A new report issued by FONA International highlights what it identifies as the evolving taste preferences of children aged five to 13. The report identifies three drivers of this evolution:
- Kids' and tweens' increasing pocket money, expected to grow 4.3% through 2011.
- Growing brand awareness fueled by the plethora of sophisticated products (electronics, etc.) aimed at their age group. The report notes: "This creates a generally higher threshold of stimulation, where more interesting or intense experiences are expected."
- More sophisticated/adventurous flavor expectations, including a desire for more intense and interesting experiences.
The report goes on to outline basic growth categories and several examples of flavors that fit those categories:
- Ethnic: ginger, tamarind, mandarin, yuzu and mango.
- Exotic: dragon fruit, guanabana, passion fruit, white tea and pomegranate.
- Premium: maple, tangerine, wild berry, blackberry and chai latte.
- Flavor blends: blueberry-maple, honey-peach, strawberry-chai, mango-melon, pineapple-cherry and orange-passion fruit.
!['[R]etaining this next generation will depend on continuing to position flavor science as a field where individuals can combine scientific excellence with creativity and real-world impact, shaping how consumers experience food in ways that improve both health and sustainability,' says John Savage, IOFI president and president and CEO of Taste at Kerry.](https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/mindful/allured/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/07/john-savage.Cws5vQDBLp.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=191&q=70&w=340)
