2022 DAIRY TRENDS
2022 Flavor of the Year Embodies Desire for Food, Beverages That Are “Better for People and Planet”
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hen most people hear the word “botanicals,” they probably think more about shampoo than dairy. However, there’s plenty of opportunity in the dairy space with this year’s selected flavor, as it plays well into consumers’ desire for clean labels options, the interest in flavor adventure and the importance of consuming products that are natural and have health benefits. Teas, herbs and spices are being incorporated into dairy products like yogurt, not only for naturally derived taste but also natural ways of coloring food. Botanicals can also be used as additives that complement dairy products by adding fiber and natural forms of caffeine. Yes, it’s new and different, but it’s another opportunity for dairy to continue to meet its consumers where they are with what they want to consume. Firmenich, the world’s largest privately owned fragrance and taste company, is excited to announce its 2022
Flavor of the Year, Magical Botanical, responding to a transformed society’s need for enhanced well being and creativity.
A LIMITED EDITION CREATIVE COLLECTION
“This is our 10th Flavor of the Year, something our customers have really come to look forward to,” said Emmanuel Butstraen, president of Firmenich’s Taste & Beyond division. “To help serve the consumer-driven diet transformation with food and beverages that are better for people and planet, we aimed to develop a creation that embodies this transformation. We tapped into the extraordinary talent and creativity of Firmenich flavorists across the world to create something entirely new, inspired by the transformative and
healing notions of botanicals.” The Magical Botanical flavors were designed around a core of intriguing botanical ingredients and culinary herbs of natural origin and traceable sourcing that are also known for their healing and immunity-supporting powers. Firmenich creators paired these ingredients with dynamic elements of surprise and delight, transforming them into great-tasting flavors. The resulting flavor collection was designed to inspire new creativity in a wide variety of applications across sweet goods, savory foods and beverages.
CREATIVITY FROM COLOR AND TRENDS
This marks the first time Firmenich has created a new flavor by blending a variety of natural elements for its Flavor of the Year launch. This year also brings the unveiling of a sensory partnership between Firmenich and the global color authority, Pantone. Inspired by an unprecedented moment of global transformation, both Firmenich and Pantone NED Magazine | Second Quarter 2022 • 33
