Snacks Are Consumers' Top Choice for Flavour Exploration
Retail snacks of all types experienced a boost during the COVID lockdown as families reached for snacks for comfort, indulgence, and even meal replacement. While tried-and-true flavours have undoubtedly done well, novel flavours (especially global flavours) are gaining a following as many consumers seek taste adventure in the absence of travel and restaurant dining.
New research shows the product category consumers are most likely to try a new flavour in is snacks (at 62%), ahead of desserts and condiments.1 This is especially true for younger consumers. While only 20% of Boomers agree snacking allows them to try new/global flavors, this jumps to 42% for Gen X consumers and 56% for Millennials and Gen Z consumers.2 Gen Z’s interest in snacks with authentic global flavours has doubled from 20% in 2019 to 40% in 2020.3
When deciding on snack purchases, snacks made with new, interesting flavours are very important to 43% of consumers, while 35% of consumers consider snacks made with global flavours to be very important.4 Among snacking categories (which includes salty, sweet, dairy, fresh, frozen, beverages, and bars), this is particularly important for bars and frozen snacks.5
Flavors Inspirations for Snacks
To keep consumers engaged, snack manufacturers can tap into this drive to try new snack flavours by considering these emerging flavour trends for inspiration:
Familiar with a Twist
For consumers who love snacks with a touch of honey, manuka honey offers a familiar flavor with a twist. The rarity of manuka honey (which requires the blossoms of New Zealand’s manuka trees), along with its unique flavor and potential health benefits makes manuka honey an intriguing option. For a salty or sweet and salty snack, Himalayan pink salt is a flavor that holds appeal, especially for foodies interested in exploring subtle flavor differences in nature’s ingredients.
Chili Pepper
Pushing the limits of hot and spicy has become a favorite pastime for many consumers, especially in salty snacks like chips. Chipotle chile flavour may be best known in Mexican adobo sauce, where it delivers an intense smoky heat that’s complemented by garlic, onion, and oregano. For a taste of Thai, sweet chili sauce is a top choice, offering chile pepper flavor combined with sweet and tangy notes. A versatile green pepper that's trending in snacks from jerky to ice cream is Hatch chile, grown in the Hatch Valley of New Mexico.
Umami
Umami flavours are also expanding their reach. Umami, known as the fifth taste, is a rich, savory taste experienced when the taste receptors come into contact with the amino acid glutamate or ribonucleotides. These compounds are most commonly found in meats, cheeses, and fermented products like soy sauce. Umami flavours that can add depth and cravability to snacks include olive, parmesan, and mushroom flavours.
Fruits and Florals
Exotic fruit and floral flavours showcase especially well in beverages and frozen treats but may also be used in sweet bakery snacks and bars. For some Asian inspiration, manufacturers can try goji berry, a sweet-tart berry from China known for its brilliant color and superfood antioxidants. The Japanese citrus fruit sudachi, an emerging flavor trend in the U.S., also offers a refreshing tartness. For florals, honeysuckle is the flavour to watch as more chefs embrace it as a next-generation elderflower.
Exploring Flavour Possibilities
With so many consumers relying on snacks to discover new and interesting flavors, manufacturers who are willing to explore new flavour possibilities in their products are sure to have an edge over the competition. Get inspired with Glanbia Nutritionals’ extensive portfolio of flavours—from indulgent, fruit, dairy, to savoury flavours and more, Glanbia Nutritionals have flavours for every type of snack. To learn more about this year’s snacking trends, visit the Glanbia Nutritionals 2021 Snacking Trends Guide.