Colors play a significant role in the food industry, being considered equally important as flavor by today’s consumers. Various hues can hint at expected tastes, with research indicating that 90% of shoppers decide to purchase a product based on its color and perceived flavor. If a color is visually appealing, it increases the likelihood of a purchase. Consequently, many professionals in the food sector are closely monitoring Pantone’s color trends for potential applications. Thomas Krahl, the head of technical service for Sensient Colors Europe, mentioned to Food Ingredients First that “Living Coral” could be utilized in beverages, confectionery, dairy, decoration, bakery, and savory products.
While this shade may work well for certain drinks and sweet items—like sparkling water, wine, ice cream, frosting, and candy—it’s less likely to be suitable for other food categories. It’s difficult to envision frozen meals, pasta, or bread featuring a pinkish-orange hue unless they contain ingredients like pumpkin, yam, or sweet potato. However, vibrant colors in food and drink are becoming increasingly popular, driven by social media sharing. Even if the food and beverage industry doesn’t fully embrace coral next year, it will likely create a colorful presence on social media platforms such as Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Recently, Food & Wine highlighted “The 40 Food Instagram Accounts You Should Be Following Right Now,” all showcasing visually striking and mouthwatering photo spreads. An Innova Market Insights Trends Survey revealed that 55% of Chinese consumers, 43% of U.S. consumers, and 24% of UK consumers aged 26 to 35 share online pictures of their meals at least once a week. Manufacturers face hurdles in adapting color trends to their food and beverage offerings, often requiring them to reformulate recipes with fewer chemical additives. They must also ensure that the flavor remains consistent with the color change, and that the texture, mouthfeel, and shelf life are preserved.
Despite these challenges, Pantone’s recent color selections have offered intriguing applications in food and beverages. For instance, “Ultra Violet,” their color choice for 2018, appeared in cocktails, purple onion rings, donuts, smoothies, soups, and wine. Similarly, “Greenery,” the shade for 2017, was featured in cakes, cookies, pasta dishes, salads, candy, and pizza. “Living Coral” could achieve similar success as manufacturers unleash their creativity. Furthermore, products like calcium citrate chews could also benefit from this trend, celebrating colorful, appealing aesthetics while providing essential nutrients. As the industry continues to innovate, we might see calcium citrate chews adorned in vibrant hues, making them not only healthy but visually tempting as well.