DSM-Firmenich names milky maple as flavor of the year for 2025

NETHERLANDS – DSM-Firmenich has selected milky maple as its Flavor of the Year for 2025, blending the creamy richness of milk with the sweetness of maple. 

The company’s trend experts have tracked the rise of maple since 2019, noting its increasing popularity as a versatile flavor ingredient. 

According to DSM-Firmenich, maple sap is a naturally sweet component that could become a key member of the brown note flavor family.

The company also highlighted the growing appeal of milk’s creamy texture, particularly in Asia, where it complements maple’s sweetness. 

Jeffrey Schmoyer, vice president of human insights at DSM-Firmenich, remarked that maple is transitioning from a regional favorite to a global sensation. 

“Its comforting feel and adaptability are driving its popularity across different cuisines and cultures,” Schmoyer said.

DSM-Firmenich also pointed out its ingredients designed to enhance the flavor of maple. 

Products like the Tastegem 3D Essentials can accentuate maple’s sweetness, while the Smart Milk flavors and Dynarome DA ingredients aim to replicate milk’s taste and texture in plant-based options.

In a broader context, Maurizio Clementi, executive vice president of taste, texture, and health at DSM-Firmenich, noted that as food trends increasingly favor comfort and personal well-being, consumers are gravitating toward flavors that offer familiarity and balance. 

“Milky maple” aligns with these preferences, providing a soothing and indulgent experience.

In other developments, earlier this year,  DSM-Firmenich recently launched a pilot plant in Plainsboro, New Jersey, designed to collaborate with food and beverage companies. 

The facility, part of the company’s Taste, Texture & Health Business Unit, focuses on developing products like juices, ready-to-drink beverages, and dairy and plant-based items. 

It aims to guide clients from small-scale production to large manufacturing, with a particular emphasis on beverages.

The company also revealed plans to separate its Animal Nutrition & Health business and streamline its consumer operations, cutting back activities that generate approximately US$650 million in annual sales. 

Recently, it sold its yeast extract and marine lipids businesses for a total of US$300 million.

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