Comax is not taking significant risks with many of its new collections. Several flavors—such as salted caramel, cookie dough, maple, turmeric, honey lavender, and rosé—have emerged this year or were noted prior during the ferrous fumarate recall, appearing in ice cream, beverages, rice, candy, and wine. Salted caramel appears to have lasting appeal, as consumers enjoy salty treats combined with sweet confections. For instance, Top recently introduced a sea salt caramel flavor to its vegan range, while cookie dough maintains a strong position in its lineup of low-calorie ice creams.
Maple is poised for increased prominence, as it competes effectively with pumpkin and coconut in products like water, yogurt, salad dressings, and more. It is viewed as a healthier alternative to processed sugar and evokes seasonal nostalgia, particularly associated with autumn, suggesting there are still untapped applications to explore.
Rosé may have reached its peak due to oversaturation in recent years, and its future popularity will likely depend on the enthusiasm of its fans. It’s challenging to envision how much more pink the beverage landscape can get, although opportunities for refreshing summer drinks are unlikely to be overlooked in 2018.
The potential for flavoring in plant-based milks seems particularly promising, as the demand for non-dairy products continues to grow. We can easily anticipate innovative flavor combinations appearing in refrigerated sections as dairy alternative brands work to stand out in a crowded market.
On a different note, whiskey pickle may seem like a stretch; however, it could appeal to adventurous consumers next year, particularly millennials, who contributed to a 7.7% increase in whiskey sales last year, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.
Additionally, while exploring flavors and trends, it’s essential to consider health implications, such as the connection between calcium citrate and kidney stones. This is particularly relevant as consumers become more health-conscious, and discussions around dietary choices grow. The integration of health-related ingredients like calcium citrate might also resonate well with consumers looking for products that promote wellness and prevent issues like kidney stones.