When it comes to seafood innovation, global flavors are where it’s at! Now more than ever, consumers are turning to seafood to support their health and wellness goals, but they are quickly losing interest in basic seafood flavor pairings. Global flavors, however, remain in demand with consumers, as they offer an accessible and approachable means of exploration. As seafood is a staple in many global cuisines, now is the time for seafood brands to bring international flavors to their product offerings.
Which global cuisines and flavors hold the most promise for new seafood product launches? Keep reading for our experts’ insights into the latest global food and flavor trends – and how to innovate with internationally inspired flavors, ingredients, and dishes for seafood products and menu items that consumers won’t be able to get enough of.
Authentic Asian Flavor Inspiration
There is no denying the immense popularity of Asian cuisine! Consumers around the world remain obsessed with trying foods and beverages from across Asia, thanks to the diverse flavors, fresh ingredients, and health halo associated with Asian cuisine. Seafood happens to be prominently featured in most Asian cuisines, making Asian flavors a natural choice when innovating with seafood products and menu items.
To appeal to adventurous consumers, seafood brands should draw inspiration from authentic dishes from up-and-coming Asian cuisines. Malaysian and Singaporean cuisines, for example, have been picking up steam in foodservice, and dishes like chili crab, shrimp curry laksa, and nasi lemak are sure to excite consumers who are looking for exotic new seafood dishes to try.
To appeal to a broader consumer base, brands should look to more mainstream Asian cuisines for flavor inspiration. Korean, Chinese, and Japanese cuisines are familiar to most consumers, making them an ideal starting point for seafood innovation. And then there is Thai cuisine, which strikes the perfect balance between exotic and familiar. Thai seafood dishes are on the rise in foodservice, and retail brands and restaurants alike can make the most of this trend by bringing Thai flavors to their seafood offerings. Think panang curry shrimp, spicy basil fish, or green curry scallops.
Another option for innovation? Look to trending Asian ingredients and flavors for inspiration. For example, ingredients like miso, yuzu, matcha, chili oil, and furikake have all been gaining
traction on social media and in fine dining, making them perfectly poised for seafood innovation. Think matcha and mixed seed crusted salmon, miso ginger shrimp, or spicy yuzu cod.
Memorable Mediterranean Options
One of the factors driving demand in the seafood category is health and wellness. While many consumers look to seafood to support their weight management goals, they aren’t willing to miss out on experiencing the latest trends. As Mediterranean cuisine is often associated with healthy eating, seafood brands can appeal to health-conscious consumers by incorporating trendy Mediterranean flavor profiles into their seafood products and menu items.
Complex flavors are growing increasingly popular with consumers who are using food as a means of adventure and exploration. The Mediterranean region offers an abundance of complex flavors that complement the mild flavors of most seafood varieties. The spicy, smoky flavor of harissa, for example, is ideal for elevating shrimp, while the bright, citrusy notes in chermoula pair perfectly with white fish or scallops.
Don’t Forget About Fusion
With global cuisines trending across the board, seafood brands can’t really go wrong when it comes to finding flavor inspiration. For products and menu items that standout but still have widespread appeal, brands should consider getting creative with global flavor fusions. Restless consumers will
appreciate the opportunity to experience something totally new and different, while hesitant consumers will be more willing to try a fusion flavor if it includes a familiar element. Think berbere BBQ shrimp, Vietnamese Cajun seafood boil, za’atar and garlic butter scallops.
Ready to serve up new seafood products with innovative international flavors? Contact us today to see how Fuchs can help you make something special.