Flavor Trends

Trends, as the name implies, are always changing. Flavor trends are no different. There are a lot of reasons flavor trends change -- seasonal, geographical, economical, or even unseen lifestyle changes. At abelei, we continue to stay focused on what’s trending and why in order to offer our customers the most up-to-date flavors.

Candy Cravings

Fruity and Exotic Flavors: Fruity flavors like watermelon, mango, pineapple, and passion fruit continue to be popular choices for candies. Exotic flavors from different regions, such as lychee, dragon fruit, and guava, have also gained popularity, offering unique and refreshing taste experiences.

Salty and Sweet Combinations: The combination of sweet and salty flavors has become a notable trend. Candies that incorporate elements like sea salt, pretzels, or bacon provide a contrast of flavors, creating an interesting and addictive taste profile.

Spicy Flavors: Spicy candies have been gaining traction, offering a unique twist. Flavors like chili, jalapeno, habanero, and cinnamon heat up the taste buds, creating a sensory experience that appeals to those who enjoy a little kick in their treats.

Gourmet and Artisanal Flavors: The popularity of gourmet and artisanal candies has led to the emergence of unique flavor combinations. These candies often feature high-quality ingredients like premium chocolate, infused herbs and spices, floral essences, and unexpected flavor pairings such as lavender and honey, rosemary and sea salt, or cardamom and orange.

Citrus and Tart Flavors: Citrus flavors, particularly lemon and lime, have remained popular in the candy industry. Tart candies that provide a tangy sensation, such as sour gummies or sour belts, have also gained a dedicated fan base.

Dessert-Inspired Flavors: Dessert-inspired candies that mimic the flavors of popular treats like cake, cookies, and ice cream have become increasingly popular. Examples include flavors like red velvet cake, cookies and cream, salted caramel, and birthday cake.

Retro and Nostalgic Flavors: Retro candies and nostalgic flavors have made a comeback. Classic flavors like cola, root beer, bubble gum, and cotton candy evoke a sense of nostalgia, appealing to both younger generations and adults who enjoy a taste of their childhood.

Healthier and Natural Flavors: With the growing focus on health-consciousness, there is a demand for candies with natural ingredients, reduced sugar, and no artificial flavors or colors. Natural fruit flavors, organic ingredients, and plant-based alternatives have gained popularity among consumers seeking healthier candy options.

Healthy Living

The better-for-you movement that focuses on gut health, immune support, and emotional wellbeing is not going to stop. This trend ranges in fruit, citrus, and spice flavors but the real take‐away is the desire for these flavors to be natural and organic. Consumers now look for the natural or organic stamp of approval on the ingredient label, leading food and beverage manufacturers to update their products accordingly.

Comfort Food

Due to the pandemic with restaurants mostly closed, families working from home, and everyone urged to stay in as much as possible, cooking from home became the staple. While comfort foods can change from person to person there was a large rise in flavors such as strawberry, chocolate, cotton candy, and vanilla. Though the end of the pandemic is in sight, comfort flavors are not.

Tasting the World

While the pandemic led to some finding comfort flavors, others took a trip around the world… metaphorically speaking. While being stuck at home and restaurants mostly closed consumers started craving something new. What did they do? They went to the store and found flavors from around the world such as yuzu, Sicilian lemon, Meyer lemon, clementine, mandarin orange, and Ume a Japanese plum.