Next time you’re enjoying a barbecue, pool party or other gathering this summer, take a close look at the appetizers and foods being served. Whether it’s a creamy ranch veggie dip, a caramelized onion hummus or a range of sweet and savory sauces and condiments for burgers and hot dogs—there’s a good chance that dips and sauces have a big presence, and flavors are a major focus. When it comes to getting consumers excited about flavors and trying new foods, no category is more effective than dips and sauces.
Next time you’re enjoying a barbecue, pool party or other gathering this summer, take a close look at the appetizers and foods being served. Whether it’s a creamy ranch veggie dip, a caramelized onion hummus or a range of sweet and savory sauces and condiments for burgers and hot dogs—there’s a good chance that dips and sauces have a big presence, and flavors are a major focus. When it comes to getting consumers excited about flavors and trying new foods, no category is more effective than dips and sauces.
Commonly seen as a relatively inexpensive way to add robust flavor profiles to everyday dishes, dips and sauces are practically a gateway to encouraging new product trial and adoption—drawing in consumers who are interested in exploring exciting new flavors. The category also has a broad appeal, with nearly 94% of all U.S. adults enjoying dips and saucesa, and rich flavor innovation is at the heart of this growing category. More than 52% of consumers in a recent Mintel survey cited interest in trying new flavors in dips/sauces, and the category continues to grow after building momentum during the pandemic. According to Grandview Researchb, the dips category is expected to be among the fastest growing, with a global CAGR of 5.2% through 2025. Whether it’s salsa, dressings, condiments, guacamole, hummus or anything in between—dips and sauces can elevate traditional dishes and even invigorate otherwise mundane foods with an approachable burst of rich flavor.
Sparking Creativity in the Kitchen
Across all food and beverage categories, the past two years have consistently shown the trend of consumers turning to flavors as a source of excitement and adventure during the pandemic—and much of this discovery is happening right in the home kitchen. Dips and sauces have played a large role in making at-home cooking more creative and enjoyable, as they allow burgeoning chefs to easily add vivid flavor to familiar dishes and build on classic entrees. The major shift to consumers working from home also put added emphasis on lunch and snack time—sparking a period of product development focusing on bold flavored sauces intended for cooking, at-home meal preparation and snacking.
Footnotes:
astore.mintel.com/report/trending-flavors-and-ingredients-in-dips-and-sauces-us-2022
bwww.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-sauces-dressings-condiments-market
For the full article, please check out the Perfumer & Flavorist+ September 2022 issue.