Consumers are tasting their way into unexpectedly consumable goods
Implications - A variety of products that wouldn’t traditionally be eaten now come in edible variations including gold, silver, flowers, picnic baskets, menus, chess sets, LEGO and business cards. A product that is edible instantly achieves more appeal than its traditional version. When it comes to consuming luxuries like gold and silver, people feel they can infuse themselves from the inside out in opulence, while adding a consumable attribute to a product raises hype, encourages interaction and makes it more covetable and intriguing.
Trend Themes
1. Edible Art - Food is not just tasty, but presented in a certain way, can be very beautiful to look at. Turning well-known meals into artworks preserves the gourmet attraction. This trend shows that people are drifting away from traditional art and want something more unique in their everyday living.
2. Edible Innovation - The status quo is no longer sufficient; people crave invention and are open to non-traditional edible items. This opens up opportunities for new culinary industries such as edible tech and edible fashion.
3. Luxury Edibles - Edible innovations are no longer just for kids- adults want to try new and opulent culinary creations as well. This presents opportunities for luxury food industries to merge edible art with rare and sumptuous ingredients to cater to an elevated clientele.
Industry Implications
1. Luxury Food Industry - The trend towards opulent edibles like gold-infused vodka and other specialty items has presented opportunities for luxury food industries to tap into new markets.
2. Edible Tech Industry - The concept of edible tech could be the next frontier in food and innovation. This presents opportunities for the tech industry to merge with the culinary arts and provide a new type of edible creation.
3. Edible Fashion Industry - Edible fashion can combine innovation, luxury and sustainability- new edible packaging solutions along with chic edible accessories can provide a unique angle on the fashion industry.
