Vibrant Floral and Botanical Flavors Blossom into Food & Beverage

FASHIONABLE FLORALS

Wellness has been a universal theme for 2020 and continues in 2021. As consumers adjust post-pandemic, mental well-being and self-care are top priorities. Flowers and plants have healing properties; they are both decorative and functional. It’s no surprise that vibrant florals are appearing on runways, at red carpet events, and in home décor. “Flowers not only played an important role in helping us keep connected with family and friends during lockdown, but they have brought joy to the home transforming work-from-home offices and contributing to a sense of wellness,” states Vicky Wilson, Interflora’s in-house florist. From fashion to home décor to beauty, fresh and fragrant flowers are a bright spot for consumers. Vibrant floral and botanical flavors blossom into food and beverages including functional drinks, teas, alcohol, chocolate, and dairy applications.

FULL BLOOM

Florals such as rose, jasmine, and lavender are classic botanical ingredients used in perfumery. These botanical and floral flavors are also used globally in food and beverages. Health and wellness coupled with consumers’ interest in naturals have been driving the growth of these traditional flower flavors as well as trending hibiscus and elderflower flavors. According to Research and Markets, between 2020 – 2025, the global floral flavors market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1%.^a Food and beverage launches tracked with floral flavors are growing with a 21% CAGR globally over the past five years, according to Innova Market Insights.^b Furthermore, the global market for botanical beverages and foods is expected to reach $1,489.3 billion by 2025.^c

FLORAL FLAVORS APPEAL TO CONSUMERS

Mintel reported a 40% increase in launches of foods with floral flavors between 2014 to 2019.^d In addition, Mintel’s research showed consumers’ growing interest in floral flavors:

• 21% of US consumers would like to see items with a floral flavor on a menu when dining out
• 24% of Italian consumers expressed interest in savory foods with a botanical flavor (eg floral, herbal)
• 25% of Chinese consumers who have used foods to adjust mood would choose a floral flavor (eg rose) for a comfort food

Base: US: 1,964 internet users 18+ who have dined out in the past three months; Italy: 1,000 internet users 16+; China: 2,700 internet users 20-49 who have used foods to adjust mood

Source: Lightspeed/Mintel; KuRunData/Mintel

As consumers continue to seek healthy food and beverages, floral flavors continue to gain traction. Trilogy Flavors foresees consumers’ interest in botanical and floral flavors to proceed, particularly popular during spring and summer months. Trilogy offers several fresh and natural flavors such as rose flavoring extract, honeysuckle flavor extract, violet flavoring extract and jasmine. Browse our floral offerings here or request your samples here.

FLORAL FLAVORS SPILL INTO BEVERAGES

Botanical and floral flavors in beverages have been growing in popularity because of their holistic properties and functional benefits. High in antioxidants and Vitamin C, hibiscus and elderflower are in demand, as consumers look to boost their immune system. According to Mintel, 5% of beverage launches contained herbal flavors, while 3% of launches had floral flavors during Aug 2018-Jul 2019.^d Moreover, between 2017 and 2020, Innova Market Insights reported a 46% increase in beverages containing botanical extracts.^c

Consumers are gravitating towards functional beverages with an interest in floral tea flavors.^e “In the Middle East and Africa, teas with floral ingredients are gaining profile, and are engaging with consumers’ health and wellness needs by aligning the botanical ingredients with medical benefits,” states Alex Beckett, Mintel Associate Director, Food & Drink. Furthermore, Julia Buech, Global Food & Drink Analyst for Mintel says “Sparkling tea launches flourish, as brands look to excite the image of RTD tea. Relaxation is a growing focus, while floral flavors also gain traction in formulations. Botanical blends are particularly suited to support specific health interests, such as the immune system, and to help consumers cope with stress and anxiety.” Mintel’s data revealed: ^f

• 28% of US adults express interest in tea with botanicals that help resist stress
• 22% would try tea with cannabidiol

* taken from Mintel’s 35-market consumer research study, July 2020

Base: US: 2,000 internet users aged 18+

Source: Lightspeed/Mintel; Dynata/Mintel

Consumers are also expressing interest in alcoholic beverages and beers with floral flavors. Florals are sophisticated and connote premium ingredients. For example, Innova Market Insights’ data revealed that the use of botanicals on the front label of a package will result in a 23% price premium.^c In China, 41% of adults who recently had beer associate exotic flavors such as florals with premium beer, according to Mintel.^g

The below chart shows US beer consumers’ openness to floral flavors in alcoholic drinks.

Beverages are a hotbed of innovation. Trilogy Flavors expects the continuation of botanical and floral flavor beverage developments to meet consumers’ growing demand. Trilogy has a portfolio of premium trending beverage flavors and holistic florals such as hibiscus flavoring and elderflower flavoring. See our complete floral list here or request your samples here.

CONSUMERS HAVE A SWEET TOOTH FOR FLORAL FLAVORS

Rose flavor and lavender flavor are the top trending floral flavors being used in sweets/confectionery products in the US. According to Mintel data, US consumers show interest in florals, either edible flowers or extracts/oils.^h

• Among chocolate eaters, 47% are interested in rose flavored chocolate
• While 50% are interested in lavender as a chocolate flavor

FLORAL FLAVORS POPPING UP IN DAIRY APPLICATIONS

Floral flavors are gaining momentum in the dairy segment. The global share of floral flavor dairy launches within all floral flavor food launches grew from 9% to 15% between 2015 and 2019, according to Mintel.^d Rose, elderflower, and lavender currently make up two-thirds of flower flavors in dairy launches:

FLORAL FLAVORS BLOSSOM

Flavors and flowers are in full bloom appearing in a variety of products. Floral drinks such as functional beverages, teas, beer, and alcohol are on-trend. Floral flavored chocolate and dairy applications are also gaining momentum. According to Wren Kitchens, “Edible Flowers” ranked nine out of ten for their top TikTok food trends with 854 thousand US Google searches and 11.8 million views.ⁱ Let your food and beverage formulas blossom with Trilogy’s array of top trending floral flavors, request samples here. Don’t see a floral flavor you are looking for? We have more! Contact us.

---

Sources:

^a https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/4997583/floral-flavors-market-growth-trends-and

^b https://www.foodingredientsfirst.com/key-trends/2-nexba-naturally-sugar-free-tonic-water-with-cranberry-and-hibiscus-flavor-australia/in-full-bloom-floral-flavors.html

^c https://www.foodingredientsfirst.com/news/botanical-state-of-mind-kerry-reveals-top-emotions-associated-with-botanical-extracts-and-flavors.html

^d Vlietstra, Kate, “Floral Flavours Can Bloom In Dairy” 30, August 2019, Mintel

^e Beckett, Alex “A Year Of Innovation In Tea, Malt And Other Hot Drinks, 2020” August 2020, Mintel

^f Buech, Julia “The Future Of Tea: 2021” 3, April 2021, Mintel

^g Zegler, Jenny “The Future of Beer and Cider: 2021” March 2021, Mintel

^h Mogelonsky, Marcia, “Integrate trending flavors into US chocolate products” June 2021, Mintel

ⁱ https://www.wrenkitchens.com/us/blog/the-best-tiktok-food-trends-ranked