| Emerging Flavors in Food: Exotic, botanical and | | | | consumers' food preferences and an aging |
| spicy influences, and future opportunities | | | | population is driving the growth of functional foods |
| Flavor is an integral part of how humans interact | | | | and bold flavors. |
| with and experience the world around them. | | | | • Immigration and travel are contributing to an |
| Flavor is linked to our survival instinct and taste | | | | increased interest in exotic foods including Latin |
| stimuli allowed the earliest humans to identify and | | | | American cuisines such as Mexican and Peruvian; |
| select the most beneficial nutrients and avoid the | | | | • Health and wellness is one of the most |
| poisonous ones. New research suggests that our | | | | important trends in food flavoring and is driving |
| experience of taste is programmed into our | | | | innovation. Taste replacement technology is at the |
| genes, and is influenced by factors as diverse as | | | | forefront of flavor development, and industry |
| gender, ethnicity, upbringing, weight, and | | | | players are collaborating to produce healthy |
| perception of color. | | | | applications; |
| The flavor sector spans multiple industries globally; | | | | • Health and ethical concerns are converging |
| from food and beverage manufacturers to | | | | and ‘natural' claims are losing consumer value |
| chemistry, biotechnology, genetic engineering, and | | | | due to their ubiquity; |
| horticulture. Current and emerging trends in taste | | | | • Media and technology is impacting flavor |
| and flavor are resulting in new challenges and new | | | | development by increasing access to information. |
| opportunities for the industry. This report will | | | | Food bloggers can influence the popularity and |
| identify, evaluate, and demonstrate these trends, | | | | growth of flavors and manufacturers are able to |
| and outline some of the key ensuing market | | | | track consumer preferences more effectively; |
| opportunities. . | | | | Key findings from this report |
| Key features of this report | | | | • Dairy is a key category for flavor innovation, |
| • Identifies the macro drivers that are shaping | | | | and had the most significant flavor movements in |
| trends in the food industry and the tastes and | | | | 2009 |
| flavors that are emerging as a result. | | | | • The dairy sector is primarily dominated by |
| • Analyses the top and fastest growing flavors | | | | stable and consistently popular sweet flavors, |
| in 2009 across a range of food sectors, | | | | particularly classic fruits. Milk and yogurt products |
| • and the most popular product claims in each | | | | had the most innovation in terms of new flavors |
| category. | | | | and chocolate was the highest occurring flavor in |
| • Provides a detailed industry perspective by | | | | desserts. |
| outlining the regulatory and scientific developments | | | | • Chocolate and fruit are the most popular |
| impacting the flavor industry. | | | | confectionery flavors and exotic fruits continue to |
| • Evaluates the key innovations in food | | | | grow. Botanical and flower flavors are also on the |
| flavoring and explores the leading scientific | | | | increase, appearing in more new products in 2009 |
| discoveries, company developments, and NPD. | | | | compared to 2008. |
| • Assesses how macro trends and key | | | | • Traditional flavors dominate the bakery and |
| industry issues will shape the future development | | | | cereals sector, although coconut and ginger are |
| of food and drinks flavors. | | | | gaining popularity. |
| Scope of this report | | | | • Chocolate declined as a snack flavor, while |
| • Identify the most popular flavors by | | | | ethnic and experimental flavors appeared in more |
| category and sub-category and gain insight into | | | | new products. Spicy flavors grew in importance in |
| the future potential of these flavors. | | | | potato chips, and more healthy alternatives were |
| • Evaluate growth opportunities within food | | | | launched in 2009. |
| and drinks flavors and identify the emerging | | | | Key questions answered |
| consumer segments and their market potential. | | | | • What are the key global macro-economic |
| • Understanding the main challenges facing the | | | | and social drivers affecting food flavors in 2009? |
| food and drinks flavors industry, and establish | | | | • What flavor trends and opportunities are |
| how to gain competitive advantage. | | | | emerging from macro drivers? |
| • Gain insight into the latest scientific and | | | | • What are the top food flavors and product |
| technological and innovations driving the flavors | | | | claims in each market sector in 2008-2009? |
| industry. | | | | • Which flavors are growing in popularity, and |
| Key Market Issues | | | | which are declining? |
| • Significant demographic shifts are impacting | | | | |