Taste combinations becoming even more bizarre
industry with products more common in another is becoming
increasingly widespread as companies seek ever more intriguing
combinations - such as lemon-flavoured crisps and ice
cream-flavoured snacks.
A kaleidoscope of flavours has hit the potato snack market, reports Mintel's gnpd (Global New Products Database) this month.
Consumers are becoming evermore adventurous when it comes to flavours - hence the popularity of ethnic cuisine, and the use of more exotic flavours in food products. For example, we have seen lemonflavoured crisps, pumpkin flavoured ketchup, vanilla flavoured cola and even ice cream flavoured corn snacks. The trend continues with the introduction of wasabi flavoured ridged potato crisps. These have been introduced in the Philippines by Liwayway Marketing Corporation.
Ketchup continues to feature as a popular flavour for savoury snacks in Canada. Trophy Foods has released its Kool Ketchup Pork Puffs under the Porky's brand, and Christie Crispers Ketchup Flavoured Baked Snacks were announced by Christie Brown. They both offer the signature ketchup flavour and are available on Canadian supermarket shelves.
Chocolate news
The use of biscuits continues in the chocolate confectionery market, with Cadbury adding a premium adult twist to the trend. The company has introduced in New Zealand a new biscuit variety to its Dream white chocolate brand. The new variety - available in 240g tablet and 45g bar format - contains Italian almond biscotti biscuits, traditionally consumed on their own, in desserts or, as is the classic dish in Italy, dipped into sweet wine such as marsala.
In Germany, Nestlé is targeting children, with theuse of a new flavour for its Choco Crossies brand of chocolate snacks. The new limited edition variety is comprised of bat shaped crispy chocolates in a 'fun bloodorange and pepper flavour', which was a prime target for Halloween.
Sweet potato dessert
Potato specialist McCain is attempting to diversify into the dessert segment in Europe, still using its core potato branding.
The company has extended its Rösti Snaxs range of potato rosti with savoury fillings, with the addition of a sweet filled variety.
The new variety contains afilling made with a blend of apple, bourbon vanilla and quark. The company claims it is ideal served with a sweet sauce topping. Although McCain may not be synonymous with desserts to European consumers, the brand does market sweet products in other parts of the world, notably in Canada where Mintel has previously reported on products such as McCain Deep'n frozen cakes.
Spicy Müller milk drink
A spicy kick has been given to a number products of late, particularly chocolate based lines - Plamil organic cayenne chocolate tablet, and Chilli Red ice cream from Purbeck Dairy Ice Cream. The spicy trend continues, this time in the milk category with the German introduction of Müllermilch Lava from leading dairy company, Müller.
The limited edition milk drink is made with low fat milk and has a chocolate, strawberry and chilli flavour.
The Mintel group supplies consumer, product and mediaintelligence on consumer economic activity.
