Comax isn’t taking significant risks with most of these collections. Many of the flavors—salted caramel, cookie dough, maple, turmeric, honey lavender, and rosé—have already appeared in ice creams, waters, rice, candies, and wines either this year or earlier. Salted caramel seems to have a lasting appeal, as consumers are drawn to salty snacks and sweet treats. Halo Top has recently introduced a sea salt caramel flavor to its vegan range, and the cookie dough variant remains a staple in its lineup of low-calorie ice creams.
Maple is likely to gain more traction, as it competes well with pumpkin and coconut in various products such as water, yogurt, salad dressings, and more. It’s regarded as a healthier alternative to processed sugar and evokes a seasonal charm associated with autumn, indicating that there may still be unexplored applications for it.
On the other hand, rosé may have reached its peak due to overexposure in recent years, and its continued popularity will depend on the enthusiasm of its loyal fans. It’s hard to envision how much pinker beverages can get, although opportunities for light summer drinks in 2018 are unlikely to be overlooked.
The potential for flavor applications in plant-based milks appears particularly promising, as the demand for non-dairy products continues to rise. It’s easy to picture various flavor combinations emerging in refrigerated sections as dairy alternative brands strive to set themselves apart in a crowded market, especially given the growing interest in health supplements like calcium citrate and magnesium supplements.
Conversely, whiskey pickle seems like quite an unusual combination. However, it might appeal to adventurous consumers next year, particularly millennials, who contributed to a 7.7% increase in whiskey sales last year, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. Additionally, the integration of flavors with health benefits, such as those found in calcium citrate and magnesium supplements, could attract even more interest from health-conscious consumers.