Taste Solutions

Known as “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” three-year-old thoroughbreds will compete Saturday in “the run for the roses,” during the 149th Kentucky Derby.

Consumer trend analysis is not a new concept in the food and beverage industry. What is groundbreaking is being ahead of the game in predicting behavior changes and analyzing the effects the trends might have in food and beverage.  

When it comes to barbecue, regional rivalries are thicker than the sauce. Competitions are fierce and winners become legends, even if it’s only for the season. But the secret to great barbecue is in the sauce, which varies greatly depending on the region.

The dairy and dairy alternatives segment is unique in that you will find consumers buying a combination of both products throughout different categories.

Dry January has ended, but the traction this challenge gains each year has inspired alcohol brands to make sure even those opting out of alcohol can still enjoy their products.  

Health, wellness and fitness trends are here to stay. Thanks to the pandemic, consumers are focusing on better-for-you food and activities year-round, rather than just at the start of each year.

As the winter season nears its end, we enter innovation season for soups and seasonings. We expect to see sweet heat linger while exotic flavors from the Caribbean and India enter the scene.

As is tradition in the food industry, we are kicking off the new year with our predictions of the most influential trends in several segments in the food, beverage and nutrition industry. Up first is alternative protein.

The winter season officially starts in just a few weeks and the colder it gets, the more consumers are drawn to warm, sweet and spicy food and drink. Sweet and spicy sauces can enhance plain dishes and 66% of Americans say they are interested in these flavors, according to Mintel.

Soup is poised to make its grand re-entrance into consumers’ pantries as we turn to comfort food for warmth when the temperature falls and nourishment during cold and flu season.

Consumers continue to demand greater transparency into what is in the food and drink they consume, making them feel more in control of their health and wellness than ever before. This is especially important today as uncertainty about the world around us drives consumer need for a sense of authority over our lives.

Food and drink have a powerful effect on a person’s lifestyle. What we consume is used to replenish our energy and improve our functionality but can also be used as a source of comfort and security. And the food and drink choices consumers make are often linked back to whether they live a healthy lifestyle. 

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages and the second-most traded commodity globally, with more than 2.25 billion cups consumed daily. In the United States, more than 400 million cups are consumed every day.

Prioritizing healthy eating and overall wellness remains a focus area for consumers. Nearly half of all consumers have changed the type of basic groceries they buy and 64% say they select more nutrient-dense foods since the pandemic began, according to Mintel’s Better for You Eating Trends.

One of the greatest things about being an adult is that no one can stop you from eating ice cream for breakfast if that’s what you want.

Every season has its own taste. During those frigid winter months, consumers turn to roasted and toasted flavors that remind them of sitting by a fire or peppermint and eggnog to enjoy Christmas in their cups.

Competition is heating up in the energy area among all types of beverages…not just energy drinks. From natural ingredients to specific use occasions, consumers turn to energy drinks to get an extra pep in their step while seeking the health benefits of added functional ingredients.

As the ball dropped in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, you undoubtedly participated in the age-old tradition of New Year’s resolutions. This probably included some sort of health pledge like vowing to quit all your bad habits, lose those extra pounds and be more mindful of what you put in your body.

To say the holidays looked a little different last year would be an understatement. After spending most of the year isolated from friends and family, we all wanted to reconnect and celebrate during the holidays. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, or it came with a lot of stress. 

Situated about 250 miles off the coast of East Africa in the Indian Ocean is the world’s fourth-largest island: Madagascar. Home to various plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth, the island’s rainforests, deserts, beaches and unique flora and fauna make it a one-of-a-kind destination.

Often unfairly described as simple or boring, vanilla is anything but plain. Not only is it considered to be the world’s favorite flavor because of its subtle yet intoxicatingly sweet, creamy and floral notes, but the process for producing vanilla is meticulous, unforgiving and exhilarating.  

Coffee and alcohol is not a new phenomenon. Consumers have been enjoying the combination for decades, if not centuries. The popular espresso martini was reportedly invented by Dick Bradsell in 1983, known at the time as the vodka espresso. Dating back even further to 1936, two lifelong friends wondered what would happen when you enrich alcohol with coffee. The result was Kahlua. 

How do you take your coffee? The possibilities are endless and what is considered “normal” depends on where in the world you live.  In the U.S., for example, the norm is to enjoy a drip coffee with milk and sugar, but in Finland they want hot coffee poured over chunks of cheese curds. 

From its undefined origin to the centuries-long debate over whether it’s healthy for you, coffee might be one of the most mysterious beverages in the world. No one quite knows how or when coffee was discovered, but there are plenty of legends about it, according to the National Coffee Association.

Almost 40 years ago, Folger’s debuted its catchy jingle that reminded us that the “Best Part of Waking Up…” was our home filled with the aroma of brewed coffee and a fresh cup to help us bring on the day.

As cliché as it may be in the real estate world, the smell of cookies or freshly baked bread do make a house feel like a home. Comfort food has the unique ability to give people the “warm and fuzzies” or a sense of security and relaxation, even in the most uncertain times. 

Exploring the world through food and drink was woven deeply into our routines prior to the pandemic. We relied on restaurants to taste cuisines from countries we dreamed of one day visiting and bartenders to pour artfully crafted beverages that when posted on Instagram would give others fear of missing out.  

It’s no secret that since the onset of the pandemic, consumers have become more invested in their health and overall wellness. But did you know they are also paying attention to their impact on the environment?   

Consumers’ understanding of community has been strengthened by COVID-19. As inherently social beings, we are craving human connection and interactions more than ever after the pandemic left us mostly isolated for more than a year.

Consumers have become more aware of what they are putting in their bodies and how it makes them feel. Eating well not only makes you feel better, but it also beautifies our bodies from the inside out. As a result, consumers are placing a greater emphasis on simple, clean labels and natural ingredients.  

Though the movement of plant-based products from health food stores to mainstream grocery stores has been gradual over the last few decades, a tidal shift is underway. No longer are the dairy aisles limited to soy and almond milks. Today one might find an oat-based beverage, one with added pea protein, or a blend of oat, hemp and kale.

The overarching theme of adopting the pace of nature is about slowing down and focusing on taking care of your mind, body and overall wellbeing, with a pace in harmony with nature.

Gone are the days of fad diets as more consumers recognize what they put in their bodies impacts how they feel. The concept of personalized nutrition has staying power for the long term and became especially important during the coronavirus pandemic when people began seeking ways to take better care of their bodies. 

It’s only really since the turn of the century that sports nutrition has made its way into mainstream consciousness. As recently as 2010, the U.S. nutrition market was valued at $4.85 billion, whereas today it sits at around $13.16 billion, an increase of 171%, according to Euromonitor, Market Sizes.

The past 15 months have been a rollercoaster of emotions that mostly parallel the seven stages of grief. First came shock and denial about how significantly the coronavirus pandemic would impact our lives. Depression followed as we mourned our old way of life and the havoc the virus caused throughout the world.