Savory dairy products deliver comfort and indulgence to morning meals, quick snacks, and gametime favorites. Despite the immense versatility of these products, flavor innovation in this category has lagged behind other categories. With consumers always on the lookout for what’s new and what’s next, it’s time for savory dairy brands to step it up when it comes to flavor innovation.
From swicy flavors and popular peppers to international inspirations and tangy ingredients, many of the latest trends happen to be perfectly suited for the savory dairy category. How can brands make the most of these trends – and get ahead of the curve – to launch sensational new savory dairy products? In this blog, our experts break it down for you, sharing their insights into how to create cream cheese, sour cream, and cheese products that consumers will totally crave!
Bring the (Sweet) Heat
Hot and spicy flavors are here to stay! Few flavors in the dairy aisle deliver on heat, however, with jalapeño being one of the only spicy flavor offerings in the cream cheese and sour cream categories. When it comes to Gen Z and Millennial consumers, the hotter, the better, so brands cannot go wrong with innovating around hot peppers and global spice blends that deliver serious heat. Better yet, the cool creaminess of dairy will help balance out spicy heat, making these flavors appealing even to less adventurous consumers. Think ghost pepper ranch sour cream dip, smoky poblano cream cheese spread, or berbere cheddar cheese rub.
The popularity of the sweet and spicy (“swicy”) trend is undeniable. Hot honey became an instant hit last year and still has a hold on the
food industry. Since then, consumers have grown increasingly interested in trying other swicy flavor combinations. As this trend has been largely untapped in the savory dairy category, there’s a prime opportunity for cream cheese, dip, and cheese brands to bring unique swicy flavors to their products. Set the next swicy flavor trend with products like piri piri peach sour cream dip or chipotle caramel cream cheese spread.
Don’t Forgo Global
It probably goes without saying: consumers are obsessed with trying new global cuisines. In the savory dairy category, innovations around the international cuisine trend have primarily been inspired by Mexican cuisine, and to a lesser extent, Asian cuisine. Given just how prolific the Asian cuisine trend is, dairy brands should consider leaning even further into this trend, offering more exotic and exciting Asian inspired flavors, like gochujang for cheese rubs or five spice for cream cheese.
Get ahead of the curve by drawing inspiration from up-and-coming global cuisines. Filippino, Lebanese, Indian, and Moroccan cuisines are all on the rise, making them ideal sources of inspiration for international innovations. Think za’atar dip, garam masala shredded cheese, or Filippino adobo spread.
As consumers have been expanding their horizons with global foods and flavors, they have also been exposed to a variety of cheese and dairy products that are staples in other cuisines. Consider bringing these items to grocery store shelves and restaurant menus. For example, global cheese varieties like paneer, burrata, cotija, and halloumi have all been picking up steam in foodservice, meaning that they will be in-demand with trend-conscious consumers.
Say Yes to Sour
Tangy and tart flavor profiles are all the rage with consumers these days. Many savory dairy products already have a naturally sour flavor
profile, making them the perfect base for tangy flavor innovations. Standout on grocery store shelves with flavors that lean into the sour flavor trend.
One option? Innovate around international-inspired fermented flavors like kimchi, giardiniera, and pikliz. Or move beyond basic dill pickle by bringing pickled notes to a wide range of flavors. Think pickled horseradish and bacon cream cheese spread or pickled garlic sour cream dip. Another option? Get inspired by tangy citrus fruits. Think yuzu chili cheese rub or cilantro lime sour cream dressing.
Seeking exciting new flavors for your savory dairy products? Contact us today to see how Fuchs can help you make something special.