This is Part 1 of our Top Flavor Trends of 2020 Report infographic. This includes both Healthy Lifestyle and Natural Goodness and the facts backing them up.

1. Trends may be the single most important driver in the food and beverage
industry and the Symrise Flavor North America team takes pride in identifying and
analyzing the most compelling information available. Through months of extensive
research including interviews with trendsetting chefs and bartenders around the
world, among other immersive food and beverage explorations, we’ve identified
the top flavors anticipated to grow beyond 2020. Here is a sneak peak into some
of the flavor trends included in our 2020 report and the facts backing them up.
Symrise Flavor North America
Top Trends for 2020 and Beyond
Tea Inside
Last year was all about flower power, but in this year’s trend, we move from floral
flavors to tea leaves, as consumers continue to shift to a more mindful approach,
seeking innovative products promoting health and wellness.
Indian Teas
(Assam, Tulsi) Kombuch’in
Tea Inside: Market Trends and Product Examples
Next Gen Adaptogens
As the health halo continues, there’s a clear demand for earthy-flavored
superfoods with Chinese and Ayurvedic healing properties. While consumers
are serious about their physical health, in 2020, this will evolve to include
stress-fighting, mood-boosting, and energy-enhancing adaptogens.
Holy Basil
Mushrooms
(Reishi, Chaga)
Top Adaptogenic Ingredients
Global: top ingredients, percentage of 'adaptogenic' food and drink products (Apr 2015-Mar 2020)
Drink To Your Health
Move over cocktails! In 2020, there’s a greater demand for non-alcoholic and
low-ABV options. We’ll see more booze alternatives and functional drinks with
unique textures, bright colors, and exotic flavors on the menu.
Functional
Juice Bar
Sea Buckthorn
Berry
Health Drinks: Menu Items and Ingredient Trends
Lemongrass +167%
Cloves +133%
Dill +40%
Rosewater +40%
Rosemary +10%
Cilantro +6%
Trending Specialty Drink Ingredients
(YOY Item Incidence Change)
Fruit Gets Funky
Fermentation isn’t new by any means—in years past, the trend dominated the
condiment category, with kimchi and gochujang leading the charge. This year,
we’ll see a pretty sweet shift with fermentation, as chefs and bartenders
incorporate fruit into the trend.
Ume (and
Ume Boshi)
Fermented
Cacao Pulp
Ume Boshi is a salty-sour Japanese plum that is pickled or brined, traditionally served
with plain rice.
Cacao is a fruit that’s harvested for its beans resulting in a lot of waste. Fermenting
the fruit’s pulp, is a way of using what was previously a wasted bi-product in
innovative ways.
Nature Added
Have we mentioned plants will continue to dominate the trends in 2020?
Plants have made their way into more categories every year, pushing chefs
to turn to new alternatives and flavor combinations to keep it exciting and fresh.
Oats
(β-Glucans)
Honey
Variations
Trending Flours, Grains and Ingredients
Trending Flours & Grains
(YOY Item Incidence Change)
.
Trending Ingredients
(YOY Item Incidence Change)
TRENDSCOPE®
Natural Goodness
Healthy Lifestyle
Premium Indulgence
Emotional Discoveries
Emmer Millet Almond Flour
Buckwheat Chickpea Flour Corn Flour
+25% +20% +17%
+4% +4% +3%
Barberries Perilla Goji
Pollen Turmeric Bamboo
+50% +14% +13%
+11% +9% +4%
Holy Basil Ashwa-
gandha
Maca Chaga
Mushroom
13% 9% 6%29%
Siberian
Ginseng
Velvet
Bean
Lion’s mane
Mushroom
Schizandra
4% 2% 2% 2%
Licorice
5%
Adaptogenic Tulsi Tea
at True Food Kitchen
Ginger, honey, & lemon
Chef Anthony Strong of Prairie in
San Francisco makes a bright
orange cocktail that contains
Sea buckthorn, ginger, lime juice,
club soda, and gin, delivering
a little bit of health
along with a little bit of booze.
Kombucha grew +23.5% YOY
at Top 1500 US Restaurants
Adult Beverage specialty drinks
featuring Kombucha grew +300%* YOY
across 7000+ US Menus
*Note: Low item incidence of 4,
including lodging operators.
Source: Ignite menu data (Q4 2019—Q4 2018), Technomic, Inc.
Source: Ignite menu data (Q4 2019—Q4 2018), Technomic, Inc.
Source: Mintel.
To get the full 2020 Top Flavor Trends Report or to learn more about Symrise and our initiatives, please reach out to your
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