Brands are popularizing taro flavoring in drinks and foods in North America
Trend - Brands are launching teas, ice creams, and other sweet foods made with taro flavoring. Taro is a popular starchy ingredient from Southeast Asia that appeals to western customers for its subtle sweetness and nutty flavor. The introduction of Taro in the west offers more variety for consumers.
Insight - Consumers in North America are continually searching for new flavors, specifically with respect to dessert-style drinks and foods, as sweet flavors are easy for customers to try. This places pressure on brands to look outward and try flavors and ingredients from other cultures, rather than trying to find new mixtures of flavors already popular in the west. Consumers then become drawn to these flavors as modern trends or obsessions, despite the long-standing history in other regions.
Insight - Consumers in North America are continually searching for new flavors, specifically with respect to dessert-style drinks and foods, as sweet flavors are easy for customers to try. This places pressure on brands to look outward and try flavors and ingredients from other cultures, rather than trying to find new mixtures of flavors already popular in the west. Consumers then become drawn to these flavors as modern trends or obsessions, despite the long-standing history in other regions.
Workshop Question - How could your brand incorporate cultural flavors into new products?
Trend Themes
1. Innovative Flavors - Brands are exploring and offering unique flavor combinations that appeal to consumers' desire for new and exciting taste sensations.
2. Convenience and Portability - Brands are catering to consumers' busy lifestyles by offering convenient and portable options, such as instant kits and canned drinks.
3. Authenticity and Cultural Influence - Consumers are drawn towards trends and products that showcase authenticity and cultural influence, leading brands to experiment with traditional and historical ingredients.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - Innovative flavors and unique products have captured the attention of food and beverage consumers looking to explore new tastes.
2. Retail - Convenience and portability in food and beverage products is a disruptive innovation opportunity for retailers looking to meet the needs of busy consumers.
3. Cultural and Ethnic Market - The growing interest and demand for authentic ethnic products has led to disruptive innovation opportunities for companies in the cultural and ethnic market.
