Torani has revealed its 2023 Pourcast Flavor of the Year: Torani Puremade Toasted Black Sesame Syrup.
This globally inspired flavor leans into two consumer trends: “culinary tourism,” characterized by consumers’ desire to experience other cultures by tasting their most interesting flavors, and “Instagrammable” experiences, driven by Gen Z's growing interest in eye-catching foods and beverages, according to the maker.
“After over thirty years at Torani, this is one of my favorite projects to date. Our team puts years of research and development into our Flavor of the Year, and Torani Puremade Black Sesame Syrup again showcases our passion and dedication for being an amazing flavor company,” said Melanie Dulbecco, CEO at Torani, in a statement. “Torani Salted Egg Yolk hit it out of the park last year, and Torani Black Sesame is a fantastic sequel.”
Black sesame seeds are prevalent in several Asian cuisines, including Japanese, Chinese, and Indian dishes. They are commonly used in both savory and sweet foods and beverages. As such, the syrup is intended for use in a variety of applications.
“Our team tracks trends from many different spaces, looking at flavors that appear on grocery store shelves to fine dining menus, and everywhere in between,” said Andrea Ramirez, consumer & customer market insight manager at Torani, in a statement. “We also research categories well beyond the realm of beverages, including confection, bakery, ice cream, snacks, and even condiments. From all this research, patterns begin to emerge that help us narrow down our Flavor of the Year. We want Torani’s Flavor of the Year to be a flavor that is ready to join the ‘big leagues.’”
Black sesame’s popularity has grown in recent years, as indicated by a steady increase in online searches over the last 15 years, according to Google Trends data. Interest has grown significantly among North American consumers, as demonstrated by Humphry Slocombe’s fan-favorite Black Sesame Ice Cream, which was awarded the Specialty Food Association’s sofi Award in 2018, and Starbucks Canada’s Black Sesame Tea Latte, which debuted in 2019.
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