Earlier this year, Beverage Industry’s 2011 Product Development Survey forecasted a return to traditional flavors. Survey respondents indicated that traditional flavors, such as chocolate, vanilla and strawberry, remained popular choices, but rising stars such as superfruits were not as popular as lemon, lime and orange flavors. Now more than mid-way through the year, ingredient suppliers are reporting that industry flavor trends continue to include superfruits as well as several twists on traditional favorites.
The “twist” could be as simple as offering a specific varietal of a popular fruit, such as Valencia orange, Meyer lemon or Granny Smith apple. Robertet Flavors has developed natural varietal fruit flavors that apply to a number of trends, says Suzanne Niekrasz, director of marketing communications for the Piscataway, N.J.-based company.