Firmenich is launching its “Flavor of the Year” program following in the tradition of global color authorities Pantone, whose perennial “Color of the Year” is a driving force in the world of design and fashion.
This program is led by the Firmenich Conceptual Design group, a global team of trend forecasting experts who monitor and track global trends in fashion, design and art to translate them into what’s next for the food and beverage industry. Through this initiative, the group aims to identify each year’s most distinctive Flavor as a compelling way to acknowledge and celebrate consumer preferences.
Firmenich experts have declared that lime is the 2013 “Flavor of the Year.” Lime is a flavor that both comforts and excites, something that consumers are looking for in today’s ever changing world. Mikel Cirkus, Director of Conceptual Design, believes that lime is primed for even more popularity in 2013.
“The food and beverage industry has gone through a very ‘trendy’ phase; we’ve seen every fruit variety under the sun make its way from the edge to the mass over the last few years, from mangosteen to acai berry to dragon fruit. The shift is now back to more classic tastes, particularly those with a complex profile, which today’s more sophisticated consumers tend to prefer.”
“Limes are small citrus gems,” says Aldo Uva, President of Firmenich Flavors. “They are small, yet powerful; dark and tough on the outside yet light and juicy on the inside; a classic flavor which surprises and delights the palate upon every encounter.” He adds, “there is also great compatibility with lime and other flavors, which broadens its appeal even more.”
Sandy Cook, a Senior TechnoChef in Firmenich’s Savory unit, who is responsible for keeping up with the latest culinary trends, explains that “there has been an explosion of Latin-themed cuisine in the past year and lime is an important ingredient in it, from Peruvian Ceviche to Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup. Also, foods from South East Asia, such as Thailand and Indonesia, maintain their steady influence on world cuisine, and lime is a force in many of those dishes.”
As industry leaders in Citrus, with nearly 1,200 flavor products available covering all citrus flavor profiles or tonalities, Firmenich has seen lime become more popular over recent years in all parts of the world. Although orange continues to be the heavy weight of the citrus family, food and beverage companies have been taking an increased interest in the precious little sibling. Consumers confirm this preference, as sales of lime flavor and variations of lime have consistently been rising over the past few years.
Lime is also one of the most versatile and refreshing flavors, used throughout the world in beverages such as lemon-lime soft drinks and Margaritas, as well as in candy, gum, sweet goods and desserts, such as the classic Key Lime Pie. Lime is also being used more and more in Savory dishes, a trend the company believes will continue into 2013 and beyond.
Lime is a popular flavor in Firmenich’s Encapsolutions portfolio; used in both Flexarome (L) and Durarome (R) technology which provides multisensory impact (taste and visual) and protects flavors against oxidation and interaction with other components.
The company predicts lime will appear in all types of product lines in 2013, from Key Lime vodkas and ice cream to mojito yogurt; raspberry-lime ready-to-drink teas to lime dressings, sauces and marinades. The company plans to launch lime promotions around the world in all three of its segments: Beverages, Sweet Goods and Savory.
Also in 2013, Firmenich is sending its trend forecasters out in the field, all around the world, to scope out the next wave of food and beverage trends in order to identify the 2014 Flavor of the Year.
