With cocoa prices expected to remain out of control until way into 2026, food and beverage companies are getting creative with local flavors and domestically grown crops. This is apparent in what the dairy and alt-dairy industries are experiencing this autumn.
Both apples and maple are in full force. Caramel is having a day, too. They are giving pumpkin a good run this season!
Up until the early 1990s, the U.S. led the world in growing apples. Now the U.S. is in a solid second spot, with China the leader. China is also the leader in pumpkin production. The U.S. barely holds onto the number-five spot. While Canada—namely Quebec—produces the majority of the world’s pure maple syrup, the U.S.—led by Vermont—comes in second place.
There is something comforting about apples and maple syrup, not necessarily together, but why not? Caramel is often considered a distant cousin to maple. They share a sweet brown profile, which enables them to flavor together in harmony. And they both taste great when salted!
Please take note. These are not boring flavors. They are nostalgic flavors with a twist, many born through a collaboration of brands.
Read more about flavor trends in a feature article I wrote on the topic for Food Business News by linking HERE.
Check out these dairy and alt-dairy innovations that have rolled out over the past month. Many are seasonal items and will be in distribution through the end of November, or until suppliers last.
While exploring, think about how these great U.S. flavors can be highlighted this spring. How about weaving some local citrus profiles into them. Think lemon caramel, salty lime and strawberry tangerine.
Citrus is what the swicy (sweet and spicy) trend is all about. The sweet-heat flavor profile involves chiles and citrus. Tajín is one such example. The initial taste of this Mexican seasoning is some mild heat from chili peppers, which is followed by a burst of tanginess from lime and finished with a kick of salt. Emmi Roth has taken its Athenos feta cheese south-of-the-border with a variant dusted in Tajín.
As someone who never much cared for chocolate milk, I would like to see more in the strawberry milk space. After all, one of the best ways to celebrate the end of a cold, dreary winter is with fresh berries. More on this next week!
Look what coffee chain Dutch Bros is up to. The company brought back Caramel Pumpkin Brûlée, and with it, is rolling out Caramel Apple Rebel (the nostalgic lollipop flavor with green apple and salted caramel infused together in an energy drink with a green apple and salted caramel float) and Cookie Butter Latte (cookie butter-flavored coffee and milk with cookie butter swirl lines inside of the cup and a final touch of Soft Top and cookie butter drizzle).
The Coffee Bean & Tea is also staying away from any flavor that relies heavily on cocoa. The chain is embracing the season by bringing its classic Pumpkin collection of beverages back on the menu and introducing the new flavor of Salted Maple. The company is offering many of these seasonal drinks with an added twist.
The new Iced Pumpkin Dirty Chai Latte with Cream Cap, for example, is the classic Pumpkin Chai Latte but made with a shot of espresso to make it dirty and topped off with a cream cap.
Califia Farms, a plant-based beverage brand, has brought back its fan-favorite Pumpkin Spice products and has expanded its Caramel Apple line. The Caramel Apple Crumble Oat Creamer is joined by Caramel Apple Almond Latte and Maple Waffle Almond Creamer.
General Mills has brough back Oui Pumpkin Caramel whole milk yogurt, with Cinnamon Apple making its debut. It has real apple pieces atop a creamy cinnamon base.
Goodbye Summer 2024!
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