2024 Flavour and Colour Outlook – Pearl Insights

In the coming year, consumers will boldly embrace personalized flavours and colours, pushing traditional boundaries to explore new tastes and aesthetics. This will encourage innovation across all product categories, driven by the desire for sensory delight and diverse health options. Pearl reviewed the 2024 Flavour and Colour Outlook and summarized the top trends for you…

Trend 1:  Luxe Self-Expression

• Consumers are connecting digital and real-life experiences, especially through popular food trends
• Hedonistic flavours and vibrant colours in drinks, desserts, and savoury dishes reflect consumers’ emotions and identities through bold, enjoyable selections.
• Consumers will continue to select products that align with their personal values, with a strong focus on sustainability.
• Suggested flavour inspirations: Caramelized fruit, cinnamon sugar, sweet + umami
• Suggested colour inspirations: Stormy Blue, Blue Atoll, Sparkling Grape, Fired Brick, Fiery Red, Apricot Crush

Trend 2: Dare to #dupe

• Premium private-label products encourage innovation, providing consumers with excellent experiences at reasonable prices. New solutions will continue to address cost and material issues.
• In flavours, we can make well-known tastes in new formats. In colours, we’re moving from artificial to natural shades. Both flavours and colours aim to be “authentic” by reminding consumers of their past experiences.
• Suggested flavour inspirations: Pistachio, Cucumber, Melon, Grapefruit
• Suggested colour inspirations: Pink Power, Magical Marigold, Playful Blue, Pistachio Green

Trend 3: Health Without Stealth

• This trend highlights adding sour flavours to surprising foods and drinks for a mix of taste and complexity. It also reflects how consumers are increasingly aware of the role of good digestion in overall health.
• Using flavours and colours can make functional products more appealing to their target consumers by tapping into their preferences and connections.
• Suggested flavour inspirations: Blood Orange, Yuzu, Violet, Cherry Blossom
• Suggested colour inspirations: Spectra Yellow, Persimmon, Pistachio Green, Olive Oil, Very Violet, Floral Pink

Trend 4: Breaking Boundaries of Taste & Colour

• With excitement and surprise generated by viral social media, food and drink experiences can fulfill consumers’ desire for vibrant sensory sensations with flavours and colours that provoke a sensational reaction.
• Introduce flavours and colours from less explored regions like Asia, South America, and the Mediterranean.
• Suggested flavour inspirations: Grape, Lychee, Chinese Shacha
• Suggested colour inspirations: Bold Reds, Vibrant Pinks, Rich Purples, Redefined Blues, Saturated Yellows, Earthy Greens

Want more insights, strategy and innovation? connect with us at pearl-strategy.ca or John at johnchan@pearl-strategy.ca

Source: 2024 Flavour and Colour outlook, ADM