| survival instinct and taste stimuli allowed the earliest | | | | is driving the growth of functional foods and bold |
| humans to identify and select the most beneficial | | | | flavors. |
| nutrients and avoid the poisonous ones. New research | | | | • Immigration and travel are contributing to an |
| suggests that our experience of taste is programmed | | | | increased interest in exotic foods including Latin |
| into our genes, and is influenced by factors as diverse | | | | American cuisines such as Mexican and Peruvian; |
| as gender, ethnicity, upbringing, weight, and perception | | | | • Health and wellness is one of the most important |
| of color. | | | | trends in food flavoring and is driving innovation. Taste |
| The flavor sector spans multiple industries globally; | | | | replacement technology is at the forefront of flavor |
| from food and beverage manufacturers to chemistry, | | | | development, and industry players are collaborating to |
| biotechnology, genetic engineering, and horticulture. | | | | produce healthy applications; |
| Current and emerging trends in taste and flavor are | | | | • Health and ethical concerns are converging and |
| resulting in new challenges and new opportunities for | | | | ‘natural' claims are losing consumer value due to |
| the industry. This report will identify, evaluate, and | | | | their ubiquity; |
| demonstrate these trends, and outline some of the | | | | • Media and technology is impacting flavor |
| key ensuing market opportunities. . | | | | development by increasing access to information. Food |
| Key features of this report | | | | bloggers can influence the popularity and growth of |
| • Identifies the macro drivers that are shaping | | | | flavors and manufacturers are able to track consumer |
| trends in the food industry and the tastes and flavors | | | | preferences more effectively; |
| that are emerging as a result. | | | | Key findings from this report |
| • Analyses the top and fastest growing flavors in | | | | • Dairy is a key category for flavor innovation, and |
| 2009 across a range of food sectors, | | | | had the most significant flavor movements in 2009 |
| • and the most popular product claims in each | | | | • The dairy sector is primarily dominated by stable |
| category. | | | | and consistently popular sweet flavors, particularly |
| • Provides a detailed industry perspective by | | | | classic fruits. Milk and yogurt products had the most |
| outlining the regulatory and scientific developments | | | | innovation in terms of new flavors and chocolate was |
| impacting the flavor industry. | | | | the highest occurring flavor in desserts. |
| • Evaluates the key innovations in food flavoring | | | | • Chocolate and fruit are the most popular |
| and explores the leading scientific discoveries, | | | | confectionery flavors and exotic fruits continue to |
| company developments, and NPD. | | | | grow. Botanical and flower flavors are also on the |
| • Assesses how macro trends and key industry | | | | increase, appearing in more new products in 2009 |
| issues will shape the future development of food and | | | | compared to 2008. |
| drinks flavors. | | | | • Traditional flavors dominate the bakery and |
| Scope of this report | | | | cereals sector, although coconut and ginger are gaining |
| • Identify the most popular flavors by category and | | | | popularity. |
| sub-category and gain insight into the future potential | | | | • Chocolate declined as a snack flavor, while ethnic |
| of these flavors. | | | | and experimental flavors appeared in more new |
| • Evaluate growth opportunities within food and | | | | products. Spicy flavors grew in importance in potato |
| drinks flavors and identify the emerging consumer | | | | chips, and more healthy alternatives were launched in |
| segments and their market potential. | | | | 2009. |
| • Understanding the main challenges facing the food | | | | Key questions answered |
| and drinks flavors industry, and establish how to gain | | | | • What are the key global macro-economic and |
| competitive advantage. | | | | social drivers affecting food flavors in 2009? |
| • Gain insight into the latest scientific and | | | | • What flavor trends and opportunities are |
| technological and innovations driving the flavors | | | | emerging from macro drivers? |
| industry. | | | | • What are the top food flavors and product claims |
| Key Market Issues | | | | in each market sector in 2008-2009? |
| • Significant demographic shifts are impacting | | | | • Which flavors are growing in popularity, and which |
| consumers' food preferences and an aging population | | | | are declining? |