The Trend: Nostalgia
The Flavor: Butterscotch
For older generations, the creamy, buttery indulgence of Butterscotch may evoke fond memories of treats like Butterscotch hard candy, Jell-O Butterscotch pudding, and decadent Butterscotch dipped ice cream cones. Millennials may recall being the firsts to delight in the fictitious Butterscotch-flavored Butterbeer introduced in the Harry Potter book series and served at Universal Studios Wizarding World as a cold carbonated beverage along with frozen and hot versions. They also serve Butterbeer fudge, ice cream, and custard. Though often overshadowed by Caramel, Butterscotch is making a comeback as demonstrated by its 22% search increase over the last year.1 It even has its own appreciation day on February 15. In 2024, Starbucks launched Smoked Butterscotch Coffee and McDonalds debuted the Butterscotch-flavored New Grandma McFlurry. In 2023, Mars Wrigley released a limited-edition Snickers Butterscotch Scoop, and online retailer, Myprotein, launched Keventers Butterscotch whey protein marketed to fitness communities in India.
Tasting notes from our Flavorists: rich and indulgent, creamy, buttery sweetness, caramelized sugar imparts a smooth, toasty sweetness, buttery notes provide a luscious, melt-in-your-mouth quality
Butterscotch-inspired market products:
Scotcharoo Ice Cream, Smoked Butterscotch Coffee, Snickers Butterscotch Scoop, Butterscotch Ginger Lozenges, Sugar Free Butterscotch Syrup
The Trend: Nostalgia
The Flavor: Lemon Cookie
From Sunshine Lemon Cooler Cookies to Lemon Twist Oreo Cookies and Girl Scout Lemon-Ups, the bright refreshing flavor of Lemon Cookie surely brings back nostalgic memories for many consumers. This year, Otis Spunkmeyer released Lemon Burst Lemon Cookie, and Levain Bakery and Great American Cookies introduced new Lemon Cookies. In 2023, Starbucks launched the Setouchi Frappuccino in Japan using lemons from Japan’s Setouchi region. Lemon Cookie is found in ice cream, pastries, protein powders, and protein bars and may especially appeal to GenZ as 67% are interested in sour flavors, which is the highest of any other generation.2
Tasting notes from our Flavorists: bright and refreshing, strong citrus aroma evokes the essence of fresh lemon, hints of vanilla, buttery undertones, balanced by a smooth, buttery base that adds richness and slight sweetness
Lemon Cookie-inspired market products:
Lemon Cookie Dough, Lemon Cookie Plant-Based Protein, Lemon Sugar Cookie Vegan Protein, Meyer Lemon Cookie Ice Cream, Lemon Cookie Collagen Protein Bar
- Imbibe Proprietary Keyword Database, 2024.
- Hasegawa, 2024.
