Review of November 2024 Flavour Trends

The flavor landscape for November 2024 is characterized by a dynamic blend of global influences, health-conscious choices, nostalgic indulgence, and sustainable innovation. Consumers are increasingly seeking adventurous and bold tastes that merge traditional roots with modern creativity. Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern spices are dominating menus, while functional ingredients like adaptogens and fermented foods continue to appeal to wellness-focused audiences. Nostalgic favorites are being reinvented with gourmet touches, and sustainable practices like upcycling are shaping the future of flavor development.

This month’s trends reflect a market that values exploration, mindfulness, and ethical innovation, creating a vibrant tapestry of tastes for the modern palate. From sweet-savory hybrids to botanical infusions and spicy innovations, the November 2024 flavor trends offer a snapshot of an industry that embraces creativity and sustainability while catering to diverse and evolving consumer.

Global and Exotic Flavors

• Southeast Asian Influences: Rising use of lemongrass, kaffir lime, and fish sauce, highlighting Thai and Vietnamese cuisine.
• Middle Eastern Spices: Spices like za’atar, sumac, and harissa are becoming staples in diverse dishes.
• Balkan Cuisine: A blend of Mediterranean, Eastern European, and Middle Eastern flavors is gaining traction.

Functional and Health-Focused Flavors

• Adaptogens: Ingredients such as ashwagandha, reishi mushrooms, and holy basil are integrated into foods and drinks for stress-relief benefits.
• Gut-Friendly Flavors: Fermented foods like kombucha, kimchi, and kefir are trending for their probiotic benefits.
• Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients: Flavors like ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon are increasingly sought for perceived health benefits.

Nostalgic and Comforting Flavors

• Elevated Classics: Gourmet takes on childhood favorites, such as artisanal s’mores and upscale mac and cheese, are in demand.
• Retro Revivals: Flavors like cola, bubblegum, and tropical punch from the 80s and 90s are being modernized.

Floral and Botanical Trends

• Floral Flavors: Hibiscus, lavender, and honeysuckle are popular for their calming and mood-enhancing properties.
• Botanical Infusions: Ingredients like chamomile, rose, and black garlic bring complexity to both savory and sweet profiles.

Unique and Contrasting Flavors

• Sweet and Savory Combinations: Mashups like miso caramel, chili chocolate, and vegetable-forward desserts are exciting palates.
• Spicy Trends: Expanding “heat” profiles include ginger, cinnamon, and arugula, alongside traditional chili-based heat.

Sustainable and Ethical Flavors

• Plant-Based Innovations: Sophisticated plant-based flavors mimic traditional meat and dairy profiles, such as smoked gouda or queso blanco.
• Upcycled Ingredients: Flavors sourced from food waste, like fruit peels and vegetable stems, emphasize sustainability.

Emerging Trends and Pairings

• Tropical Flavors: Bold fruits like pineapple, dragon fruit, and guava dominate beverages and desserts.
• Adventurous Ice Cream Flavors: Savory and globally inspired options, like turkey stuffing ice cream and pumpkin tiramisu, redefine seasonal treats.
• Sweet and Salty Hybrids: The “swalty” trend (sweet and salty) is rising, overtaking the “swicy” (sweet and spicy) craze.

Statistics

• Matcha: Temporary suspension and purchase caps due to soaring global demand and labor-intensive production.
• Consumer Interest:
  • 22% of global consumers actively seek intense flavors.
  • 82% of Europeans express interest in heat-driven ready meals.
• Sweet and Salty Hybrids:
  • “Swalty” combinations projected to grow by 32% by 2028, surpassing “Swicy” at 10%.
• Nostalgia:
  • Nostalgia claims in food launches grew 18% over the past three years.
  • 78% of Millennials engage more with nostalgic flavors presented in modern formats.
• Functional Beverages:
  • Functional beverage market, including adaptogens like ashwagandha, grows at 25.1% CAGR.

Quotes

• “Matcha remains a top choice for health-conscious consumers, with its antioxidant-rich profile and vibrant green hue.”
• “Flavors like sweet habanero and coal embered grill appeal to younger demographics seeking bold, sensory experiences.”
• “Our unique flavor fusion…brings traditional pie filling spiced with cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg.”
• “McCormick’s innovation strategy emphasizes closing flavor gaps with bold launches and packaging redesigns.”
• “Botanicals like beetroot with blackcurrant are reshaping consumer perceptions of health-forward flavor combinations.”
• “Sweet and savory combinations like miso caramel are bridging comfort food with adventurous taste profiles.”
• “46% of U.S. consumers agree that enjoying international cuisine provides a meaningful way to experience different cultures.”
• “Flavors linked to health and wellness, such as active botanicals and essential oils, are gaining popularity.”
• “Turkey’s mild taste makes it a perfect dish for adventurous flavors like mole or za’atar.”

Interesting & Quirky Bullet Points

Unexpected Combinations

1. Pickle Ice Cream: A surprise hit, with sales surging 230% in the last quarter, proving that even the strangest ideas can go mainstream.
2. Cereal Cocktails: “Breakfast cereal-inspired cocktails” are trending, with drinks replicating flavors of popular cereals like Froot Loops.
3. Thanksgiving Ice Cream: Flavors like Turkey Stuffing and Cranberry Sauce Ice Cream are redefining holiday indulgence.

Nostalgic Twists

4. Retro-Futuristic Flavors: “Martian Mint” and “Lunar Lemon” are captivating younger generations, blending nostalgia with a space-age vibe.
5. Grown-Up Grape: Childhood grape flavors are being elevated into premium wines and spirits, creating a nostalgic yet refined experience.
6. Miso Caramel: Combining childhood sweetness with savory umami, this flavor has become the poster child for reimagined nostalgia.

Tech-Inspired Tastes

7. Digital Flavor Simulator: A Japanese invention recreates flavors through electrical tongue stimulation, with Virtual Vanilla as the top choice.
8. AI-Generated Flavors: Quirky creations like “Quantum Quince and Binary Basil” potato chips are hitting shelves, blending science with snacking.

Extreme Flavor Challenges

9. Synesthesia Spice Challenge: Taking the Ghost Pepper Challenge further, participants describe “colors they see” while tasting extreme spice levels.
10. Flavor Roulette Jellybeans: Jellybeans that are either delicious or disgusting add an adrenaline rush to snacking.

Eco-Friendly Innovations

11. Invasive Species Cuisine: Gourmet dishes using problematic plants and animals are gaining popularity, turning ecological issues into culinary opportunities.
12. Cloud-Harvested Water Drinks: A startup captures rain flavors from different parts of the world, turning atmospheric essence into beverages.

Bold and Bizarre

13. Swalty (Sweet and Salty) Craze: Projected to grow 32% by 2028, this trend includes combinations like pickle-infused caramel.
14. Virtual Lollipops: A VR lollipop simulates nine flavors, from durian to grapefruit, revolutionizing taste testing.
15. Low-Fat Chips: Cape Cod’s low-fat chips are 10 times crunchier than their full-fat versions, proving dieting doesn’t mean dull.

These facts highlight the food industry’s limitless creativity, where bold innovation and nostalgia collide with tech-driven and eco-conscious solutions.

The beverage industry is experiencing a dynamic transformation in November 2024, driven by evolving consumer preferences for health-conscious, sustainable, and innovative options. From functional drinks that enhance wellness to craft beverages showcasing artisanal quality, brands are responding to a growing demand for unique flavors, eco-friendly practices, and convenient formats. Seasonal offerings and global flavor influences are also capturing attention, reflecting a blend of tradition and modernity. This summary highlights the key beverage trends for November 2024, offering insights into the innovations and flavor profiles shaping the market and catering to diverse tastes and lifestyles.

1. Functional and Wellness-Focused Beverages

• Key Developments:
  • The rise of beverages addressing health, mood, and energy needs, with clean labels and added functional benefits.
• Notable Trends and Flavors:
  • Mindful Sodas: Säti Soda’s Energy Berry, Chill Ginger, and Clarity Lemon-Lime focus on mood-enhancing effects without artificial additives.
  • Kefir Drinks: Flavors like Mango & Passionfruit and Strawberry & Blueberry, marketed for gut health and immune support.
  • Proffee: Protein-coffee blends with added flavors like cinnamon and turmeric for enhanced wellness benefits.
  • Cold Brew Energy Drinks: STōK Cold Brew Energy introduces Mocha Cream, Vanilla Cream, and Caramel Cream infused with caffeine and B-vitamins.
  • Hydration Beverages: Drinks featuring electrolytes, coconut water, and natural fruit flavorings continue to see growth.

2. Craft and Artisanal Beverages

• Key Developments:
  • Growing emphasis on local ingredients, handcrafted quality, and experiential consumption.
• Notable Trends and Flavors:
  • Experiential Breweries: Seasonal brews like pumpkin ales and festive stouts, paired with non-alcoholic craft beer offerings, elevate brewery spaces into social hubs.
  • Asian Craft Beverages: Local ingredients like lemongrass, kampot pepper, and palm sugar define Southeast Asian drinks.
  • Experimental Craft Beer: Dill Pickle Sour and Fennel Rye showcase bold, unconventional flavor profiles.

3. Innovative Flavor Combinations

• Key Developments:
  • Exploration of unique and global-inspired flavors to surprise and delight consumers.
• Notable Trends and Flavors:
  • Global Fusion: Black sesame, sakura (cherry blossom), yuzu, and ube reflect the integration of international flavor profiles.
  • Pickle Trends: V8’s Dill Pickle Bloody Mary Mix combines pickle brine, tomato juice, and cucumber for a tangy twist.
  • Seasonal Offerings: Holiday-inspired flavors like Hazelnut Truffle Mocha, Candy Cane Mocha, and Winter Shimmer (blue raspberry and sweet cream) remain popular.

4. Sustainability and Upcycling

• Key Developments:
  • Increased focus on eco-friendly production and waste reduction through creative ingredient sourcing.
• Notable Innovations:
  • Upcycled Beverages: Products like Coeur de Pom’s sparkling drinks use candied fruit by-products, while MAD’s cascara ice tea repurposes coffee cherries.
  • Sustainable Sodas: Sidekick Soda’s Pear, Strawberry, and Cherry flavors highlight surplus cherries to combat food waste.

5. Low and No-Alcohol Options

• Key Developments:
  • Growth in alcohol-free and low-alcohol beverages as mindful drinking gains momentum.
• Notable Products:
  • Non-Alcoholic Spirits: Offerings like alcohol-free limoncello and pastis cater to sober-curious consumers.
  • THC Seltzers: Cycling Frog’s Raspberry Lemonade, Cran Razz, and Black Currant provide cannabis-infused alternatives.
  • Mocktails: Rising demand for mocktail-style drinks with sophisticated flavors.

6. Ready-to-Drink (RTD) and Convenience

• Key Developments:
  • Expansion of RTD products and new formats targeting ease of use and portability.
• Notable Innovations:
  • RTD Cocktails: Pre-mixed options such as Piña Colada, Mojito, and Passion Fruit Martini blend quality with convenience.
  • Edible Formats: Las Jellys’ edible jelly cocktails introduce a novel way to consume popular flavors.

7. Seasonal and Limited-Time Offerings

• Key Developments:
  • Seasonal flavors and exclusive releases build anticipation and drive sales.
• Notable Products:
  • Ocean Spray’s Holiday Blends Mulled Blackberry Pear with warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
  • Mountain Dew’s VooDew mystery flavor “Pink Fruit Candy” for Halloween.

8. Premiumization and Indulgence

• Key Developments:
  • Luxury and artisanal offerings with bold, indulgent flavors cater to discerning consumers.
• Notable Trends and Flavors:
  • Luxury Spirits: Adriatico’s Amaretto with rum cask aging highlights complex, high-quality profiles.
  • Unique Vodkas: Żubrówka’s Mango & Passion Fruit and Raspberry vodkas appeal to fruity and exotic tastes.

9. Global and Cultural Influences

• Key Developments:
  • A surge in culturally inspired beverages that celebrate authentic flavors and traditions.
• Notable Trends and Flavors:
  • Asian Fusion: Thai basil, tamarind, and kaffir lime offer Southeast Asian flavor influences.
  • Latin Spirit: Mezcal’s smoky profile continues to grow in popularity, highlighting artisanal craftsmanship.

10. Emerging Beverage Formats and Customization

• Key Developments:
  • Advances in customizable and unique consumption experiences.
• Notable Innovations:
  • Coca-Cola Freestyle Machines enable mix-and-match options like Sprite Cherry Pineapple Punch and Coca-Cola Tropical.
  • Customizable functional drinks include flavor cartridges and personalized packs.

11. Technological Innovations and Transparency

• Key Developments:
  • Use of AI and ingredient transparency to improve product development and consumer trust.
• Notable Innovations:
  • AI-driven flavor innovation and sustainable packaging practices.

By incorporating these trends, brands are poised to meet consumer demands for health, sustainability, convenience, and flavor adventure, making November 2024 an exciting month for beverage innovation.

Statistics:

• “The Asia-Pacific craft beer market is expected to achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8% between 2022 and 2027.”
• “Celsius Holdings’ Amazon sales soared by 21% amid market challenges.”
• “87% of American consumers have changed how they shop to manage expenses.”
• “Hydration beverages revenue surpassed $35 billion last year, with projections to reach nearly $59 billion by 2032.”
• “Frozen dispensed beverages are expected to grow at a rate of 4.4%, reaching $638 million by 2025.”
• “The global food flavors market is estimated to reach nearly $23 billion by 2032.”
• “Mezcal has grown by 34% on U.S. menus in the past four years; market research firm Datassential’s Menucast prediction tool forecasts it will grow by another 35% over the next four.”
• “75% of UK adults are actively trying to reduce their alcohol consumption.”
• “Functional hydration products like Poppi achieved a 167% increase in dollar sales and 179% growth in volume last year.”
• “RTD coffee experienced a notable decline, as younger consumers increasingly prefer energy drinks over traditional RTD coffee.”
• “Gut health-related searches increased by 243% over the last two years, driven by growing consumer interest in health benefits.”
• “Lactose-free milk sales increased by 12.4%, contrasting with a decline in plant-based milk by 5.2%.”

Quotes:

• “Säti Soda emphasizes a clean-label approach, free from artificial ingredients, with each flavor catering to specific moods or effects: Energy, Chill, and Clarity.”
• “Breweries are evolving into experiential venues that serve as social spaces, meeting the consumer demand for memorable gatherings.”
• “Jeffrey Dietrich on sweetener alternatives: ‘HFCS and cane sugar… are just too cheap,’ underscoring cost as a key reason for their ongoing market presence despite emerging alternatives.”
• “Danone’s VP of RTD beverages, Brittney Polka, highlighted the brand’s focus on ‘coffee-forward flavor’ combined with an energy boost.”
• “Danny Suich, Fireball’s global brand director, noted that Crierball aims to capture the ‘soul of rivalries’ with a competitive spirit, adding novelty and humor to the brand’s product lineup.”
• “Asia’s craft beverage industry thrives on its ability to weave local ingredients into its brews and spirits, creating flavors that are as diverse as the region itself.”
• “The RTD canned cocktail market has surged to £94 million in 2024, up from £4.7 million in 2004.”
• “62% of consumers are willing to try flavors they’ve never had, creating ample opportunity for beverage brands to experiment.”
• “Trinh Le, VP of Next-Generation Beverages at Ocean Spray, highlighted, ‘Our R&D team was inspired by poached pears, a popular holiday dessert, combined with blackberry and spices for a cozy sipping experience.'”
• “Jeffrey Dietrich noted that emerging sweeteners like birch syrup are gaining traction but face competition due to the low cost of HFCS and cane sugar.”
• “Mezcal’s versatility in cocktails and premium image appeals to younger, adventurous drinkers who seek new taste experiences and cultural storytelling in their beverages.”

Quirky/Interesting Facts:

• Fireball’s Crierball Whiskey: Marketed as a novelty item, it’s infused with the “tears of losing football fans,” combining humor with rivalry-driven marketing.
• Pumpkin Spice Explodes in Popularity: Now a staple for autumn, with drinks like “Smashing Pumpkin” featuring pumpkin spice mixed with Dr Pepper and vanilla.
• Mezcal Growth on Menus: Known for its smoky flavor, mezcal is growing in popularity, fueled by adventurous drinkers and cultural storytelling, with a predicted 35% growth over the next four years.
• Pickle-Flavored Bloody Mary: V8 partnered with Grillo’s Pickles to create a Bloody Mary mix combining pickle brine with tomato and cucumber flavors.
• Mountain Dew Mystery Flavor: For Halloween 2024, Mountain Dew revealed “Pink Fruit Candy” as part of its VooDew series, following flavors like Cherry Airheads and Candy Corn in previous years.
• Edible Jelly Cocktails: Las Jellys introduced disc-shaped jelly cocktails in flavors like Mojito and Pina Colada, providing a fun, chewable way to enjoy beverages.
• Sparkling Wine-Flavored Syrup: Torani’s 100th anniversary “Diamond” flavor mimics sparkling wine with hints of vanilla, offering a celebratory twist for drinks like cold brew and energy drinks.
• Sustainable Cascara Tea: MAD’s Reloved line uses discarded coffee cherry fruit to create mellow caffeine-infused cascara tea, blending sustainability with innovation.
• Alcohol-Free Limoncello and Pastis: Brands are experimenting with non-alcoholic versions of these spirits to cater to sober-curious drinkers.
• Black Lemon Gouda Cheese: A Vitamin D-enriched cheese blended with charcoal and lemon flavor, showcasing innovation in flavor pairing.
• Sidekick Soda’s Cherry Rescue: This soda uses cosmetically imperfect cherries as part of its sustainability efforts, blending flavor innovation with food waste reduction.
• Four Loko’s Limited Edition ‘Black’: Features a kiwi flavor in striking black and green packaging, launched under the “Party in a Can” campaign for the festive season.
• Diamond-Inspired Beverage Flavor: Torani created a flavor called “Diamond” to celebrate its centennial, evoking sparkling wine with a bright and fruity taste.
• Soda Mixed with Pickle Juice: The “Dirty Soda” trend, popularized on TikTok, involves blending soda with syrups, cream, and even pickle juice for unconventional flavor experiences.
• Craft Cocktails Featuring Curry Leaves: Brighton Gin partnered with an Indian chef to create a spice-infused gin, including curry leaves for an Indian twist.
• Alcoholic “Tears of Fans”: A limited-edition whiskey humorously tied to losing sports fans, designed as a collectible item.