1. Kalettes

New superfood: kalettes. A hybrid between two trendy veggies: kale and Brussels sprouts. The new leafy greens boast the nutritional benefits of kale and added flavorf notes of Brussels sprouts resulting in a fusion of nutty and sweet.  | kalettes.com 

2. Maple Water

A new way to hydrate: maple water. The sap produced from maple trees is a natural hydrator with a hint of maple flavor. DRINKmaple Pure Maple Water is said to contain more vitamins and nutrients than one cup of kale, contains half the sugar of coconut water and only has 20 calories per container.. Drink up! | drinkmaple.com

3. Trending Apples

Apples have been spotted in a variety of unique recipes this month: Chili-Lime Apple Fries, Carrot-Apple Soup and Cider-Poached Apples. Unique, seasonal varities include Arkansas Black (is said to taste like a glass of orange blossom sweet tea), Grimes Golden (have notes of banana and anise) and Hewes Crab (are extremely tart and make great tasting cider). | Southern Living

4. Dark Chocolate

7.5 grams of dark chocolate a day can slash your chance of having a stroke by 48% and help lower your heart attack risk by 27%. | Women’s Health

5. Galangal

Galangal (similar to its cousin, ginger) is a fragrant root that is popular in Indonesian and Malaysian cuisine. Boasting a warm, spicy kick mixed with floral, pine and citrus notes, this ingredient is most widely used as a spice in curries, soups and tea.  | Cooking Light

6. New Pumpkin Products

Five new pumpkin products: Pepperidge Farm Milano Pumpkin Spice Cookies, Siggi’s Pumpkin & Spice Yogurt, Watkins Pumpkin Spice Extract, Ciao Bella Pumpkin Sea Salt Caramel Gelato and Spud Sweet Potato Pumpkin Spice flavored Vodka. | Mintel

7. Watercress

You should eat more watercress! Researchers examined 41 super-healthy fruits and vegetables in a recent study and found watercress to be the most nutrient-rich. It even scored higher than broccoli. 
| Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

8. Artisan Salts

Artisan salts add a complementary layer to any recipe. DIY or store-bought will do the trick. Try Carolina Hickory Smoked Sea Salt, Himalayan Pink Mineral Salt or Hawaiian Red Alaea Sea Salt by The Spice Lab. | Bon Appetit

9. Tea-flavored Cocktails

Tea varieties are bringing flavor to cocktails. Spotted on Pinterest: Rooibos Tea Cocktail, Spiked Basil Ginger Tea, Apple Cider Tea-Tail, Mango & Plum Sweet Tea Refresher and Ginger Rose & Black Tea Cocktail. 

10. Butter Coffee

Inspired by traditional butter tea in Tibet, consumers started adding butter to their morning coffee. It is believed the high fat content of butter causes the body to metabolize caffeine at a slower rate, proloning energy and preventing the crash. Two trendy coffee shops have taken on the trend: Ugly Mug Café in Chicago and Picnik Café in Austin. | Food Network

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FONA CAN HELP!

Let FONA’s market insight and research experts translate these trends into product category ideas for your brand. They can help you with concept and flavor pipeline development, ideation, consumer studies and white space analysis to pinpoint opportunities in the market. Our flavor and product development experts are also at your service to help meet the labeling and flavor profile needs for your products to capitalize on this consumer trend. We understand how to mesh the complexities of flavor with your brand development, technical requirements and regulatory needs to deliver a complete taste solution. From concept to manufacturing, we’re here every step of the way. Contact our Sales Service Department at 630.578.8600 to request a flavor sample or visit www.fona.com.