Evolving Trends
Currently dessert offerings are being shaped by several key trends that align with broader consumer preferences around health, indulgence and sustainability. As consumers continue to prioritise health, there is a surge in demand for desserts that offer nutritional benefits alongside indulgence – whether it’s gut health, skin health or immunity support. This meeting of health and indulgence sees the future of desserts not just about satisfying a sweet tooth, but also about nourishing the body.
Recent Innova research shows that consumers are looking for bold and extraordinary food and beverage experiences – Their ‘wildly inventive’ food trend highlights this, showing 43% consumers globally are seeking unique indulgence and unconventional combinations. This steers opportunity for the dessert category.
Evolving Flavours
The evolution of the human palate has seen a shift in recent years across dessert offerings, with sweet and savoury coming together. Desserts are receiving more seasoning with an increase in salt and spices. Although the pairing of savoury and sweet flavour profiles has been popular for years, there is a general trend towards a more savoury palate among American consumers, showing sour, bitter and umami flavours popular. Mintel research shows that consumers are now embracing sweet-savoury combinations across all categories including dessert and sweets.
This development of the sweet-savoury combination means more surprising and sophisticated dessert experiences. Consider the popularity of salted caramel, balsamic vinegar ice cream, or the inclusion of herbs like rosemary or basil in chocolate. Ingredients traditionally associated with savoury dishes look to be revealed in sweet treats, adding new flavour twists and complexity – satisfying consumers who are looking for novelty and sophistication in their food experiences.
Dessert Discoveries flavoured by beef bone broth
The flavour experience gained from contrasting and using unlikely flavours is key to a memorable dish. Beef bone broth’s rich umami flavour naturally lends itself to enhancing other bold dessert flavours, and along with its health benefits, could see it evolving traditional dessert offerings.
Already the interest in incorporating bone broth into desserts and sweets is gaining traction with homemade options including ice cream, bone broth hot chocolate, and bone broth popsicles. As consumers become more open to adventurous flavour pairings, bone broth can be creatively combined.
- Bone Broth Ice Cream – Imagine ice cream that pairs the sweet and savoury, like a caramel-bone broth swirl, or spicy chocolate with bone broth – the bone broth’s gelatinous texture contributing to a creamier mouthfeel.
- Bone Broth Caramel Sauces – A savoury-broth-infused caramel sauce as a sophisticated pour for desserts like panna cotta, cheesecake, or poached fruits.
- Collagen-rich Brownies – the rich fudgy texture and taste of a brownie enhanced with the nutritional value of bone broth’s collagen.
- Bone Broth Mousse – Bone broth providing a savoury base that contrasts with the sweetness of added flavours like vanilla, chocolate or berries, alongside the natural benefit of gelatin for a smooth, creamy texture.
- Savoury Broth-infused Chocolate – The bitterness of a dark chocolate paired with the umami flavours of bone broth, and additions like sea salt or herbs – thyme or rosemary.
The beauty of a dessert is that it offers itself so easily to creativity. Manufacturers can experiment with nutritious ingredients like bone broth to offer innovative products and new benefits. When it comes to end consumers, there are some strong groups set for interest:
- Those looking to incorporate more collagen into their diet: bone broth desserts are positioned as a novel and enjoyable way to receive it.
- Consumers continuing to prioritise health; bone broth-infused desserts could deliver flavour and indulgence with functional benefits.
- New flavours and food trends gain the interest of adventurous eaters; they’re drawn to the unique flavour profiles and experiences that bone broth brings to desserts.
Whether your bone broth product requires flavour, mouthfeel or nutritional components, we can work with you at any level:
- Making an ingredient at scale to your own recipe
- Helping you develop a custom recipe
- Refining your product requirements so you can move from test kitchen to full scale.
To learn more about how we can support your product development with our range of premium 100% grass fed beef bone broths and extracts visit; https://taranakibioextracts.com/food-ingredients/butler-premium-ingredients/
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