Specialty Food Association’s Trendspotter Panel tasted offerings from more than 1,000 exhibitors at last month's Winter Fancy Food Show to discover the products and flavors that will guide the industry.
The panel identified the following five top emerging trends from the event: Plant-Based Passport, Yuzu, Upcycled and Upscaled, Fruits as Snacks, and New Takes on Classics.
“The Winter Fancy Food Show gave participants an advance look at the year ahead in specialty foods. Thanks to our Trendspotters, as well as many other experts and influencers who joined us in Las Vegas, our Show provides crucial insights and forecasting at the start of the food industry's annual cycle,” said Bill Lynch, president of SFA, in a statement.
Members of the Trendspotter Panel include Patsy Ramirez-Arroyo, PG Consulting Group, LLC; Jenn de la Vega, Randwiches; Jonathan Deutsch, PhD, CHE, CRC, Drexel Food Lab; Jeanette Donnarumma, recipe developer/tester and content creator; Sarah Lohman, culinary historian and author; Chef Clara Park, writer; Wendy Robinson, Market Hall Foods; Kantha Shelke, Ph.D., CFS, IFT Fellow, Corvus Blue LLC; Cathy Strange, Whole Foods; and V. Sheree Williams, Cuisine Noir and Global Food and Drink Initiative.
Top Trends from the 2024 Winter Fancy Food Show
Plant-Based Passport
Flavor innovations abound as global comfort foods appeal to vegan and vegetarian audiences with plant-based ingredients. Said Trendspotter Clara Park of a plant-based spicy bulgogi spotted on the Show floor, “The plant-based innovation on a very popular Korean beef dish allows more accessibility for diners. Vegetarians and vegans can now enjoy the flavor of Korean barbecue, hurray!” Examples:
• Aki Foods plant-based pork tonkotsu
• Ibiden Bussan Co Ltd animal-free shrimp
• Masaru Foods plant-based tonkotsu broth
• Jayone Foods plant-based spicy bulgogi
• Prime Roots x Three Little Pigs Black Truffle Koji-Pate
• Sobo Foods Plant-Based “Pork” and Chive Dumpling
• Sunday Supper Mozza Fritto
• Xinca Foods Four Loroco and Cheese Pupusas
Yuzu
Japanese citrus fruit yuzu was “everywhere” at the Winter Fancy Food Show, flavoring foods from a variety of categories, including drinks, ranch dressing, soy sauce, and candied dried fruit peels, said Trendspotter Jenn de la Vega. Added Park, “Everyone loves lemon and citrus. But how you make it new again is with the Japanese citrus, yuzu.” Examples:
• Domoto Food Yuzu Kosho
• Kankitsu Labo Yuzu Sherbet
• Maeda-en Yuzu Sherbet
• Moshi Yuzu Sparkling Beverage
Upcycled and Upscaled
Ugly fruits and byproducts that would otherwise end up in landfills are getting a glow-up in upcycled specialty products that have been further elevated by high-end packaging that looks good and is often sustainable. “For upcycled brands, the packaging will ideally match the sustainability-focus of the product,” said Trendspotter Jonathan Deutsch. “As sustainable packaging gets more sophisticated and affordable, brands can align their better-for-the planet mission beyond the product to include the packaging." Examples:
• Pressed Juicery Cold Pressed Juices
• Rancho Meladuco California Grown Dates
• Wheyward Spirit Whisky
Fruits as Snacks
Whether enjoyed on their own, elevated with an indulgent ingredient, or used in an inventive way, nature’s candies are breathing new life into snacking occasions. “We’re seeing a push away from highly processed foods and a return to fruit as snacks,” said Trendspotter Deutsch. Examples:
• Kankitsu Labu Dry Candied Citrus Peels
• Liko Lehua Guava Butter
• Lolly’s Frozen Grapes
• Shizuoka Crown Melon
• Sun World AUTUMNCRISP Grapes
New Takes on Classics
Many of the new products on the Fancy Food Show floor “combine innovation with a classic twist,” said Trendspotter Patsy Ramirez-Arroyo who cited Acme Smoked Fish Lox in a Box as an example. “Taste the elegance of fancy Lunchables featuring smoked salmon, cream cheese, or avocado paired with crackers.” Examples:
• Cookies con Amore Glutenetto gluten-free cookies
• Acme Smoked Fish Lox in a Box
• Tempesta Artisan Salumi Wagyu Pastrami
• Unha’s Asian Snack Box Spicy Carbonara Tteokbokki
• Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co. Rocket Pop
CONTINUING TO TREND
Non-Alcoholic Comes of Age
Spirit-free cocktails and mixers with sophisticated flavor profiles in upscale vessels are elevating dry drinking occasions. “Dry January used to be a thing, but more and more people are embracing the lifestyle behind the month and therefore restaurants and bars need to go beyond soft drinks,” said Trendspotter V. Sheree Williams. “Tilden and a few other brands are trying to tap into this growing market with innovative flavors and textures that make the drinks go beyond juice.” Examples:
• RSRV Collective Amari Kensho Cocktail
• Mixly Cocktail Co. premium mixers
• Tilden Tandem non-alcoholic cocktail
Nuanced Heat
“Consumers are getting a lot more nuanced when it comes to how they’re using heat,” said Deutsch. “Do they want fruit-forward or roasted or spiced kind of heat? Now it’s more about the nuance and the right chili pepper for the right product. I’m so happy manufacturers aren’t dumbing down heat for mainstream Americans. I tasted some really spicy things and I think people are up to the task of trying them.” Examples:
• Chili Royale Hot Sichuan Sizzle Chili Crisp
• Grumpy Ginger Malaysian Red Curry Paste
• Hot Mama Salsa Chili de Arbol Chili Oil
• KRS Garlic Chili Crisp
• Tari Peruvian Everything Sauce
Mushrooms
“Mushrooms! Mushrooms! Mushrooms! An ancient clean label flavor booster for the specialty food aisle,” said Trendspotter Kantha Shelke. Examples:
• High Country Fungus Magic Mocha, Magic Chai, and Magic Coco
• Terreland Shiitake Chips Wasabi
• Kuze Fuku & Sons Matsutake Shoyu
• Meat the Mushroom SHROOMACON