# Burnt Bite Food and drink infused with toasted flavors offer a sophisticated profile. By [Rebecca Byers](https://www.trendhunter.com/becbyers), Insights Research at Trend Hunter | Published Oct 27, 2015 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/burnt-bite ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.3/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Burnt Bite trend? **Burnt Bite:** Consumers are experiencing an emergence of food and drink offerings that are characterized by unexpected burnt, bitter notes. Often incorporated into dishes and drinks that don't normally require direct contact with a grill, such charred menu items provide a complex and assertive smoky flavor that helps bring out complementing flavor profiles and balance out sugar contents. This progression speaks to the consumer preference for unexpected sweet and salty combinations that highlight the contrast between the two profiles. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Aug 22, 2015 to Jun 4, 2016 - Published: Oct 27, 2015 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence) - Megatrends: [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization), [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Burnt Bite trend ### Sweet and Savory Blends Consumers are enjoying unique flavor pairings, such as sweet and savory, in food and drink offerings. ### Unconventional Seasonings Gourmet food-flavored salts and BBQ seasoning on vegetable chips speak to a trend in adding unconventional aromas to popular condiments. ### Burnt/Charred Flavors Charred menu items and burnt caramel chocolates highlight a shift towards assertive smoky and bitter notes in food. ## What the Burnt Bite trend means for industry ### For Food and Beverage Food and beverage industries can benefit from offering innovative flavor and seasoning options to appeal to consumers' evolving palates. ### For Gourmet and Specialty Foods Gourmet and specialty food industries can benefit from offering unique seasonings and flavor pairings to differentiate themselves in the market. ### For Food Packaging and Manufacturing Food packaging and manufacturing industries can capitalize on the trend towards unconventional flavor pairings by offering seasonings and blends for home cooking and consumption. ## Workshop question How can your product or service grant consumers a small sense of adventure? ## Trend signals for Burnt Bite Trend score 3.3 out of 10, from popularity 46%, activity 44%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 46% - Activity: 44% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Burnt Bite trend 5 featured examples from Aug 22, 2015 to Jun 4, 2016. - [Smokey Smoothie Cocktails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peach-drink): This Boozy Blended Peach Drink Features Notes of Honey and Whiskey (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Bars and restaurants can create unique and exciting menus that cater to a wider variety of tastes and preferences. - [Smokey Homemade Potato Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bbq-seasoning): These Baked Vegetable Chips are Sprinkled with BBQ Seasoning (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Innovations in creating personalized and indulgent vegetable snacks can capture market share in the competitive snack food industry. - [Pineapple Caramel Chocolates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chocolate-flavor-combination): Marco Paolo Chocolates Embraces Unique Chocolate Flavor Combinations (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Innovative flavor combinations in the food and beverage industry have the potential to disrupt traditional offerings and capture a new audience. - [Maple Bacon Coffee Blends](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bacon-coffee): Boss Hog's Coffee Range Blends Sweet and Savory Flavor Profiles (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The specialty coffee industry can tap into the growing demand for unique coffee blends by exploring the use of unconventional ingredients such as meat. - [Gourmet Food-Flavored Salts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flavored-salts): The Amola Salts Opt for Unlikely Aromas Such as Bacon and Espresso (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food seasoning industry can capitalize on the trend of offering gourmet salts with unconventional flavors, such as Bacon Salt and Smokey Espresso Salt. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Multi-Benefit Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comes-in-three-flavors) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)