The team of natural flavour experts at OFI have created a list of flavour trend predictions for 2024.
New found nostalgia: Consumers love a trip down memory lane. Make sure you revisit popular flavours from the past, but with an added new found twist. Nostalgic dessert flavours are big, but 2024 is the time to get braver and add a new spin to bring old flavours up to date.
Put your own spin on marzipan, custard, sherbet, gingerbread or candyfloss, for example.
Forever floral: Floral has officially hit the mainstream. Floral and botanicals have been around for a while, but mainly in the premium sectors. Now is the time for the appeal of florals to see much wider distribution. However, floral flavours can be a little different, so consider pairing them with something fruity.
Start blossoming with elderflower, rose, orange blossom, hibiscus or geranium.
Creative caramel: First came salted caramel, and now there is caramelised biscuit. The popularity of caramel-based flavours remains a strong trend and is still very popular with consumers. Anything with caramel seems to be going down a storm. Make sure you continue to innovate with caramel flavours.
Sweeten up with salted caramel latte, caramelised apple, blonde chocolate, caramelised biscuit or dulce de leche.
It’s a Barbie World: This trend isn’t necessarily just about Barbie! It relates to finding ways to join in with pop culture and mainstream trends. Creating a flavour to join in with the conversation and social media – just make sure it’s the right one. With this trend, timing is everything.
Take a look at smokey caramel, neopolitan, toasted popcorn, jalapeno or spiced apple.
Real fruit flavours: Consumers are increasingly looking for natural flavour profiles and are moving away from the traditional sweeter confectionery styles. Authenticity is a big deal in food and drink in 2024. Make sure your flavours taste just like the real thing.
Keep it real with pineapple puree, blueberry puree, passion fruit puree, raspberry puree or apricot puree.
A braver flavour: This is OFI’s favourite trend and one that seems to retain relevance year after year. There is never a time when it’s ok to be boring so make sure you keep things fresh and keep innovating. A top tip from OFI is to pair a braver flavour with a more established flavour profile to make sure your product has maximum appeal.
Dare to be different with mangosteen, smokey strawberry, tigers blood or manao.
