Snacks that appeal to the senses are poised for success! For modern consumers, snacking is all about having a special experience, a momentary escape from daily stressors. While familiar flavors and typical textures are nice for delivering nostalgia, snacks that offer something unexpected and different are perfect for appealing to consumers’ sense of adventure. Unique sensory experiences elevate classic snack bases, giving them the “wow” factor that consumers crave.
To get ahead of this trend, snack brands need to leverage bold, high-impact flavors and unique textures. While there are multiple avenues for innovation to align with this trend, some are more promising than others. Keep reading for our experts’ insights into how snack brands can maximize their products’ sensory appeal.
Undeniably Bold Flavors
When it comes to snack innovation, high-impact flavors are where it’s at! Subtle, simple flavors just don’t cut it with consumers anymore. With consumers craving all things exotic and new, snack brands need to focus on flavors that deliver complexity to stand out. It’s all about getting creative with unexpected flavor combinations to give consumers something to get excited about.
Instead of developing flavors that hit only one note, like sweet, savory, or spicy, snack brands should layer multiple flavor profiles. Sweet heat flavors, for example, have long been popular, but brands can give them a boost by adding earthy or tangy notes. Flavor combinations that feature spicy and sour notes are currently picking up steam, as these flavors are exceptionally bold. Think jalapeño limeade popcorn, chipotle tamarind potato chips, or spicy pickled mango snack nuts.
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: the bolder, the better when it comes to snack flavor innovation. When adventurous consumers purchase a sour snack product, they expect it to deliver
mouth-puckering flavor. Similarly, when they purchase a spicy snack, they want the associated sensory experience to be fiery. Consumers are more willing to experiment with exotic flavors for snacks compared to other categories, so snack brands shouldn’t be afraid to embrace this trend by ramping up the intensity and impact of their flavors.
Fortunately, inspiration for flavors that pack a punch is plentiful. As a starting point, snack brands should look to up-and-coming flavors and ingredients to get inspired. Ingredients like yuzu, ube, aji amarillo, black garlic, and miso are in demand for their unique flavors, making them ideal for snack innovation. Bold, global flavors, such as pikliz, harissa, gochujang, and salsa macha, deliver exactly the kind of complexity that consumers are craving and happen to be perfect for snack innovation as well.
Innovating with Texture
Texture plays an important role in how consumers experience snack products. With consumers craving new sensory experiences, one option for snack brands to get in on this trend is to innovate with their bases. Crunchy textures, for example, are on the rise right now, as the mouthfeel and sound they deliver during consumption offer a multi-dimensional sensory experience. Think extra crunchy, thick cut potato chips, snack nuts with a crunchy coating, or toasted crackers that feature added crunch and a subtle smoky flavor.
Snacks that feature multiple textures are even more likely to appeal to trend-conscious consumers. For example, snack mixes that include several components each with a unique texture are perfect for leaning into this trend. Experimenting with both the shape and texture of a snack product, too, can offer a unique sensory experience.
Innovating around both flavor and texture within the same snack product is the key to delivering an out-of-this-world sensory experience. A unique texture can enhance a bold flavor, making it
even more impactful. Consider pairing extra bold, high-impact flavors with bases that feature unusual or unexpected textures for snacks that consumers won’t be able to get enough of.
As snack flavor experts, we would be remiss to mention that seasonings present a prime opportunity for innovating with texture. The granulation and consistency of different snack seasonings can influence the mouthfeel, texture, and sensation of a snack product, further enhancing its flavor and sensory appeal. Snack brands should approach seasonings holistically, focusing not only on their flavor, but also on the sensory experience they can help deliver.
Seeking unique sensory experiences to bring to your snack products? Our experts are here to help! Contact us today to see how Fuchs can help you make something special.