There’s something special about seafood! It had long been a culinary sensation among consumers and these days, it’s trending for a variety of reasons. Celebrated for its versatility, health benefits, and sustainability, the demand for fresh, high-quality seafood is on the rise. With health and wellness top-of-mind, consumers are gravitating towards seafood as a key component of their diets. It’s also a staple in many popular global cuisines right now, and as a result, consumers are getting more intrigued by the unique ways in which they can incorporate more seafood into their daily lives.
Additionally, the growing emphasis on sustainable and ethically sourced food has made seafood a popular choice for those looking to make environmentally conscious dining decisions. Keep reading to get our experts’ takes on how seafood is making waves in the ever-changing culinary world.
Exotic Delicacies
Seafood caters to diverse tastes and preferences, making it a perfect option for adventurous and non-adventurous consumers alike to explore their options. From the light flavors of white fish, like cod and haddock, to the rich, buttery taste of shellfish, such as lobster and crab, there’s something for everyone. While some seafood options, like salmon, shrimp, and tilapia, will always be popular, consumers are starting to diversify their seafood choices, turning to less familiar options instead.
Exotic options like octopus, squid, and sea urchin are popping up more regularly on restaurant menus and provide adventurous eaters with exciting new flavors and textures to explore. Consumers are discovering a wider array of seafood dishes through social media and through trying new global cuisines, which is fueling their cravings for new-to-them dushes featuring exotic varieties of seafood.
Seafood Seasonings
Just as there are many different types of seafood, there are seemingly endless possibilities for flavoring seafood. Seasoning seafood can enhance its natural flavors, and most seafood bases are versatile, making them ideal for a wide range of flavor profiles. Whether it’s a classic flavor, like lemon and herb or Cajun, or a trendy flavor like tamarind or Korean BBQ, in-demand flavors can be a unique addition to frozen and fresh seafood options.
There’s no doubt that consumers have been interested in turning up the heat for all food products. Incorporating spicy flavors, especially those that feature bold and exotic peppers, like serrano pepper and ghost pepper, is an easy way to capture the attention of seafood lovers. Another option for capitalizing on the spicy flavor trend? Embrace internationally inspired spicy flavors, like kimchi or harissa, that are already gaining in popularity among consumers.
Convenience, Sustainability, and Flavor
Three of the most important attributes of retail and foodservice menu items are convenience, sustainability, and flavor. Consumers are increasingly seeking convenient healthy options without compromising on quality. To offer an easy and convenient way for consumers to eat seafood, brands are creating ready-to-cook, pre-seasoned seafood options. Seafood can now be an easy and flavorful option for any day of the week, giving consumers even more of a reason to try both well-known and more exotic seafood dishes.
Consumers are growing increasingly concerned about climate change. To help do their part in combatting the climate crisis, they’ve been gravitating towards sustainable food options. When compared to other proteins, seafood is a more sustainable choice, which is influencing consumers’ purchasing decisions. Seafood brands should consider emphasizing their sustainability practices and the ways in which they support conservation to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
With consumers are seeking out convenience, sustainability, and innovative seasoning flavors, seafood brands have the perfect opportunity to capitalize on all three of these trends and consumer demands by introducing unique seasoning pairings that cater to consumers of all ages.
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