October 24, 2024 – Botanical flavors encompass a wide range of flavors. Some are healthy flavors, some flavors boost mood, and some have added benefits. Also, sustainability is in the spotlight and is highly important. That is why botanical flavors need to be sustainably sourced. This aligns with one of the top 10 trends from Innova Market Insights – Nurturing Nature.
Many Aspects of Botanical Flavors
Botanical flavors can be looked at in several ways. One is to focus on the flavors of botanical ingredients. Another is to look at specific categories with botanical flavors. Trends watchers like Innova Market Insights can analyze social media activity. Botanical flavor trends research examines consumer preferences for botanical flavors. The Innova Flavor Research 2023 is the consumer trends research used across the report on trends in botanical flavors. The research looks at consumer insights in 11 different countries. Botanical flavors fall into five key categories – flowers, fruits, herbs, spices and seeds, and vegetables.
Social Media as a Tool for Botanical Trends Analysis
An analysis of social media can help with trends analysis of botanical flavors in food and beverage launches. Trends analysts who monitor botanical flavor trends follow social media to look for mentions of products, companies, press releases, articles in the news, and articles in scientific publications. These help spot new and innovative products such as botanical flavors that are mentioned in social media outlets like X, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and TikTok.
Keywords and Hashtags for Botanical Flavors
Social media trends around botanical flavors can be monitored with the primary keyword of botanical flavors. Secondary keywords can be searched using different hashtags. Some of these hashtags for botanical flavors are #botanical, #botanicals, #botanicalflavors, #flowerflavor, #herbsflavor, #spicesandseedsflavor, #vegetablesflavor, and #fruitflavor.
Different Metrics for Social Media Monitoring
When monitoring social media for botanical flavor trends, Innova looks at different metrics. Engagement is the total number of times consumers interact with specific content in paid media, earned media, and owned media. The number of impressions refers to the total number of views. Mentions refers to the inclusion of terms related to botanical flavors in online conversations. The mentions trend is the total number of mentions from all sources over a period of time. The term reach designates to total number of people who come in contact with the content. Social media sentiment describes the tone of an article or mention about botanical flavors. Unique users are those who engage in conversations about botanical flavors. Views represents the total number of times that content about botanical flavors has been seen by users.
Botanical Flavors Meet Flavor Demands
Botanical flavor trends research displays that botanicals satisfy many consumer demands regarding flavor. Botanical flavors have a healthy image and also appeal for their sustainability. Extracts of botanicals may offer health benefits plus color and flavor. Flavors from herbs, spices and seeds, and flowers are the fastest growing botanicals. The technology of precision fermentation aids production of botanical flavors in a way that is cost-effective and ensures a steady supply.
On social media, botanical flavors generate a positive buzz. News sites are driving the buzz about botanical flavors, Pinterest is engaging consumers about botanical flavors, and dialogues across generations can be seen on X.
Consumers Seek Botanical Flavors
Innova Market Insights consumer trends research show that close to half of consumers globally say that they are looking for herbal flavors. Herbal flavors are becoming more widespread in fruits and vegetables and also in soup. Botanical flavor trends research shows that marjoram, coriander and bay leaf lead in growth of herbal flavors. Also, consumers report that they want herbal flavors in tea.
Use of Spices and Seeds for Botanical Flavors Grows
Botanical flavor trends research shows a growing number of food and beverage launches with spices and seeds. Several categories with botanical flavors from spices and seeds are on the Innova watch list as fast-growing from a small base, including alcoholic beverages, meat substitutes and fruits and vegetables. Specific spices and seeds flavors on the Innova watch list are peri peri chili, clove, white pepper, and cumin. Consumer trends research show that consumers associate spicy spices with feeling stimulated and warm spices with feeling comforted.
Positive Trends in Floral Flavors
Innova Market Insights is tracking a positive trend in floral flavors. Floral flavors are growing rapidly in launches of dairy products. Also, consumers seek floral flavors in beverage launches. Botanical flavor trends research reveals the fastest growing floral flavors are rose, linden blossom, and moringa flower. Consumers say that floral flavors are linked to feeling relaxed, calm, and healthy.
What’s Next in Botanical Flavors?
Botanical flavors can also be functional flavors with health benefits plus unique and complex flavor profiles. Watch for success in innovative launches of flavor combinations with familiar tastes plus botanicals. These will marry novel sensory experiences with targeted health benefits and holistic wellness.
Consumers may look for flavors to match their moods and feelings while also uplifting emotional and sensory experiences. Consumers can describe botanical flavors as calming, stimulating, and energizing, and this provides opportunities for brands.
Since consumer trends research shows that consumers seek products that are natural and sustainable, brands can focus on the clean, plant-based, and organic attributes of botanical herbs and spices.
Watch for precision fermentation and other technologies for creating pure, sustainable, affordable botanical flavors.
This article is based on Innova’s Trending in Botanical Flavors – Global report. This report is available to purchase or with an Innova Reports subscription. Reach out to find out more
