As consumers continue to seek healthier, better-for-you products, plant-based foods and beverages are inundating the market with no signs of waning and sober curious consumers are exploring low and no alcohol beverage options. The younger demographics continue to explore multicultural flavors with a current cultural affinity for Asian flavors while the popularity of raw cookie dough has remained prevalent as consumers enjoy nostalgic treats.

In response to the consumers’ evolving behavior, Comax Flavors introduces the 2020 Flavor Trends—divided into four unique flavor collections. Plant-Powered Snacks capitalizes on consumers’ quest for better-for-you plant-based foods and the trend to snacking while No Proof Needed addresses sober curious consumers’ interest in low and no alcohol beverages. Asian Influences taps into the growing younger demographics’ attraction to Asian flavors driven by unique colors and textures while So Doughlicious focuses on consumers’ appetite for nostalgic indulgence. 

Each Comax Flavor collection is comprised of a variety of food and beverage applications such as plant-based applications, snacks, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, beverage syrups, dairy, ice cream, confections, baked goods, and nutrition and performance products.

Plant-Powered Snacks

According to Innova Market Insights, there was a 17% increase in the growth of snacks with a health claim in launches between 2013 and 2017 and a 22% rise in those with a nutritious claim. Launches with plant-based ingredients grew at a 44% CAGR during the period. Furthermore, 80% of consumers are willing to pay more for snacks with health attributes, according to the Hartman Group’s The Future of Snacking Study. 

“To address consumers’ insatiable quest for better-for-you plant-based foods, Comax created the Plant-Powered Snacks collection formulated for a variety of snacks,” says Catherine Armstrong, vice president of corporate communications for Comax Flavors. 

This plant-based collection is vegan, kosher and can be used in all plant-based applications.

Flavors in this group include:

Maple Bacon Ranch, Honey Sriracha, and Lemon Truffle

No Proof Needed

According to IWSR, bottled low and no alcohol beverages in the U.S. will grow by about 32% between 2018 and 2022, which represents triple the category’s growth during the previous five years. This growth is evidenced by consumers’ changing behavior. 

According to Morning Consult data, nearly half of consumers, regardless of age, have purchased non-alcoholic alternatives, and just over four in 10 of the drinking-age population does not drink. 

“Individuals are cutting back on drinking for a variety of reasons and many are looking for low or no alcohol beverages with fewer calories, less sugar, and better-for-you profiles,” notes Armstrong. “To meet the growing demand, Comax Flavors created the No Proof Needed range.” 

This spirited collection can be used in numerous applications such as low proof alcohol, non-alcoholic beverages and beverage syrups, as well as dairy applications and confections.

Flavors in this group include:

Matcha Pineapple Punch-less, No-Geroni, and Mango-No-Tini

Asian Influences

The younger generation continues to crave adventurous and authentic global flavors and share their discoveries on Instagram as well as other social media sites. Attracted to unique flavors, colors, and textures, there has been a boom in Asian food and beverages. According to Foodable Research Labs, Asian flavors on menus at fast-casual restaurants are up nearly 30% year over year. Furthermore, millennials have increased menu consumption of Asian flavor-based menu items by more than 12% year over year. “Comax recognizes the younger generations’ desire to experiment, explore global flavors, and broadcast their experiences on social media. In response, Comax has created the Asian Influences collection inspired by trending food and beverages,” notes Armstrong. This Asian inspired, multicultural flavor collection can be used in several applications such as non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, beverage syrups, dairy, ice cream, baked goods, and nutrition and performance products.

Flavors in this group include:

Milk Tea, Japanese Pancake, and Ube Vanilla

So Doughlicious

Eating raw cookie dough is a nostalgic act and thanks to pasteurization and heat treatment, 2017 was the breakout year for safe, edible raw cookie dough. Regardless of age, edible cookie dough continues to excite adults and children alike. 

According to Technomic’s MenuMonitor, cookie dough is seeing a 9% year over year growth on restaurant menus while the cookie category increased 2.6% to reach $8.8 billion for the 52 weeks ending March 24, 2019, according to IRI data. 

“Whether raw or baked, consumers of all ages have a soft spot for cookies and Comax created the So Doughlicious assortment as a nod to childhood,” says Armstrong. 

This comforting and nostalgic collection can be used in a variety of applications such as dairy, ice cream, baked goods, nutrition and performance products, confections, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, and beverage syrups.

Flavors in this group include:

Birthday Cake Cookie Dough, Cold Brew Coffee Cookie Dough, and S’mores Cookie Dough

For more information, visit Comax’s website www.comaxflavors.com.