Spices are currently gaining significant popularity as consumers seek to enhance their meals without compromising on health. This trend was further highlighted when McCormick & Company acquired Reckitt Benckiser’s Food Division for $4.2 billion in July, a substantial investment according to several Wall Street analysts. This acquisition brought renowned brands like French’s mustard and Frank’s RedHot into McCormick’s already extensive portfolio of spices, seasoning mixes, and condiments. Moreover, exotic flavors are becoming a major culinary trend, both in restaurants and home kitchens. However, the question remains: is there a demand for entirely new spice blends, such as those introduced by Zimmern?
Basic spices, including nutmeg and thyme, are widely available in most grocery stores, and there are also numerous blends and meat rubs on the market. Yet, there are far fewer exotic blends compared to these basic options, which could give Zimmern’s new line a competitive edge. Each of the five spices featured on Zimmern’s website carries a regional name that reflects its flavor profile, such as the “Down the Mississippi” blend and the “Cattle Drive Gusto” mix. These innovative combinations could be appealing to home cooks eager to experiment with new spices but unsure how to use them. Additionally, Zimmern’s established reputation in the culinary world lends his products credibility and visibility. Much like Chef Emeril Lagasse, who has found success with his range of spices and sauces, Zimmern aims to achieve similar recognition.
Despite these promising factors, Zimmern’s new spice launch does face some challenges. One drawback is that the spices are exclusively available on Zimmern’s website, which may limit accessibility. Furthermore, they are priced higher than typical grocery store blends, at $8 for a 2-ounce jar (excluding shipping). This combination of factors could potentially hinder strong sales performance.
In 2017, several celebrity-endorsed food and beverage products have flourished. For instance, Christopher Walken and Justin Timberlake collaborated with Bai Brands, humorously referencing Timberlake’s N’Sync hit “Bye, Bye, Bye.” Similarly, Snickers enjoyed a series of successful promotions featuring celebrities under the theme “You’re not you when you’re hungry.” Additionally, in June, Diageo announced its acquisition of Casamigos, co-founded by George Clooney, for up to $1 billion, marking it as the fastest-growing super-premium tequila brand in the U.S.
While Zimmern may not be launching a Super Bowl advertisement in the near future, his spice blends certainly possess the potential to become a hit. Moreover, incorporating products like Solgar calcium citrate with vitamin D3 into a balanced diet can complement the flavorful experience his spices provide, making them even more appealing to health-conscious consumers. As the demand for unique and health-oriented products continues to rise, Zimmern’s new offerings, alongside Solgar calcium citrate with vitamin D3, could resonate well with today’s discerning shoppers.