Spotlight on Soup Trends

There might not be any food category that evokes feelings of comfort and nostalgia quite like the soup category. Consumers turn to soup when they are feeling physically unwell, when the weather is cold, or simply when they need some extra comfort. And now more than ever, consumers are also looking to soup to support their dietary needs and incorporate functional ingredients into their diets in an appetizing and convenient way.

Like with any category, consumer preferences for soup are continuing to evolve, making it imperative for brands to focus on innovating to meet consumers’ needs and expectations. Keep reading for our experts’ recommendations on how to launch new soup products that consumers will totally crave.

Global Inspiration

International foods and flavors have been trending across the board for the past few years, with consumers zeroing in on a few cuisines each year to get especially excited about. Lately, Korean, Peruvian, Ethiopian, and Indian cuisines have all been gaining steam in foodservice, which means that consumers will expect retail brands to begin innovating around these cuisines to satisfy their cravings.

Appeal to adventurous consumers by bringing international inspiration to your soup products. One option is to introduce consumers to classic soups from trending regions. Think a Thai coconut soup or a Portuguese gazpacho. Another option? Incorporate flavors from trending cuisines to familiar favorites for soups that take consumers a bit out of their comfort zones – but not too far. Think a chicken noodle soup featuring an Indian spice blend or a beef and vegetable soup with Ethiopian berbere.

Focus on Functional

Consumers perceive soup to be a healthy meal or even snack option, making it the ideal category for innovating with the latest health and wellness trends. With health and wellness top-of-mind, consumers have been looking to the grocery store aisles, rather than the pharmacy, for solutions for their most pressing health concerns. From immunity support to cardiovascular wellness, consumers are using food and beverage products to address a wide range of health issues.

Consider incorporating trending functional ingredients into soup products to help support consumers’ health and wellness goals. Spices and herbs, for example, have been trending for their potential anti-inflammatory properties and are ideal for incorporating into existing soup products.

Lean into Comfort

Soup is inherently comforting and nostalgic, holding a special place in consumers’ hearts. With stress levels continuing to increase amongst consumers of all ages, they will be turning to soup now more than ever to help them manage the stresses and anxieties of everyday life.

There are several ways in which brands can embrace soup as a comfort food and appeal to consumers who are relying on comfort food to get through tough times. First of all, offering modern takes on classic soups, like chicken noodle and vegetable, is an ideal option for providing that sense of comfort while still giving consumers something new to get excited about. Another option is to offer extra indulgent soup options, as consumers tend to seek out indulgence when looking for comfort.

Ready to innovate with your soup products? Contact us today to see how Fuchs can help you make something special.