# Expanded Palate Kids' food manufacturers are using globalized recipes to expand palates early. By [Colin Smith](https://www.trendhunter.com/Colin96), Senior Insights Analyst | Published Mar 8, 2024 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/expanded-palate ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.8/10 - Evidence articles: 9 ## What is the Expanded Palate trend? **Expanded Palate:** Kid and baby food manufacturers in North America are expanding recipes to include globalized flavors. These globally-inspired recipes expose youth to more foods and flavors early on, thus expanding their familiar palate. Children raised with expanded palates more often eat healthy, balanced diets. ## The consumer insight behind the Expanded Palate trend Younger generations of parents in North America, namely Millennials and older Gen Z, often grew up in globalized cities with countless options for cultural foods and flavors available to them. These parents want to ensure that their children not only adopt healthy diets, but are also able to enjoy the same, if not more, varieties of foods than they have. Brands are recognizing the value of expanding the palate of children early, and are launching globally-inspired kids' meals as a response. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 9 featured examples - Articles from: May 2, 2023 to Jun 13, 2024 - Published: Mar 8, 2024 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence) - Megatrends: [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization), [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Expanded Palate trend ### Globalized Flavor Exposure Introducing young palates to international cuisines can reduce picky eating tendencies as they grow. ### Health-Focused Baby Foods Opting for organic and dairy-free options addresses rising parental concerns over nutrition and dietary restrictions. ### Cultural Ingredient Integration Utilizing culturally specific ingredients like shawarma spices or seaweed makes baby foods more adventurous and diverse. ## What the Expanded Palate trend means for industry ### For Baby Food & Nutrition Evolving to include more globally inspired recipes can help brands stand out in a competitive market. ### For Organic Foods Demand for organic and free-from products indicates a widespread shift towards healthier, cleaner eating habits. ### For Ethnic & Specialty Foods Exploring ethnic culinary trends in baby foods can capture the interest of modern, multicultural families. ## Workshop question How can your brand incorporate globalized flavors into its products to provide a more diverse range of options? ## Trend signals for Expanded Palate Trend score 4.8 out of 10, from popularity 64%, activity 56%, freshness 24%. - Popularity: 64% - Activity: 56% - Freshness: 24% ## Examples of the Expanded Palate trend 9 featured examples from May 2, 2023 to Jun 13, 2024. - [Savory Infant Food Pouches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/for-aisha): For Aisha's Halal-Certified Baby Food Expands Young Palates Early on (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Advancements in key areas including ingredient sourcing, packaging and distribution present opportunities to disrupt the infant food manufacturing industry. - [Spiced Vegetable Baby Purees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/baby-food-puree-flavor): This Baby Food Puree Flavor Takes Cues from Shawarma (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Kekoa Foods sets itself apart by introducing unique grown-up flavors in their baby food purees, creating opportunities for innovation in the baby food manufacturing industry. - [Global Cuisine Baby Foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/serenity-kids-world-explorer): Serenity Kids World Explorer Comes in Five International Flavors (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Exploring innovative ways to introduce diverse and culturally-inspired products for infants and toddlers. - [Palate-Expanding Baby Foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/introduction-to-textures): Amara Organic Released an Introduction to Textures Variety Pack (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Innovative baby food manufacturers have the opportunity to capitalize on the demand for organic, textured baby food products with customizable features. - [Free-From Toddler Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/organic-kids-snacks): These Once Upon a Farm Organic Kids Snacks Come in Three Options (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: These Once Upon a Farm organic kids snacks cater to the needs of parents looking for nutritious and convenient snacks for their babies and toddlers. - [Triple-Layer Matcha Yogurts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/strawberry-matcha-yogurt): The Collective's Strawberry Matcha Yogurt is a Multi-Textured Treat (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunities for disruptive innovation in the dairy industry can emerge by exploring unique flavor combinations and multi-textured yogurt products. - [Made-to-Order Baby Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/timios): Indian Startup Timios Launched a "Made to Order" Fresh Baby Food Category (Category: Eco) Implication: The advent of 'Made to Order' baby food highlights new models in the baby food manufacturing industry focused on freshness and customization. - [Curated Kids Poké Bowls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/signature-kids-bowl): Island Fin Poké Co. Just Added the New Signature Kids Bowl (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The hospitality industry can explore creating customized menus and family-friendly meal packages to cater to diverse dining preferences. - [Korean Seaweed-Based Baby Foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maeil-mammameal): Kooding's 'Maeil Mammameal' is Available with Bulk Discounts (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The baby food manufacturing industry could leverage seaweed as an innovative ingredient to create nutritionally rich and flavorful products for infants. ## Recent trend clusters - [Constructible Franchises](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/constructible-franchises) (Life-Stages) - [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) ## Trending in Life-Stages - [Retro Graphic Tees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nostalgic-graphic-tees) - [Screen-Free Kids Phones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/screen-free-kids-phones) - [Edible Oil-Based Lubes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coco-lube) - [Women's Health-Focused Probiotic Supplements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/womens-health-probiotic-capsules) All articles: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages)