 2024.
Digestive health continues to be a top priority, and Spinz believes this trend is likely to find new uses, categories and shoppers in 2024, including gut-friendly foods, with more than 6g of dietary fiber. Yogurt, including yogurt, is expected to grow 30% this year. .
“Certain dairy products, such as Greek yogurt, are already recognized for their wellness properties and have a positive impact on health,” said ADM's Moller. We predict products like Balsamic Strawberry Ice Cream and Blueberry Kefir Drink that put a dairy twist on tangy notes.
“Citrus fruits also remain popular in relation to products that support immune function. In addition to traditional oranges, lemons, and limes, there are also emerging varieties such as yuzu, finger lime, calamansi, blood orange, and dairy products. can rely on citrus to appeal to consumers' evolving demands. Think blood orange creamsicle-flavored yogurt or finger lime and plum dairy-based smoothies. ”
She added that white remains an important color for dairy and alternative dairy brands. “Not only does it help convey freshness and purity across products such as yogurt, but it also elevates dairy alternatives to be more of a match for traditional products. Additionally, our research shows that 57% of consumers % associate white with products that support bone and joint health, making it appealing to meet consumers' evolving health demands. ”
