• In addition to chocolate, pineapple, banana, apples or nuts, the year 2021 brings plums, lavender, citrus fruits, ginger and Speculass biscuits into the dessert trend.
The flavors and ingredients that will influence the taste trend in the world this year, for the entire palette of food preparations, are inspired by the family and classic environment. At the same time, current trends highlight the desire of the consumer, still isolated due to the pandemic, to escape through culinary experiences in exotic spaces.
These trends were recently presented in the results of annual studies published by the Kerry company. Annually, Kerry, the world leader in taste and nutrition analysis for the food and beverage industry, conducts global research and sets trends. More than 1000 highly qualified food scientists and nutritionists are involved in this project. Together with teams of market researchers, they provide relevant information for manufacturers in the food and beverage industry.
Consumers are generally opting for comforting and familiar tastes, where classic desserts such as banana split, apple pie and creams are presented as flavors in different categories – including the 'sweet' and 'drink' categories.
Citrus flavors, vanilla, barbecue chocolate – relevant in 2021
"Traditional flavors of citrus, vanilla, chocolate and barbecue will remain at the top of preferences in 2021, but consumers want to be able to enjoy these tastes / aromas through products that are as ecological or with certified origin as possible. At the same time, plants such as lavender, turmeric and basil, recognized for their special health qualities, according to holistic methods, are increasingly used in food and beverage products, in response to consumer demand", explains Christina Matrozou, Marketing Manager for Europe and Russia at Kerry Taste and Nutrition.
Honey will be imposed in the chapter "alternatives"
Kerry experts divided the ingredients of 2021 into three broad categories: functional, alternative and multisensory. In the functional category, in 2021, turmeric, cocoa, gurana, ashwagandga or Indian Gingseng will stand out as a trend. Green coffee is also "on the wave". Honey will be imposed in the "alternatives" chapter. On the "sensory" list, among the stars of the aromas we distinguish vanilla, caramel, ruby chocolate, meringue, nuts, but also those strong aromas.
The trend of dessert flavors in 2021
Based on consumer preferences, Kerry analysts classify flavors and tastes into four major categories: mainstream (mass consumption), key (essential), Up & coming (new entrants), emerging (growing).
For desserts,
mainstream flavors (mass consumption):
- Chocolate - milk and dark;
- Vanilla;
- Nuts – hazelnuts and almonds;
- Caramel – salty and toffee;
- Forest Fruits – strawberries and raspberries;
- Citrus – orange and lemon;
- Medicinal Plants – Peppermint, rosemary and thyme;
- Specific flavors of some desserts - Tiramisu and Crème Brulee.
key aromas:
- Chocolate – white and pralines;
- Berries – cranberries, blueberries and blackcurrants;
- Coconut and Passion Fruit;
- Maracuja and Pineapple;
- Lemon and Tutti Fruity;
- Banana and Apple;
- Green tea and Cola;
- Nuts – Macadamia and Pecan, hazelnut and pistachio;
- Coffee with milk and Meringue;
- Chili and Cinnamon
Up & coming flavors (new arrivals):
- Citrus fruits – tangerine, clementine and red orange;
- Dairy - spreadable cheese, butter and cream;
- Alcohol notes – Cognac, Mojito, Punch and Rum;
- Golden Berry and Kiwi;
- Flavors specific to some desserts – Sweet Cake and Speculaas Biscuits; Banana Split, Pudding, Apple Pie, Baklava, Madeleine and Eclair;
- Medicinal Plants – mint, lavender and sage;
emerging flavors:
- Citrus – Lime and Yuzu;
- Forest Fruits – blue raspberry;
- Cherries and Plums;
- Anise and Turmeric;
- Alcoholic notes – Limoncello, mulled wine, gin and whiskey;
- Flavors specific to some desserts - Cookies;
- Espresso and Chai coffee;
- Cocoa and Peanut Butter flavors.
Flavor trend for Snacks in 2021
Europeans want to nibble snacks with traditional, but also Asian flavors this year. In addition to the Greek flavors and tastes of gyros, Italian "tastes" remain well-defined in trends, but avocado and wasabi are also trending. In the emerging category, the Texas Barbecue and ginger taste stands out.
How taste graphs are made
How does Kerry create the taste chart and set trends each year?
The company is based on the study of consumer retail purchasing patterns, using food service influences as well as the support of experts from gastronomy, beverage and mixology companies.
Kerry's Trendspotter™ is a patented artificial intelligence that predicts food trends based on global social media content. (full Kerry report, HERE)
