FLAVOR FLASH
TRENDING FLAVORS AND INGREDIENTS

Dairy

“Innovation is necessary for dairy categories to remain relevant, as consumers increasingly purchase both dairy and dairy-alternative products. Develop products that provide consumers with unique dairy flavor experiences and incorporate ingredients that enhance dairy’s functional benefits. Spicy cheeses featuring unique chilies appeal to Gen Z’s love of heat and provide older consumers with unique twists on familiar ingredients while also promoting dairy products’ clean ingredient labels.” — Caleb Bryant, Associate Director of Food and Drink Reports

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Dairy Smoothie

FLAVOR INNOVATION CAN EXCITE MATURE DAIRY CATEGORIES

The pandemic spurred consumption of most dairy products as consumers sourced more meals at home, but dairy’s sales bump is fleeting, and these mature, largely stagnant, categories will normalize to pre-pandemic levels going forward. Flavor innovation can bring excitement to mature brands and keep consumers engaged within dairy categories.

Coconut Milk

BRANDS MUST TARGET CONSUMERS OF BOTH DAIRY AND DAIRY-ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTS

Dual dairy-type consumers represent a key consumer segment for both dairy and dairy-alternative brands. These consumers skew Millennial and higher income and are highly interested in new dairy flavor experiences. Dairy product flavor innovation will keep dual dairy-type consumers engaged within dairy categories and prevent conversion to dairy-alternatives.

Cheese

YOUNG CONSUMERS WANT SPICY DAIRY FLAVORS; OLDER CONSUMERS WANT SIMPLICITY AND THE FAMILIAR

Dairy products should go bold with heat using less common chilies to satisfy Gen Z’s love of spicy flavors. Baby Boomers are key dairy consumers but are uninterested in most flavored dairy products. Appeal to Baby Boomers by using slight twists on familiar flavors (e.g. orange vanilla) and promote dairy products’ clean ingredient label relative to dairy-alternatives.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Dairy Smoothie

FLAVOR INNOVATION CAN EXCITE MATURE DAIRY CATEGORIES

The pandemic spurred consumption of most dairy products as consumers sourced more meals at home, but dairy’s sales bump is fleeting, and these mature, largely stagnant, categories will normalize to pre-pandemic levels going forward. Flavor innovation can bring excitement to mature brands and keep consumers engaged within dairy categories.

Coconut Milk

BRANDS MUST TARGET CONSUMERS OF BOTH DAIRY AND DAIRY-ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTS

Dual dairy-type consumers represent a key consumer segment for both dairy and dairy-alternative brands. These consumers skew Millennial and higher income and are highly interested in new dairy flavor experiences. Dairy product flavor innovation will keep dual dairy-type consumers engaged within dairy categories and prevent conversion to dairy-alternatives.

Cheese

YOUNG CONSUMERS WANT SPICY DAIRY FLAVORS; OLDER CONSUMERS WANT SIMPLICITY AND THE FAMILIAR

Dairy products should go bold with heat using less common chilies to satisfy Gen Z’s love of spicy flavors. Baby Boomers are key dairy consumers but are uninterested in most flavored dairy products. Appeal to Baby Boomers by using slight twists on familiar flavors (e.g. orange vanilla) and promote dairy products’ clean ingredient label relative to dairy-alternatives.

Download the Full 6-Page
Flavor Flash for:

  • Emerging flavor trends in dary and dairy alternatives
  • Gen Z and Millenials are the top flavor explorers
  • Gen Z will take their dairy with a touch of heat
  • Dairy flavory trends on the menu
  • Flavor insights for dual-dairy type consumers
  • And more!

*Base is 1,904 internet users aged 18+ who have consumed dairy or dairy-alternatives in the past three months. Data Source: Kantar Profiles/Mintel, June 2021.

Download the Full 6-Page
Flavor Flash for:

  • Emerging flavor trends in dairy and dairy alternatives
  • Gen Z and Millenials are the top flavor explorers
  • Gen Z will take their dairy with a touch of heat
  • Dairy flavory trends on the menu
  • Flavor insights for dual-dairy type consumers
  • And more!

*Base is 1,904 internet users aged 18+ who have consumed dairy or dairy-alternatives in the past three months. Data Source: Kantar Profiles/Mintel, June 2021.