It’s no secret that smoked, roasted, and toasted flavors have won over consumers over the past few years. Indeed, consumers have expressed much interest in flavors that draw inspiration from specific cooking methods. Unsurprisingly, though, these once sought-after flavor profiles are becoming less appealing to consumers who are tired of more-of-the-same. It’s time to look beyond familiar preparations, like grilled, toasted, roasted, and smoked, that have infiltrated seemingly every product category, and instead, get creative with emerging cooking method inspired flavors.
Foodservice is the first place to look for flavor inspiration, as once consumers gain exposure to new cooking methods and preparations in restaurants, they’ll expect to see flavors that evoke those techniques in retail products. Which cooking methods and preparations are beginning to trend? Keep reading for our experts’ analysis on up-and-coming methods and preparations in foodservice – and our insights into how brands can translate these trends into exciting new flavors.
Elevate Existing Options with Specificity
Cooking method callouts are popular for two reasons: 1) these flavors provide complexity and 2) they offer specificity. Consumers know when they purchase products that evoke a particular cooking method or preparation, they’re going to experience a flavor that isn’t basic or one-note and that will deliver a very specific flavor profile that they’re familiar with from foodservice.
Several cooking methods that go beyond simply “smoked” or “grilled” and offer more specificity are trending foodservice. Flavors like wood fired, charred, hickory smoked, flambeed, and cedar plank grilled capitalize on the popularity of smoky and grilled flavors, but provide even more specific flavor notes. Consider drawing inspiration from – and calling out – very specific cooking methods to stand out on grocery store shelves.
Make Room for More Cooking Methods for Meats
Smoked, grilled, and roasted flavors have been among the top cooking method inspired flavors in recent years. These flavors are inspired by cooking methods for meats, so it makes sense to look
to other cooking methods for meats and proteins for flavor inspiration. These preparations are likely to be at least somewhat familiar to consumers but have yet to make their way outside of the protein aisle.
Braising is among the top up-and-coming cooking methods for meats in foodservice. This method delivers some smoky notes, attributed to the pan-searing step of the cooking process. It also offers a rich, savory flavor, thanks to slow cooking proteins in braising liquid with aromatic spices. Comfort food has recently seen a resurgence, so braising is perfectly poised for appealing to trend-conscious consumers. Honey curing, brining, searing, and slow cooking are also on the rise in foodservice and may lend themselves well to inspiring new flavors.
Go for Global & Regional Cooking Preparations
The popularity of global and regional flavors is undeniable. Consumers have been expanding their horizons with the foods and flavors of places both near and far, using menu items and retail products as a means of exploration. As consumers have been exposed to new and different cuisines, they have also been exposed to a wider range of cooking methods. These methods and preparations have already begun to take off in foodservice, and it’s only a matter of time until they start making more appearances in retail.
Cajun cuisine has been winning over consumers as one of the most sought-after regional American cuisines. Blackened chicken and seafood dishes are staples in Cajun cuisine, and as such, this cooking technique has been trending in foodservice. Given the craze surrounding Asian cuisine, it makes sense that Asian cooking and preparation methods, like wok fried, stir fried, and tempura, are witnessing growth in foodservice. Similarly, cooking methods common in Indian cuisine, like tandoori, are also taking off. Capitalize on consumers’ cravings for trending global and regional cuisines by drawing inspirations from the cooking methods and preparations that are unique to those regions.
Interested in bringing the flavors of trending cooking methods and preparations to your products? Contact us today to see how Fuchs can help you make something special.