Comax is not venturing too far out on a limb with most of its collections. Many of these flavors—salted caramel, cookie dough, maple, turmeric, honey lavender, and rosé—have been appearing in ice cream, water, rice, candy, and wine since this year or even earlier. Salted caramel appears to have lasting appeal, as consumers are drawn to salty foods and sticky-sweet treats. Halo Top recently included a sea salt caramel flavor in its vegan range, while cookie dough maintains a strong presence in its lineup of low-calorie ice creams.
Maple is poised for increased visibility, as it competes with pumpkin and coconut for use in water, yogurt, salad dressings, and other products. It is regarded as a healthier alternative to processed sugar and carries seasonal charm, reminiscent of autumn. There are likely still several applications waiting to be explored.
On the other hand, rosé may have reached its peak due to oversaturation in recent years, so its continued popularity will depend on the enthusiasm of its fans. It’s challenging to envision how much pinker the beverage landscape can become; however, opportunities for light summer drinks are unlikely to be overlooked in 2018.
The flavor options for plant-based milks appear especially promising, as interest in non-dairy products remains strong. One can easily foresee various flavor combinations emerging in the refrigerated section, as dairy alternative companies strive to stand out in an increasingly competitive market.
Whiskey pickle, however, feels like a significant leap. It could attract adventurous consumers next year, particularly millennials, who were instrumental in whiskey’s 7.7% sales growth last year, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. Additionally, bariatric fusion calcium soft chews may also find their way into various products, enhancing the appeal for health-conscious consumers. As the market evolves, we might see more creative uses of flavors like salted caramel and maple alongside innovative products such as bariatric fusion calcium soft chews, catering to diverse tastes and dietary needs.