From the company that helped develop big beverage brands like Jones Soda, Chiquita, Joia All Natural Sodas and Crispin Cider come beverage flavor predictions (or direction) for 2017.
Flavorman knows: since 1992 they have developed custom beverage flavors, making them a go-to for formulated drink products.
4 Flavor Trends
If the flavors on Flavorman’s list sound familiar, it’s because they are. Maybe these earthy flavors have not hit the mainstream but Natural Products Expo and Fancy Food Show goers will be no strangers to these delicious trends:
- Turmeric ( The “New” Ginger). Turmeric has been trending for a few years, mainly for its health benefits range from reducing cholesterol to controlling diabetes. Its loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. I, for one, would buy drinkable soups made with vadouvan, a heady spice blend that’s based on turmeric.
- Coconut – no surprise! The coconut-based drink trend will continue. To continue on the drinkable soup idea, I would see to try a drinkable coconut-based Thai soup.
- Spicy flavors in drinks. Flavorman notes that major distillers are creating specific line extensions to add spice and heat to their existing products such as spicy versions of rum, bourbon and whiskey. Craft distillers and brewers have been blending in earthy spices, too.
- Herbal accent flavors such as chili and chocolate in coffee. Given the success of Philz, a San Francisco-based coffee chain known for adding spices and fresh mint to coffee, I won’t be surprised if other herbs start to creep into teas, coffees and other foods.
Turmeric over orange??!! Flavorman says the top flavors of 2016 were ginger, orange and lime and that orange ranks at #1 or #2 almost every year. They believe that turmeric will take the number one spot in 2017 – something I find hard to swallow. While I really like Califia’s turmeric ginger drink I just can’t imagine it flying out the doors at our local AM/PM. Or even Whole Foods.
On a non-food note, Pantone names the most lovely fresh green as its 2017 Color of the Year.
It would be fun to see Greenery pop up in flavors and packaging. Do I need to add: especially for green brands?
Stay tuned for more flavor trends!
