KANSAS CITY — Consumers want more sensory impact from every bite they take. Many are leaning into flavor to tantalize their tastebuds. It's not about making flavor extreme, rather it's about making flavor more interesting. A familiar flavor invites. An unexpected twist gives consumers a reason to keep eating and talking about it.
"Snacks may be small, but consumer expectations for them are anything but," said Anna Lada, senior marketing specialist at Flavor Producers, a Glanbia company. "People increasingly want a snack to deliver a full experience, whether that means comfort, excitement, discovery or simply a moment of indulgence in the middle of the day. Flavor is one of the most immediate ways to create that experience."
People are gravitating toward flavors with more dimension. Many want a characterizing flavor balanced with one or more of the five basic tastes of bitter, salty, sour, sweet or umami.
"They do not just want chocolate, for example," Lada said. "They want chocolate layered with sea salt, espresso, toasted nuts, warm spice or chili. Even familiar flavors are being asked to work harder."
Ryan Kukuruzovic, director of culinary and executive chef, Wixon Inc., ...