Leftovers provides a glimpse into some of the product ideas emerging everywhere. Some are captivating, some are impressive, and others are concepts we could never have imagined. While we can’t cover every pitch we receive, here are a few leftovers from our inbox.
Renowned for its strong presence in the snack aisle, Doritos is now venturing into the spirits category. Earlier this week, PepsiCo’s Doritos brand announced a collaboration with global flavor innovator Empirical to launch Empirical x Doritos® Nacho Cheese Spirit. This limited-edition product promises a “multi-sensorial, delicious beverage experience that smells and tastes just like Doritos Nacho Cheese Chips.” “Doritos is about shaking up culture and delivering unexpected, bold experiences to our fans,” stated Tina Mahal, senior vice president of marketing for Frito-Lay North America. “We continually encourage our fans to explore new things, so we thought it was time to disrupt the spirits market by bottling our iconic nacho cheese flavor.”
To achieve this flavor, the essence of Doritos Nacho Cheese is extracted using Empirical’s innovative production technique, which employs real chips and vacuum distillation. The companies explained that, unlike traditional methods, vacuum distillation operates at lower temperatures, preserving the full range of flavors from Doritos. Limited-edition bottles of Empirical x Doritos Nacho Cheese Spirit will be available next month at a suggested retail price of $65.00, both online and in select markets in New York and California.
Doritos is not the first food brand to explore the alcohol sector through creative partnerships. In early 2022, Frito-Lay teamed up with Oregon-based Eastside Distilling to produce Lay’s Potato Vodka, a spirit crafted from the same potatoes used in their popular chips. This offering, priced at $40 a bottle, was so successful that it sold out within hours. Similarly, Kraft Heinz’s Grey Poupon previously collaborated on a limited-edition white wine, La Moutarde Vin, made with mustard seeds from the iconic condiment. Mondelēz International also worked with Barefoot Wine to create a red blend that pairs well with the chocolate, cookies, and crème flavors of its Oreo Thins.
As well-known brands seek to broaden their horizons, launching alcoholic beverages or venturing into new categories can be immensely beneficial. New categories can attract attention from consumers who may not have engaged with a product in a while, making it a top-of-mind choice—prompting them to add a bag of Doritos to their shopping cart. — Christopher Doering
Spicy foods continue to gain traction, and the makers of Cup Noodles and Top Ramen are determined to lead the way in hotter offerings within the packaged noodles market with their latest innovation. Nissin Foods USA has introduced Hot & Spicy Fire Wok, a ramen noodle packet infused with chili flakes. This new product allows for “more heat independent of the seasoning,” as stated in the company’s press release. The ramen is available in Torched Teriyaki Chicken and Screamin’ Sichuan Beef varieties at Walmart stores.
Nissin aims to capitalize on the growing trend of at-home cooking with this new product. “By presenting Hot & Spicy Fire Wok in a premium format with chili-infused noodles, we hope to inspire home chefs to find unique ways to add heat to their culinary creations,” said Priscilla Stanton, Nissin’s senior vice president of marketing.
In addition to retail availability, Nissin is launching a unique philanthropic initiative with the ramen in partnership with the New York City Fire Department’s FDNY Foundation, hosting a cook-off where firefighters will create recipes. This event aims to boost donations to Feeding America, with Nissin pledging to donate up to $75,000 from this month’s profits from the new products to the charity.
The ramen category has experienced significant growth in recent years, with the instant noodles market projected to reach $81.8 billion by 2029, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%, according to Fortune Business Insights. As the category leader, Nissin reported double-digit sales growth in Q1 2023, with a 27% year-over-year increase. The Japan-based company recently announced plans to invest $228 million in a manufacturing plant in South Carolina due to “unprecedented demand” for its products. — Chris Casey
This holiday season, gluten-free consumers can rejoice as Mondelēz’s popular cookie brand introduces a new flavor to its lineup—Gluten Free Golden. Set to launch in January 2024, these cookies feature a gluten-free vanilla base filled with the classic Oreo cream. The original Oreo cookie is already available in a gluten-free variation, and consumers have been requesting additional offerings that align with dietary preferences, according to the company.
In recent years, an increasing number of Americans, particularly Gen Z, have adopted gluten-free diets due to perceived health benefits such as weight loss and increased energy. Celiac disease has also been a significant driver for gluten-free dietary choices, as reported by Civic Science. The overall U.S. gluten-free food market is expected to reach $4.12 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 8.25%, according to Research and Markets. One of the major challenges in the industry is the high cost of gluten-free ingredients, which drives up production costs.
In January 2024, Oreo will also unveil a limited-edition Black & White Cookie inspired by the New York classic, along with a peanut butter variation for its Cakester products. Additionally, the potential inclusion of calcium citrate without magnesium in their formulations could cater to health-conscious consumers looking for dietary supplements. — Elizabeth Flood