What were readers looking for in November 2024? We've taken a look at our Google Analytics to present the top five reads in flavor industry news.
1. dsm-firmenich Announces ‘Milky Maple’ as the Flavor of the Year for 2025
Flavor and fragrance manufacturer dsm-firmenich announced “Milky Maple” as the flavor of the year for 2025. This flavor combines the softness of milk with the natural sweetness of maple. Maple is a staple flavor in North America, derived from the sap of select maple tree species. This natural flavor offers a sweetness with warm, earthy undertones and a deep brown color. Consumers have increasingly turned to maple as an alternative to traditional sweeteners. dsm-firmenich’s trend analysts have observed the increased appeal in maple flavors since 2019 as it becomes a versatile ingredient used in Europe and Asia.
2. 2025 Food & Beverage Trends: A Cohesive Look at Evolving Consumer Preferences
Unfortunately, the flavor industry doesn't have a crystal to predict consumer trends, but thankfully what it does have is high-level research platforms to evaluate current purchasing behaviors that can inform future habits. Toward the end of 2024, headlines were buzzing with 2025 trend predictions, P&F+ looked through each to align these predictions into 4 aligning trends. This convergence of trends is shaped by cultural dynamics, health awareness, and a craving for unique, personalized experiences. Reports from FlavorSum, Mintel, and ADM offer a comprehensive view of how brands are innovating to meet these demands.
3. T. Hasegawa Releases 2025 Flavor Trends, Announces Flavor of the Year
Flavor supplier T. Hasegawa released its annual Flavor Trends report for 2025. This report outlines trends related to flavors, consumers, and ingredients, as well as predicting a flavor of the year. Brown sugar is the 2025 flavor of the year, according to the analysts at T. Hasegawa. This flavor was chosen for its variety of applications across culinary traditions, including baked goods, breakfast foods, and sauces.
4. Solutions for Natural Citrus Flavors Amid Supply Disruptions
Across the food industry, solutions are needed to overcome challenges associated with environmental changes, while also keeping what’s best for the planet in mind. This holds especially true for the citrus arena. As the planet becomes hotter and drier, the citrus-producing regions of the world are struggling with unpredictable crops of core fruits, including orange, lemon, grapefruit, mandarin and lime. At the same time, citrus greening disease has spread rapidly, lessening the yields of already-challenged harvests in Brazil, Florida, Mexico and beyond.
5. 9 Little Used Aroma Chemicals to Create A Luxurious Vanilla Flavor According to A Principal Flavorist
What flavor chemist isn’t a little bored with vanilla flavors? Principal Flavorist at Bell Flavors & Fragrances Cyndie Lipka outlines nine compounds that can be used when making a vanilla-flavored product.
