Food Consumer Insights

Trend - Black Forest cake, an iconic German dessert layered with chocolate, cherries, and whipped cream, is resurfacing across modern bakeries, cafes, and dessert items. Once viewed as a nostalgic indulgence, it is now experiencing a resurgence in popularity, fueled by consumer interest in retro trends.

Insight - Before the rise of trendy flavors like cheesecake and red velvet, Black Forest cake served as a top choice for Millennial consumers, gracing birthday parties, celebrations, and festive occasions throughout the 90s. Recognizing the desire to return to these warm, simple times, brands are using the classic flavors of black forest to inspire contemporary desserts. These brands understand that these "comfort foods" offer a delicious way to relive fond memories while satisfying modern tastes.

Trend - Tapping into the viral social media craze, brands are creating indulgent treats that blend crispy Knafeh, pistachio cream, and smooth chocolate. These products appeal to both locals and international food lovers, merging traditional Middle Eastern ingredients with globally loved dessert options.

Insight - Consumers are naturally drawn to viral social media trends, driven by a fear of missing out and a curiosity for new and unconventional flavors. In response, brands are leveraging this buzz to launch their own takes on the dessert, catering to trend-conscious customers eager to stay ahead of the curve. By tapping into social media marketing tactics, these brands attract new audiences who seek products that reflect the latest food trends, ensuring they remain relevant in an ever-evolving market.

Trend - Snack brands are releasing on-the-go, ready-to-eat edamame snacks infused with a variety of spices and seasonings. These products aim to provide a healthy, protein-rich snack option that is both convenient and flavorful, while incorporating natural ingredients and flavorful seasonings.

Insight - Consumers are increasingly seeking healthy and convenient snack options that offer both nutrition and taste. The rise in health consciousness, combined with a fast-paced lifestyle, has led to a demand for grab-and-go snacks that do not compromise on quality or flavor. The pressure to provide innovative and appealing snack options has driven brands to develop spiced edamame snacks. These snacks cater to consumers' desires for high-protein, low-calorie options that are easy to enjoy on the move.

Trend - Snack brands are releasing on-the-go, ready-to-eat vegan snacks such as cookies, bars, and other treats. These products offer better-for-you alternatives that fit with dietary restrictions to provide delicious, nutritious, and portable snacks that offer a healthier alternative to traditional snacks.

Insight - Consumers are increasingly adopting plant-based diets and seeking convenient, healthy snacks. The rise in health consciousness and the desire for sustainable food options are driving this trend. Additionally, the fast-paced nature of modern life has heightened the demand for grab-and-go solutions that do not compromise on quality or nutrition. Snack brands are responding to these pressures by offering vegan snacks that cater to diverse dietary needs and strengthen brand loyalty.

Trend - Established food categories tied to Jewish culture and religious traditions are being reinvented through contemporary branding, sustainable practices, and convenience-focused formats. These products maintain authentic flavor profiles while updating ingredients and aesthetics to appeal to younger consumers who value both heritage and innovation.

Insight - Today's consumers, especially Gen Z, are rejecting the assimilation mindset of previous generations in favor of cultural pride and visibility. This shift has created a hunger for heritage foods that fit modern lifestyles—convenient, sustainable, and shareable on social media. By transforming labor-intensive traditional recipes into accessible everyday products with bold branding, companies satisfy younger consumers' dual desires: honoring their roots while living firmly in the present.

Trend - Charcuterie, once relegated to specialty stores and European delicatessens, is experiencing a luxury makeover as brands reimagine cured meats through premium branding and elevated aesthetics. Legacy and newcomers alike are entering the market with sophisticated, Instagram-ready packaging and positioning.

Insight - The elevation of charcuterie reflects a deeper consumer desire for accessible luxury and shareworthy food experiences. Millennials and Gen Z, though budget-conscious, are willing to invest in premium pantry staples that offer affordable indulgence and signal cultural capital among their peers. As inflation impacts dining-out budgets and more social occasions center around home entertaining, these upgraded staples satisfy the consumer tension between aspirational consumption and financial reality.

Trend - Hotels and restaurants are launching fragrance-focused breakfast experiences that combine luxury fragrances with gourmet dishes, aiming to create multisensory experiences that enhance the overall ambiance, catering to the growing demand for unique and immersive culinary events.

Insight - Modern consumers, particularly food enthusiasts, are seeking unique and memorable dining experiences that engage all their senses. The desire for heightened experiences and the pressures of standing out in a competitive market have led to the creation of fragrance-focused dining services. By offering fragrance-focused breakfasts, hotels and restaurants can cater to the desires of modern diners for distinctive and immersive experiences, setting themselves apart in the market.

Trend - Brands are reinventing lunch kits for adults, advertising them as a convenient choice for those with packed schedules. Featuring a mix of crackers, fruits, and cheeses, these pre-packaged meals take the hassle out of morning prep, offering a stress-free way to enjoy a well-balanced bite on the go.

Insight - For busy consumers, meal preparation often takes a backseat to demanding schedules, leading many to opt for quick, convenient alternatives at the expense of nutrition. In response, brands are crafting multi-food boxes to help consumers save time and diversify their food intake, offering the same quality ingredients in a charcuterie-style format.
Businesses catering to the demand for portability and minimal preparation can appeal to consumers who do not have the time or resources to plan meals.

Trend - CPG snack brands are refreshing their packaging designs to draw more attention to their products while emphasizing standout features. These features include better-for-you ingredients and reduced environmental impact, with intent to capture younger audiences with such practices.

Insight - Younger consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious and health-focused in their purchasing decisions. There is a growing awareness of the impact of plastic waste and a desire to support brands that take active steps towards sustainability. Similarly, consumers are increasingly concerned about the ingredients in their food, seeking options free from artificial additives and high in nutritional value. Such pressures are leading to rebrand strategies to appeal to younger demographics.

Trend - Brands in the CPG food industry are releasing honey-based sauces infused with hot peppers. These sauces are intended to capitalize off the "swicy" trend which shows consumers gravitating toward foods that blend sweet and spicy flavors. The CPG format enables consumers to enjoy these flavors at home.

Insight - Food enthusiast are increasingly looking for more adventurous flavors and combinations. Among the foodie, there are various subsets of consumer, such as the health-conscious consumer, sensory eater, or the convenience eater. Each of these consumers overlap on "swicy" products, or those that blend sweet and spicy flavors, leading to a broader trend that shows clear, widespread consumer demand. Brands are appeasing these consumers with hot pepper-infused honey-based sauces.