IDM ¦ Ingredients
Unusual flavor
combinations
Consumer trends drive innovation in flavor combinations
Lockdown measures worldwide
have led to consumer behavior
changes in relation to food consumption.
This change has been
marked by substantial shifts in
shopping patterns, meal preparation and
eating habits – with consumers reaching for
foods that provide emotional comfort as well
as health benefits, likely to herald a lasting
habit post-pandemic.1 As a result, manufacturers
are looking for new ways to push the
boundaries of flavor through research and
product development to appeal to this ‘consciously
indulgent’ consumer. Flavor trends
emerging in dairy products – milks, yogurts
and ice-creams – are allowing manufacturers
to create healthy, tasty, formulations that
consumers can indulge in and, while traditional
flavors like vanilla and chocolate are
still very popular, new preferences are highlighting
opportunities for more sophisticated
options.2
Flavors that highlight health
Within the dairy industry, producers are
coming up with new ways to deliver tailormade
products with unusual flavor combinations
that consumers will love, but that
are also in line with their needs. One particular
trend that has grown within the food
industry is health and wellness1 and ‘golden
milk’ – also known as turmeric milk – has
gained popularity for its health benefits in
Western cultures. This bright yellow beverage
is traditionally made by warming up
dairy or plant-based milk with turmeric and
other spices, such as cinnamon and ginger,
or used to create turmeric lattes. Popularized
for its many assumed health benefits,
including boosting longevity, turmeric milk is
often used as an alternative remedy to support
immune health.3
It’s not only spices where unusual flavor
combinations are being utilized to meet consumer
demands. Worldwide, cocoa is a popular
indulgence flavor for consumers. OFI’s
Joanes Brazilian cocoa powder has been
uniquely developed for use in dairy products,
with a no-sodium added cocoa option to
support health-conscious application recipes.
Because Joanes cocoa powders are obtained
Author: Kamesh Ellajosyula, Chief Innovation Officer, Olam Food Ingredients
Dairies are coming up with new ways to deliver tailor-made products with
unusual flavor combinations (photo: Olam)
16 · January/February 2021 ¦ international-dairy.com
/international-dairy.com
