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Category: Trends

Insights

7 of the hottest trends in Natural Products right now

Vegans rejoice! Veggies rule with creative uses, nut milks get trendy, natural sweeteners rise, and alternative burgers like jackfruit take center stage. Even insects buzz as a sustainable protein source.

The next frontier for functional foods?

Adaptogenic herbs, known for stress reduction in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, are emerging in food and beverage products at Natural Products Expo West. Examples include ginseng, maca root, ashwagandha, and medicinal mushrooms.

Trends at Expo West 2016

Pulse power is a trend of using peas, beans, lentils and chickpeas to create protein-rich and gluten-free snacks, pastas and more. This caters to the growing demand for protein from sustainable sources.

7 of the hottest food and beverage trends happening now

Probiotics are expanding beyond yogurt into chocolate and sugar products. Sprouted grains offer health benefits, while turmeric appears in various beverages and snacks. Adaptogens like ashwagandha are trending, and fermentation yields products like kombucha.

Superfruits & Functional Benefit Beverages

Consumers are increasingly interested in healthy beverages that offer functional benefits. Superfruits like acai and goji are popular because of their perceived health properties, even if the beverage doesn't contain the real fruit.

Decadent Dessert All Day Long

A notable trend in beverages is the infusion of dessert flavors, seen in coffee blends like bananas foster and frappuccino varieties. This trend extends beyond typical dessert times, with brands incorporating these flavors into unexpected products.

Mocktails and More

Brands are mixing meal occasions and flavors, like Dunkin Donuts' donut breakfast sandwich. The trend extends to mocktail beverages, such as Argo Tea's "Mojitea" and Rockstar's pina colada energy drink.

Beverage Trends in the Food Service Industry

Food service is evolving to meet retail standards, focusing on brand transparency, hyper-customization, and enhancing the dining experience. Chains like Chipotle emphasize locally sourced ingredients, while customizable machines like Coca-Cola Freestyle offer personalized beverage options.

Nostalgia and Whimsy

A wave of nostalgia hits the food industry, with retro flavors like root beer float and snickerdoodle making a comeback. OREO's Candy Corn crème and Ben & Jerry’s Cotton Candy ice cream are just a few examples.

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