Kerry Outlines 2023 Flavor Trends

Taste and nutrition ingredient developer Kerry has shared its latest report detailing the trending flavors consumers are looking for from prepared foods and other products.

The 2023 Flavor Insights Report delves into the categories of Hot Beverages, Cold Beverages, Savory Flavor, Sweet Items and Nutritional Flavor trends for product development. Flavors are grouped into four categories: Mainstream (top flavors for the past five years), Key (verging on mainstream), Up-and-Coming (fastest-growing over the past three years) and Emerging (fastest-growing within the last year).

While the report is focused on foodservice products, the flavor insights could be useful for retailers looking to expand or update private label and prepared food offerings.

“This year we are seeing consumers desire emerging and adventurous flavors with mainstream favorites,” said Soumya Nair, Kerry’s Global Consumer Research and Insights Director. “Whether it’s a nostalgic treat, a comfort dish or a healthy alternative, consumers expect a greater variety of tastes in 2023. Our Flavor Insights provide an in-depth and concise analysis of the key flavors, ingredients and nutrition trends that will shape menu innovation over the coming year.”

In the Hot Beverage category, Kerry pointed to nostalgia as a major trend, pointing to products like Lavender White Mocha Lattes and a Hot and Spicy Horchata as winning flavor profiles. In the Cold Beverage category, the trends point to mixing-and-matching different flavors, including exotic and unique fruits like yuzu, apricot, prickly pear and more.

For Savory Flavors, Kerry noted a wide variety of flavors on the rise, but many were focused on smoky, savory and spicy flavors like Nashville Hot, habanero, Korean and tangy barbecue and more. Sweet Flavors highlighted in the report included salted caramel, dulce de leche, key lime pie, sea salt and more.

Finally, in the Nutrition category, Kerry noted emerging trends like antioxidants, added energy, no alcohol, low sugar, no allergens and keto-friendly as Up-and-Coming product attributes.

“Our research team follows trends in flavors and new menu products throughout the year in order to provide our foodservice customers with research-based recommendations that can help them to make winning menu decisions,” added Nair. “There is a lot of information out there, but Flavor Insights cuts through the noise to provide high-quality insights and market facts to chefs and product developers as they navigate a competitive and changing consumer landscape.”

The full flavor report can be found here.