# Cultured Snacking Exotic ingredients are added to traditional junk food products for diversity. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Aug 5, 2014 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/cultured-snacking ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.0/10 - Evidence articles: 7 ## What is the Cultured Snacking trend? **Cultured Snacking:** A desire to diversify consumer interest has big name brands reinventing traditional products with more exotic appeal. Combining traditional junk food snacks like chips with cultural ingredients, these revamped products reflect a desire for more experimental, yet familiar methods of product variation. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 7 featured examples - Articles from: Jan 23, 2014 to Jan 23, 2016 - Published: Aug 5, 2014 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Multisensation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/multisensation), [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization), [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Cultured Snacking trend ### Exotic Ingredient Snacking Big name snack brands are reinventing traditional snacks with the use of cultural and exotic ingredients in order to diversify consumer interest. ### Unusual Flavor Contests Popular snack brands are hosting competitions for people to submit their own unusual and strange chip flavors which may influence future snack variations. ### Fruit and Vegetable Chips Consumers are now looking for more natural and unconventional types of vegetable and fruit chips as alternatives to unhealthy potato chips. ## What the Cultured Snacking trend means for industry ### For Snack Food Industry The snack food industry can learn from these trends to create new, novel, and more exciting snacks for consumers. ### For Food Service Industry The food service industry can cater to consumers' desire for a wider range of snacks with more culturally diverse ingredients. ### For Health Food Industry The health food industry can look to create healthier, non-potato snack alternatives that still provide the crunch and flavor consumers desire. ## Trend signals for Cultured Snacking Trend score 4.0 out of 10, from popularity 55%, activity 56%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 55% - Activity: 56% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Cultured Snacking trend 7 featured examples from Jan 23, 2014 to Jan 23, 2016. - [Bizarre Chip Flavor Contests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/do-us-a-flavor-contest): Lay's Do Us a Flavor Contest Suggests Some Strange Combinations (Category: Marketing) Implication: The food and snack industry can benefit from the trend of unique food flavors by introducing new and unconventional products to stand out in a crowded market. - [Butter Chicken Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/do-us-a-flavour): These Indian-Inspired Chips are a Possible New Lay's Canada Flavor (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Expanding the range of potato chip flavors and catering to consumers' evolving taste preferences for unique and exciting snacks. - [Curry Carrot Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/baked-carrot): Oh My Veggies' Baked Carrot Chip Recipe is a Flavorful Twist on Healthy Eating (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food and beverage industry has the opportunity to capitalize on the growing demand for alternative and healthy snack options. - [Exotic Fruit Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fruit-chip): Natural Sins' Snacks are Made with Mangos, Pineapple and Coconut (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Innovative companies in the snack food industry have the opportunity to tap into the growing demand for alternative and healthier snack options. - [Fishy-Flavored Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shrimp-mayonnaise-doritos): Shrimp Mayonnaise Doritos are Perfect for Adventurous Snackers (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for snack manufacturers to innovate and expand their product lines by introducing unique and unconventional flavors to attract adventurous consumers. - [Exotic Beef Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dried-beef-sirloin): This Dried Beef Sirloin Snack is Infused with Teriyaki and Pineapple Flavors (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The snack food industry can capitalize on the trend for exotic beef snacks by offering a wide range of flavors and ingredients to cater to different consumer preferences. - [Indian Flatbread Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/indian-flatbread): The Maya Kaimal Naan Crisps are Made from Leavened Bread (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The snack food industry can tap into the trend of offering exotic flavors and cuisines in chips for disruptive innovation opportunities. ## 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)