Snacks adopt seaweed spice mixtures for a sophisticated flavor profile
Implications - Paired up with spices and salts, seaweed is seeing a revival as an accessible flavor for the adult snacker. No longer just a superfood ingredient for the ultra health-conscious consumer, seaweed is becoming a flavoring agent in its own right, appealing to the fad-chasers on the hunt for something new and exciting.
Workshop Question - How can you adopt an elitist trend to be more accessible to the modern consumer?
Trend Themes
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Seaweed Revival — Seaweed is becoming a flavoring agent in its own right, appealing to the fad-chasers on the hunt for something new and exciting.
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Crowdsourcing — Brands are using crowdsourcing as a way to generate new flavor ideas, as seen in the 'Raise the Bar' contest by KIND.
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Customized Flavors — Snack companies like Twistd are allowing consumers to mix and match flavors with portion-controlled tubes featuring different seasoning blends.
Industry Implications
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Food and Beverage — The trend of seaweed seasoning and healthy snacks can disrupt the food and beverage industry with innovative flavor combinations for millennial consumers.
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Health and Wellness — As seaweed becomes more popular as a superfood ingredient, the health and wellness industry can leverage this trend by incorporating it into products like snack bars or seasoning as a nutrient-rich alternative.
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Marketing and Advertising — Crowdsourcing flavors and customization can disrupt the marketing and advertising industry as it allows brands to engage with their consumers and create a sense of community around their products.