In honor of Valentine’s day, we’re taking a look at a few ways to translate go-to Valentine’s Day foods and beverages into flavors for snacks.
When it comes to snack LTOs, capitalizing on the excitement of holidays is a surefire way to get consumers’ attention as they seek to get in the spirit of the next holiday. While many LTOs center around Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, there’s another winter holiday that deserves that same kind of buzz: Valentine’s Day. From chocolate to champagne, beloved Valentine’s Day foods and flavors make for snack flavor inspiration that consumers will love. Keep reading to get a head start on your LTO planning for next Valentine’s Day.
Chocolate Everything
When we think Valentine’s Day, the first thing that comes to mind are those big, heart-shaped boxes of chocolate. Fortunately, chocolate pairs perfectly with many snack bases including popcorn, rice cakes, puffs, and more. With consumers constantly seeking out something unique, go beyond milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and other traditional chocolate varieties. Look for inspiration from popular chocolate candies. Think chocolate mint and chocolate caramel with sea salt.
Chocolate desserts are a hallmark of Valentine’s Day. Bring them to the snack aisle to give consumers the opportunity to indulge in these flavors without all of the cooking – and without needing to leave the comfort of their couch. Flavors like chocolate covered strawberries and cherries, cookies & cream chocolate mousse, and chocolate raspberry cheesecake have mass appeal and will get consumers excited about Valentine’s Day, regardless of their relationship status.
Use chocolate as a starting point for a Valentine’s Day themed flavor that’s a bit more outside-the-box. Combine it with five spice for a sweet-heat flavor for potato chips, tortilla chips, and popcorn, or offer a chocolate barbeque for potato chips and puffs. Consumers who are looking to low-key celebrate Valentine’s Day – and those who aren’t looking to celebrate at all – will appreciate flavors that don’t scream romance, but still allow them to indulge in something we all love: chocolate.
Bubbly Beverages
Snack seasonings inspired by beverages are always a great idea, regardless of holiday or season. When it comes to Valentine’s Day LTOs, champagne is where it’s at. Popping rocks can help make a champagne seasoning give a bubbly, more authentic mouthfeel. Shake things up by offering a strawberry champagne or raspberry champagne seasoning on popcorn or puffs. Other bubbly beverage inspired flavors, like sparkling red wine, are also sure to attract consumers.
Look beyond the bubbly for more alcohol-inspired flavors that consumers will totally love. Think rosé, white wine, sangria, and martini with olive. These flavors will translate well to seasonings for popcorn, puffs, and even potato chips.
Ready to create your own Valentine’s Day inspired snack LTO? Contact us today to see how Fuchs can help you create something special.