Desserts

Sweet, Spicy, and Newstalgia THE TOP DESSERT TRENDS FOR 2023

With inflation soaring, driven primarily by fuel and food costs, consumers are trying to make their budgets stretch as far as possible, and this means trading down or cutting back on certain foods. However, consumers are also looking for complex flavours, unexpected combinations, and moments to celebrate.

Desserts offer customers a moment to indulge, but that no longer means the same as it did. Indulgence has taken on the new definition of ‘Self-Care’. Where indulgence once was considered the simple act of pleasure-seeking, in 2022 indulgence means that consumers are looking for ways to indulge purposefully and this is a trend we will see continue into 2023.

MAKING THINGS “SWICY”

What is Swicy? Exactly what it sounds like, a collision between sweet and spicy elements in a single entrée, dessert, or side. Swicy food includes hot honey which is blowing up in popularity at the moment and chili dark chocolate candy bars.

Tastewise noted that spicy honey has shown a 53 percent increase in consumer interest over the last two years (Tastewise: 3 Sneak Peek Flavour Trends for 2023 to Jumpstart Your Innovation). The takeaway from this trend is that it’s Sweet+ - an indication that sickly sweet treats are no longer at the forefront of consumer interests.

“We are seeing greater requests for some spice or heat in confectionery,” explained Kamesh Ellajosyula, president and chief innovation & quality officer, Olam Food Ingredients.

“Consumers are particularly showing interest in heat, which goes beyond the level of heat to specific varieties of pepper, underlying flavour notes, and even pairing with other flavours.”

SHYING AWAY FROM SUGAR

Seventy-two percent of consumers say they are trying to reduce or avoid sugar, Kris Sollid, RD, senior director, nutrition communications, International Food Information Council (IFIC), said at this year’s International Sweetener Colloquium. IFIC’s annual Food and Health Survey showed that 45 percent of respondents rated eating less sugar as their top goal in 2022.

However, consumers don’t necessarily turn to low-calorie or artificial sweeteners in their attempts to reduce sugar intake, Sollid noted. There’s a slight preference for consuming sugar over low-calorie sweeteners, and consumers prefer sugar over artificial sweeteners, which they see as “not good for you”.

The key for creating desserts that still allow a customer to indulge while ticking some health and wellness boxes is more about creating flavour combinations that don’t rely so heavily on sugar for their sweetness, such as using natural botanical, fruit and floral flavours instead.

BOOSTING BOTANICALS

Florals and botanicals are back, big time. The floral flavour trend has been on the rise over the last few years, making its mark in confectionery and beverage categories. In the past two years, floral flavour profiles have grown +91 percent in consumer interest (Tastewise). Expect to see florals expand in 2023 as consumers open up to experimenting with florals in new dishes. When it comes to toppings, Yuzu is up there with spicy honey as a top flavour trend. Yuzu is described by some as a “Japanese lemon”, the rind is uneven and thick, and the fruit contains large seeds on the inside. As a result, yuzu doesn’t yield a lot of edible flesh, making it hard to eat as a typical citrus fruit. Instead,

people make the most of yuzu zest and juice.

A major appeal of yuzu is its strong floral fragrance and the sour and tart flavor of yuzu balances well with other flavors.

A NEW WAVE OF “NEWSTALGIA”

The concept of “Newstalgia” is the idea that classic flavours drive the creation of new products. Customers are seeking items that offer the comforts of the familiar with the excitement of new flavors and concepts. New twists on familiar concepts allow consumers to enjoy a beloved experience from childhood while trying something new.

Retro themes will reign supreme in 2023. Sweet treats, cocktails, milkshakes and meals that provide a sense of nostalgia have a wide appeal. And given that consumers are going through turbulent times and facing change, demand for nostalgic and comforting food and drink is something you can expect to see grow.