Category
Lifestyle
Assisted Choices
Trend cluster
Category
Lightened Black
Bean
Traditionally hearty ingredients like black bean are being used in a new way.
2.7
Trend score
Trend
What is the Lightened Black Bean trend?
Lightened Black Bean: Traditionally used in heavy, ingredient-dense dishes like burritos, black bean is seeing a resurgence and popping up in much lighter, healthier meal options. The digestive properties of this Hispanic cuisine staple are being promoted and utilized in dishes like breakfast bowls and salads as a dietary alternative. The use of hearty, yet exotic ingredients to forward the heavily North American agenda of "self care" is an interesting case study in health food marketing that highlights the importance of newness and exoticism.
Trend themes
Themes within the Lightened Black Bean trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Exotic ingredient promotion
Use of hearty, yet exotic ingredients to forward the heavily North American agenda of "self care" presents disruptive innovation opportunities in health food marketing that highlight the importance of newness and exoticism.
02
Photo-ready presentation
Presenting new dishes in a way that is photo-ready and entices consumers to share their healthy meals on social media can drive disruptive innovation opportunities in food and beverage marketing.
03
Diet-specific offerings
Many eateries are creating different kinds of sandwiches, wraps and bowls with ingredients that are in line with the guidelines of popular diets, providing disruptive innovation opportunities in food and beverage product development and marketing.
Industry implications
What the Lightened Black Bean trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Food and Beverage
Food and beverage marketers can leverage exotic ingredient promotion in new, photo-ready presentations and diet-specific offerings to innovate and stay ahead in the industry.
For
Health Food
Innovations in exotic ingredient promotion, photo-ready presentation and diet-specific food and beverage offerings are disrupting the health food industry.
For
Quick-Prep Meal Kits
Incorporating exotic ingredients and diet-specific options in quick-prep meal kits can create disruptive innovation opportunities in the on-the-go food industry.
Workshop question
What is the most functional aspect of your product, and how can you better emphasize this in marketing?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Lightened Black Bean
Trend score 2.7 out of 10, from popularity 36%, activity 37%, freshness 8%.
Popularity36%
Activity37%
Freshness8%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X (not a primary audience)
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Europe
Evidence
Examples of the Lightened Black Bean trend
6 featured examples from May 10, 2017 to Apr 12, 2019CategoryLifestyle
Diet-Friendly Quick-Prep Meals
The 'WW Fresh' Meals Can Be Enjoyed in 10 Minutes or Less
The meal delivery industry can focus on creating quick-prep, diet-friendly meals that cater to health-conscious and busy consumers.
CategoryLifestyle
Bean-Based Snack Bars
'That's It Nutrition' is Now Selling Bars Made from Black Beans and Veggies
The demand for healthy snack foods continues to grow and presents opportunities for companies to create new product lines.
CategoryLifestyle
Diet-Specific Burgers
Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes Created Keto & Paleo 'Lifestyle Burgers'
More food and beverage businesses could create diet-specific options to appeal to health-conscious customers and offer inclusivity.
CategoryLifestyle
Multi-Layered Avocado Salads
El Pollo Loco's Newest Menu Addition is Accentuated by Clear Bowls
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating unique and visually appealing food items to attract and engage social media-savvy consumers.
CategoryLifestyle
Low-Calorie Mexican Entrees
El Pollo Loco Expands Its 'Under 500 Calories' Menu with New Dishes
Fast food chains can disrupt the industry by offering healthier options and catering to the growing demand for low-calorie meals.
CategoryLifestyle
Summery Roasted Shrimp Entrees
Qdoba is Offering Fire-Roasted Shrimp Three Ways for Summer 2017
Disruptive opportunity to introduce fire-roasted shrimp dishes and explore unique flavor combinations in the restaurant industry.
