Category
Lifestyle
Performance Powders
Trend cluster
Category
Function-First
Spice
Cardamom challenges ginger for status as the go-to functional spice.
2.5
Trend score
Trend
What is the Function-First Spice trend?
Function-First Spice: Boasting a versatility comparable to ginger, cardamom is quickly becoming the go-to functional spice thanks to its easy incorporation into such a wide variety of culinary staples, both sweet and savory food and beverage experiences. This shift highlights a continually evolving North American palate thanks to a world of influence in regards to flavor, as well as speaking to the mainstream desire to see subtle spice elements incorporated into familiar food and beverage experiences.
Trend themes
Themes within the Function-First Spice trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Functional Spices
Cardamom has gained popularity in North America as a versatile functional spice, indicating a continually evolving palate and a desire to incorporate subtle spicy flavors into familiar dishes.
02
Flavor Variations and Health-Consciousness
Consumer preferences expanded to include flavorful and/or healthy alternative products, exemplified by the natural, Non-GMO Betsy's Best Nut and Seed Butters, Jeni's Cocoa Curry Ice Creams, and Unna's Cardamom Crisp Cookies.
03
Unique Alcohol Pairings
Novel flavor pairings are being sought after in the alcoholic beverage industry, as seen with Bullards Spirits creating a subtly sweet gin infused with strawberry, black pepper, and cardamom.
Industry implications
What the Function-First Spice trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Food and Beverage
Business professionals in the food and beverage industry can capitalize on the trends of functional spices and health-consciousness by incorporating these flavors into innovative product lines.
For
Alcohol and Beverage
The increasing demand for unique, experimental pairings presents a plethora of opportunities for business professionals in the alcoholic beverage industry to innovate and stand out.
For
Design and Branding
The minimalist branding approach for Portland Sangria's unique summer flavors can offer inspiration for designers and branding professionals to present new and interesting products to the market.
Workshop question
How can you reflect fast-accelerating consumer preferences without alienating less experimental customers?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Function-First Spice
Trend score 2.5 out of 10, from popularity 30%, activity 36%, freshness 8%.
Popularity30%
Activity36%
Freshness8%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
South America
Africa
Evidence
Examples of the Function-First Spice trend
6 featured examples from Mar 4 to Jun 29, 2017CategoryLifestyle
Crunched Cardamom Cookies
Unna's Cardamom Crisp Cookies are Perfect to Pair with Tea and Coffee
The baking industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by incorporating organic ingredients into their products.
CategoryLifestyle
Cocoa Curry Ice Creams
This Ice Cream Flavor Fron Jeni's Pairs Cocoa and Curry
Companies in the food manufacturing industry can capitalize on the demand for unique flavor combinations by developing and producing unconventional ice cream flavors.
CategoryLifestyle
Superfood Latte-Inspired Chocolates
Trader Joe's Chocolate Bar Tastes Like a Golden Turmeric Latte
Incorporating functional ingredients to create healthy chocolate options.
CategoryLifestyle
Savory Alternative Nut Spreads
The Betsy’s Best Nut and Seed Butters are Wholesomely Packaged
The food and beverage industry can explore innovative ways to create unique and healthy nut spreads to cater to the expanding consumer demand for flavorful and nutritious alternat…
CategoryMarketing
Dry Canned Sangrias
Portland Sangrias Are the Perfect Summer Drink
The Portland Sangria brand is disrupting the beverage industry with their unique flavor profiles and modern branding.
CategoryLifestyle
Peppery Strawberry Spirits
Bullards Spirits' Flavored Gin Boasts Notes of Black Pepper and Berry
In the alcohol industry, the rise of experimental gin spirits like Bullards Strawberry & Black Pepper Gin encourages the exploration of unique flavors and innovative brewing techn…
