For clients of Erick Conway, please see CLICK HERE to see important details related to the Strong Valley transition.
Call Our Office
(559) 384-2900 | Fresno
(619) 480-1413 | San Diego
Your Money
Your Life
Your Way
Article

Consumer-Driven Flavor & Color Innovations

Consumer-Driven Flavor and Color Innovations

Four trends have been identified as driving the 2024 innovation roadmap for the food and beverage industry. These trends reflect a changing global palate where consumers are more informed, connected, and expressive than ever before. These key trends can provide a peek into consumer-driven innovation to apply to a variety of businesses looking to update their brand.

May 12, 2024
Consumer-Driven Flavor and Color Innovations
Important Disclosure: Content on our website and in our newsletters is for informational purposes only. The information provided may (or may not) directly apply to your situation. We recommend that readers work directly with a professional advisor when making decisions in the context of their specific situation.

As the calendar settles into 2024, the food and beverage industry is undergoing a vibrant transformation, driven by consumer trends that seek personalization, affordability, health consciousness, and bold experimentation. Companies are tapping into the zeitgeist of the consumer market, identifying key trends that blend the allure of luxury with the pragmatism of affordability, the clarity of health transparency with the courage to push the sensory envelope. Let's delve into these trends that are painting the future of flavor and color innovation.

Luxe Self-Expression

The "luxe self-expression" trend is where culinary meets couture, allowing consumers to express their identities through what they eat and drink. This trend is characterized by a demand for rich, full flavors, and visually stimulating colors that make each dining experience a statement of individuality. Indulgence is savored through sophisticated flavor combinations such as caramelized fruits, warming cinnamon sugar, and the intriguing interplay between sweet and umami. This preference speaks to a consumer base that isn't just eating to live but living to eat — and doing so with flair. Vibrancy in color is an essential piece of this puzzle, with products donning hues that turn consumption into an act of self-expression.

Dare to Dupe

In a world where economic mindfulness is paramount, "dare to dupe" underscores the shift towards more wallet-friendly versions of favorite or nostalgic products.

This trend is less about imitation and more about innovation — offering sensory experiences reminiscent of premium brands or bygone treats but with a contemporary twist. Consumers are drawn to flavors that evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort, such as pistachio, cucumber, melon, and grapefruit. When it comes to color, this trend introduces a playful palette with shades like pink power, magical marigold, playful blue, and pistachio green. These shades are not just a feast for the eyes but a nod to the classics, with a modern and accessible twist.

Health Without Stealth

Transparency is key in the "health without stealth" trend, with consumers advocating for products that do not disguise their health benefits behind a façade of artificial additives. This movement is a clarion call for naturalness and honesty in flavor and color selections, demanding that healthy options not only taste good but look appealing in their natural state. The trend emphasizes the importance of a product's innate features, encouraging the use of naturally-derived colors and flavors that align with consumers' health aspirations.

The Adventurous Palate

"Breaking boundaries" takes us on a gustatory journey, inviting consumers to embrace the unorthodox and to taste the extraordinary. This trend is all about exploration and discovery, challenging preconceived notions of what flavors and colors belong together.

The color spectrum explodes with bold reds, vibrant pinks, rich purples, refined blues, saturated yellows, and earthy greens — each one an invitation to experience the unconventional. The flavors are just as daring, with grape, lychee, and Chinese shacha promising to transport taste buds to new realms of culinary excitement.

Innovation Informed by Consumers

The four trends identified for 2024 are more than just predictions; they are reflections of a changing global palate where consumers are more informed, connected, and expressive than ever before. For the food and beverage industry, these trends provide a roadmap for innovation that is attuned to the desires of a diverse and demanding customer base.

In this exciting new landscape, product developers and marketers are called to craft experiences that resonate with these emergent consumer values. The challenge is to blend the richness of flavors and the boldness of colors in ways that satisfy the longing for luxury, the need for affordability, the priority of health, and the thrill of the new. As companies lead the way in identifying these trends, the industry as a whole is set to embark on a creative journey that promises to redefine the way we think about what we eat and drink.

The Takeaway for Brands in 2024

As we gaze into the future of consumer-driven innovation, it is clear that the desires and demands of the marketplace are becoming more nuanced. To stay ahead, brands will need to not only observe these trends but also interpret and incorporate them into their product development processes.

The trends identified for 2024 encourage brands to be bold, to personalize, to prioritize health, and to blend cultural tastes and colors in exciting new ways. It's about creating a multi-sensory experience that resonates with consumers' evolving preferences, and ultimately, captures the essence of their aspirations and lifestyles.

Other content you may like

  • Money Market Assets at Historic Peak

    March 30, 2023
    This month’s Student of the Market looks at U.S. stock performance after peaks in Money Market fund assets and performance following peaks in inflation. The big question in many minds is “how long will this inflation last?” An answer might be found in these stats on prior inflation cycles. Plus a chart on a possible downside with risky income asset classes and more market insights.
    Read this Article
  • Investing Can Feel Turbulent

    Investing Can Feel Turbulent

    September 20, 2022
    After a big July for stocks, August was a bit disappointing at -4.1% even though historically the average return after “best months” is 1.1%. This month’s Student of the Market looks at those type of U.S. Stock Market ups and downs from a historical point of view, offering some relief to turbulent feelings by looking at the big picture.
    Read this Article
  • Five Questions to Ask as You Consider Retiring

    Five Questions to Ask as You Consider Retiring

    June 9, 2023
    Normal retirement age used to be 65, but things are different today. So how do you know when you’re mentally and financially ready for it? There are many things to consider before making this great change in your life. Here are five questions to help you examine your own unique circumstances to find out how, when and if you should retire.
    Read this Article
  • In the Heat of Summer, Remember Your Resolutions?

    In the Heat of Summer - Remember Your Resolutions?

    June 26, 2024
    Now is a good time to check-in and see how you’re really doing with your New Year’s resolutions. Here are some key issues that you might have thought about for your to-do list at the beginning of the year. But now the year is nearly half gone and those things are just as important now. You still have time to cross them off your list.
    Read this Article
  • The link you have selected is located on another server. The linked site contains information that has been created, published, maintained, or otherwise posted by institutions or organizations independent of this organization. We do not endorse, approve, certify, or control any linked websites, their sponsors, or any of their policies, activities, products, or services. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information contained therein. Visitors to any linked websites should not use or rely on the information contained therein until they have consulted with an independent financial professional. Please click “Continue to Link” to leave this website and proceed to the selected site.
    phone-handset