UK – Flavour experts from olam food ingredients (ofi) have identified autumnal flavor pairings, plant-based and alternative confectionery, home baking, and novelty formats as some of the trending chocolate, confectionery, and bakery trends for the 2023 Halloween season.
The experts noted that autumnal flavors like pumpkin spice, apple cider, caramel apple, and cinnamon were increasingly becoming popular among Halloween-themed chocolates this season.
We’re also seeing chili emerging as a flavor trend in European confectionery, as identified in Ofi’s recent research.
“Manufacturers can tap into this trend and give consumers a warming seasonal twist on traditional chocolate flavors using our single-origin cocoa liquor DZNM 5023,” the experts advised adding that “its fruity and floral notes, it pairs beautifully with spicy chili.”
Ofi experts noted that Plant-based and alternative confectionery was also in vogue this season as brands increasingly look to cater to different consumer preferences and needs around seasonal holidays.
“For brands looking to develop plant-based treats, finding the right base is key,” the experts noted.
“We’ve found that oat milk works particularly well with our cocoa powders, as its strong and distinctive flavor helps to minimize any bitter notes in the cocoa and create a well-rounded flavor profile.
Home baking and pre-mix recipe kits are rising in popularity, according to ofi experts, leading to more themed and seasonal options appearing on shelves.
For example, the Dr Oetker spooktacular science bake and learn allows families to get into the scary season with some seasonal baking, at little effort.
“To help our customers reformulate traditional bakery products to give them a dark and delightful new edge, our deZaan black cocoa powder D11B offers the perfect way to add color to boo-tiful home bake kits, for treats like indulgent black chocolate cookies.”
Seasonal novelty formats were also gaining popularity more companies seized the opportunity provided by seasonal holidays to innovate and trial exciting and experimental new concepts with consumers for a limited time period.
Seasonal product launches like the Starbucks’ Spook-a-ccino Midnight Mocha Frappuccino or their Pumpkin Spice latte are testament to popularity of novelty formats during Halloween.
Beyond novelty formats, Ofi experts observe that during Halloween, the reconfiguration of nostalgic customer favorites has become more commonplace, with a rise in limited edition ranges.
From Bourbon’s mysterious sour candy and Lindor’s Jack O Lantern truffles in Japan, to KitKat’s breaking bones skeleton bars in the USA.
“As well as flavor, cocoa ingredients can create novelty through color to catch the eye of consumers,” the experts said.
“For example, you can create contrast using ingredients such as the bright white of deZaan’s Moonlight cocoa butter against the orange of dried pumpkin pieces.”
ofi (formerly Olam Food Ingredients) is a global leader in naturally good food and beverage ingredients and solutions.
Based in Singapore, ofi is focused on the raw materials and ingredient platforms that they are known for globally, including cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts, and spices
