# Flavor Hybridization Brands are turning to solid edibles for flavor inspiration. By [Courtney Scharf](https://www.trendhunter.com/Courtney), Chief Client Officer | Published Oct 29, 2013, updated Nov 22, 2013 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/flavor-hybridization ## Key Figures - Trend score: 1.3/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Flavor Hybridization trend? **Flavor Hybridization:** Brands, particularly those in the beverage industry, are turning to seemingly unrelated food sources for flavoring inspiration. This not only reflects a more experimental consumer base, but one that also views food and beverage as more intertwined when it comes to flavor. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Feb 4, 2011 to Sep 22, 2013 - Published: Oct 29, 2013 - Last updated: Nov 22, 2013 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization) ## Audience - Gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Examples of the Flavor Hybridization trend 4 featured examples from Feb 4, 2011 to Sep 22, 2013. - [Breakfast Maple Whiskies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/knob-creek-smoked-maple): The Knob Creek 'Smoked Maple' Whiskey is an Evening Delight (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate unique and unconventional flavors into alcoholic beverages to differentiate products and attract new consumer segments. - [Spicy Caramel Beers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kentucky-ryed-chiquen): The 'Kentucky Ryed Chiquen' is Not What You Think it is (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Craft breweries can leverage the trend of spicy caramel beers to offer innovative and distinctive brews. - [Tongue-Blazing Alcohol Flavors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jalapeno-tequila): Give Your Drink a Touch of Zest with This Spicy Jalapeno Tequila (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for companies in the alcohol industry to explore and capitalize on the growing demand for bold and spicy flavors in alcoholic beverages. - [Alcoholic Maple Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tree-spirits-knotted-maple): Tree Spirits Knotted Maple Will Perk Up Your Pancakes in the Morning (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Businesses in the food and beverage industry should consider experimenting with alcohol infusion to create unique, upscale products and tap into a growing market of adult consumer… ## Themes within the Flavor Hybridization trend ### Flavor Hybridization Brands are experimenting with seemingly unrelated food sources for flavor inspiration. ### Infusing Alcohol with Food Adding alcohol to everyday products like coffee, maple syrup, and edibles has become a common practice. ### Smokey Maple Flavors Whiskey and beer brands are borrowing from smokey maple flavors in their products. ## What the Flavor Hybridization trend means for industry ### For Food and Beverage The food and beverage industry can leverage flavor hybridization to create unique product offerings. ### For Alcohol The alcohol industry can experiment with infusing different foods with alcohol for a unique drinking experience. ### For Breweries and Distilleries Breweries and distilleries can experiment with flavors like smokey maple to create distinct and innovative products. ## Trend signals for Flavor Hybridization Trend score 1.3 out of 10, from popularity 18%, activity 13%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 18% - Activity: 13% - Freshness: 8% ## Recent trend clusters - [Territory Bottlings](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/exclusive-spirits-release) (Lifestyle) - [Flavor Franchising](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/dessert-menu-rotation) (Lifestyle) - [Access Framing](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/exclusive-spirits-releases) (Lifestyle) - [Care Routing](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/clinician-linked-wearables) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Character-Inspired Holiday Candies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/character-inspired-holiday-candies) - [Fashionable Frozen Yogurts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aritzias-aok-caf) - [Fragrant Body Care Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/summer-fridays-body-collection1) - [Temple-Mounted Health Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/temple-mounted-health-wearables) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)