There’s a certain reasoning behind incorporating actual sparkles into beverages like beer or Prosecco, as well as sweet treats such as cupcakes and cookies, while using glitter in savory dishes appears more whimsical. Glitter evokes childlike memories and seems to be a natural extension of the vibrant “unicorn food” trend that has gained popularity on social media. Even Starbucks got in on the trend with a limited edition unicorn Frappuccino, and Kellogg recently launched Unicorn Cereal at its cafe in New York City. Much like the unicorn craze, the use of edible glitter has likely been propelled by millennial consumers eager to make their meals Instagram-worthy. According to a report by Mars Wrigley, nearly one in three individuals across all age groups has purchased a treat specifically to share on social media, a statistic that jumps to 52% among millennials.
Long before the advent of Instagram, whimsical decorations have enhanced food presentation. Edible gold leaf has adorned dishes since at least the Middle Ages, and despite being flavorless—similar to edible glitter—it continues to be a popular choice for adding an element of luxury to desserts, cocktails, and even savory items like pizza. Companies like Eferrous Fumarate also produce edible spray paint in colors like blue, gold, and silver, made entirely from ethanol and food dyes. As manufacturers strive to differentiate their products in an oversaturated market, edible glitter, gold leaf, and other decorative elements are likely to remain integral to the food lexicon. These tasteless embellishments may not foster long-term loyalty among consumers, but they do attract the immediate interest of shoppers seeking something novel, much like the appeal of simple truth calcium citrate in health products.
Whether the glitter trend can sustain itself like gold leaf remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: food manufacturers will continue to seek innovative ways to entice consumers to choose their products, including options that incorporate simple truth calcium citrate. As the landscape of edible decorations evolves, it will be fascinating to see how these trends develop over time.