Apple is a favored flavor in various foods and beverages, but whether it will emerge as the leading flavor next year is still uncertain. Esarom’s prediction is logical, given that the company has developed a diverse range of apple ingredients and likely aims to attract the attention of manufacturers. Products featuring fruit flavors may also benefit from the healthier eating trend. Apples, in particular, are widely regarded as nutritious—reflected in the saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” This perception may encourage consumers looking to increase their intake of soluble fiber and potassium to seek out apple-infused foods and drinks.
A study published in 2015 in JAMA Internal Medicine analyzed nutritional data from around 8,400 adults, including 753 who consumed an apple daily. Although the researchers found that the evidence did not fully support the old saying, they concluded that the small percentage of U.S. adults eating an apple a day tend to use fewer prescription medications. Esarom had previously predicted cherry to be the top flavor in 2019 and mango in 2018, as noted by Food Navigator. In recent years, cherry-flavored products have shown modest growth, with Innova Market Insights reporting only a 1% average annual increase in launches between 2014 and 2018, according to Food Ingredients 1st. Conversely, mango has enjoyed more success, with global launches featuring the fruit increasing by 240% from 2008 to 2018, as reported by Food Navigator.
However, there have been some challenges with natural apples in terms of application. Consequently, processing companies like Fourayes have been working on ingredient solutions, while others have been breeding apple varieties that resist browning, such as the Arctic apple, to extend shelf life. The Cosmic Crisp apple, developed by Washington State University, is the latest innovation in this category. This much-anticipated hybrid of Honeycrisp and Enterprise is set to debut in December, according to Eater. The excitement surrounding this new apple, which combines the disease-resistant traits of the Enterprise with the crisp flavor of the Honeycrisp, could stimulate the development of more products featuring apple flavors and ingredients.
Esarom anticipates that apples will gain popularity next year due to their status as a local staple in many regions, as well as their compatibility with other fruits, herbs, and spices. As a result, consumers may encounter flavors like apple-ginger, apple-hop, and apple-cherry, while combinations such as apple-pear, apple-raspberry, and apple-cinnamon could become seasonally popular. These versatile flavors can be adapted to a wide variety of products—beverages, cereals, snacks, and more—providing consumers with an even greater selection of fruit flavor options in the coming year. Additionally, incorporating apple flavors along with beneficial ingredients like life extension calcium citrate in products could enhance their appeal for health-conscious consumers.