<!– –>
Beloit, WI — Kerry, a global leader in taste and nutrition, predicts that flavors inspired by traditional recipes, spanning generations of traditions worldwide, will drive innovation in food and drink by 2023. These insights are included in the annual Taste and nutrition chartswith an in-depth analysis of flavours, ingredients and food trends that will shape innovation in the coming year.
Taste remains the main driver when it comes to food and drink choices and in the coming year consumers will be motivated by simplicity, sustainability and meeting their nutritional goals. Nevertheless, there will be an increase in unconventional flavor combinations and trends, driven by lost traditions, simplicity and comfort.
Top insights for flavor innovation in 2023
- There will be a resurgence of age-old cooking practices and traditional recipes as consumers place more importance on tradition and provenance. Ingredients such as apple cider vinegar, ashwagandha and mushrooms are finding a new home in snack and beverage applications.
- Indulgence will take on a new meaning, with younger consumers in particular seeking mashups of familiar foods and drinks they grew up with, combined with emerging new taste tonalities. This trend is reinforced by the influence of social media channels such as TikTok and Instagram.
- There will be a hunger for unconventional combinations of traditional ingredients and emerging flavor profiles from other regions such as cloves, Herbs de Provence, saffron, fig, ube, dill and a thirst for healthier drinks with functional ingredients such as ashwagandha.
- In addition, in 2023, consumers will be looking for value as inflation hits, but they will still gravitate toward products that allow permissive indulgence, still seeking simple flavors like cheddar cheese and caramel alongside nostalgic favorites like cookies and salty snacks.
In North America, flavor trends are driven by regional classics such as North Carolina’s spicy barbecue and Tex Mex. There has also been a resurgence of basic flavors in the charts in recent years never before seen additions such as fig, ube and wasabi.
Commenting on these taste trends, Soumya Nair, Global Consumer Research and Insights Director at Kerry said: “Flavors have a powerful way of conveying a story, especially when it comes to consumer trends and preferences. This year we will witness the resurgence of time-honored traditions and heirloom recipes as consumers crave traditional flavors with new and emerging flavors. Comfort still reigns supreme – with peppermint, hazelnuts, chocolates, cheeses, chillies still dominating the taste buds. Whether it’s a nostalgic treat, a comfort food or a healthy alternative, consumers expect a greater variety of flavors in 2023.”
“Through our in-depth research and the insights of our teams around the world, we see trends travel around the world – with Asian flavors such as cardamom, Japanese miso, gooseberry and hawthorn reaching Europe and North America, while popular dishes in Europe such as Moroccan Tahini and Italian Bolognaise inspiring innovation in Asia Pacific. Consumers travel the world through taste and we expect that interest and desire for authenticity to continue.”
About the Taste Tables
The Kerry Taste and Nutrition Charts 2023 are your guide to delivering great food and drink that people feel good about. Our insights come from following menu trends, new food and drink launches, ingredient labels, social media chatter and chef-inspired recipes around the world. With the support of our insights and research teams, marketers, chefs, baristas, nutritionists and our insights tool, Trendspotter, Kerry is able to make informed predictions about future taste and ingredient preferences. The charts are divided into the following areas:
Sweet
Salty snacks
Savoury
Beverages – Hot and dairy based
Beverages – Cold and water based
- Nutrition and claim table
- Ingredient cards
About Kerry
Kerry is the world’s leading flavor and nutrition partner to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical markets. We innovate together with our customers to create great tasting products, with improved nutrition and functionality, while making a better impact on the planet. Our leading consumer insights, global RD&A team of more than 1,100 food scientists, and our extensive global footprint enable us to solve our customers’ complex challenges with differentiated solutions. At Kerry, we are driven to be our customers’ most valued partner, create a world of sustainable food and reach more than 2 billion consumers with sustainable food solutions by 2030. For more information, go to www.kerrygroup.com.
