Beloit, WI—What will drive food and beverage innovation in 2023? According to Kerry's annual Taste and Nutrition Charts, which provide an in-depth analysis of flavors, ingredients, and nutrition trends shaping innovation in the coming year, this year's spark comes from flavors inspired by legacy recipes, across generations of tradition globally.
Kerry reports that taste remains the top driver when it comes to food and beverage choices. In 2023, consumers will be motivated by simplicity, sustainability, and meeting their nutrition goals—but they won't be settling for basic. There will be a rise in unconventional flavor pairings and trends driven by lost traditions, simplicity, and comfort, according to Kerry.
Top insights for flavor innovation in 2023
- Age-old cooking practices and traditional recipes will trend. Consumers are prioritizing tradition and provenance. Apple cider vinegar, ashwagandha, and mushrooms will be a focus in snack and beverage applications, Kerry reports.
- Indulgent mashups will emerge. Kerry explains that indulgence will take on a new meaning, with younger consumers in particular seeking mashups of nostalgic foods and drinks combined with emerging flavor tonalities. As Kerry notes, this trend is augmented by the influence of social media channels.
- Unconventional blends of traditional ingredients will be in demand. Kerry points to emerging taste profiles from other regions, such as cloves, Herbs de Provence, saffron, fig, ube, dill, and desire for healthier beverages with functional ingredients such as ashwagandha.
- Consumers will seek value. As inflation hits home in 2023, consumers will be mindful of spending, yet will still gravitate toward products that allow "permissible indulgence," Kerry says.
“Flavors have a powerful way to convey a story – particularly when it comes to consumer trends and preferences," said Soumya Nair, Global Consumer Research and Insights Director at Kerry, in a press release. "This year we will witness the resurgence of time-honored traditions and heirloom recipes as consumers crave traditional tastes with new and emerging flavors. Comfort still reigns supreme – with peppermints, hazelnuts, chocolates, cheeses, chilies still dominating tastebuds. Whether a nostalgic treat, a comfort dish, or a healthy alternative consumers expect a greater variety of tastes in 2023. Through our in-depth research and insights from our teams across the globe, we are seeing how trends are traveling the world – with Asian flavors such as Cardamom, Japanese Miso, Gooseberry and Hawthorn, reaching Europe and North America, while popular dishes in Europe such as Moroccan Tahini and Italian Bolognaise inspiring innovation in Asia Pacific. Consumers are traveling the world through taste and we expect that interest and desire in authenticity to continue.”
