# Taro Pairing Brands are launching pastries that blend taro with cheese for a balanced palate. By [Colin Smith](https://www.trendhunter.com/Colin96), Senior Insights Analyst | Published Jun 22, 2023 | Category: [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/modern-art-and-design-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/taro-pairing ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.5/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Taro Pairing trend? **Taro Pairing:** Restaurants and food brands are launching pastries infused with both taro and cheese, combining the sweet, nutty flavor of taro with the rich, savory flavor of cheese. Taro is traditionally found in dishes across East Asia and is now gaining popularity in pastries in North America. ## The consumer insight behind the Taro Pairing trend Consumers are drawn to pastries for their versatility. Pastries can be sweet and sugary, fruity and healthy, or rich and savory. Each consumer may have different preferences, leading to brands consistently experimenting with new ingredients to include in pastries. Some brands have responded to this pressure by looking to cultural recipes from other regions. Out of these recipes, customers in North America have shown interest in mixed taro and cheese pastries for their blended flavors. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Jun 22, 2023 - Published: Jun 22, 2023 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Co-creation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/co-creation), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Taro Pairing trend ### Cultural ingredient blending in pastries Brands are experimenting with new ingredients and cultural recipes to include in pastries, leading to mixed taro and cheese pastries gaining popularity in North America. ### Versatility of pastries Pastries are versatile and can be sweet, fruity, healthy, or savory, leading to brands consistently experimenting with new ingredients to cater to different consumer preferences. ### Incorporation of exotic ingredients Brands are incorporating exotic ingredients such as taro, traditionally found in dishes across East Asia, in their pastries to cater to different palates and offer unique flavors. ## What the Taro Pairing trend means for industry ### For Bakery industry Brands in the bakery industry can experiment with cultural ingredient blending and creating versatile pastries to cater to different consumer preferences. ### For Food and beverage industry The food and beverage industry can incorporate exotic ingredients such as taro in their products to offer unique flavors and cater to different palates. ### For Specialty dessert industry Brands in the specialty dessert industry can experiment with exotic ingredients to create unique desserts that cater to different consumer preferences. ## Workshop question How can your brand incorporate unique cultural ingredients into its recipe offerings to attract customers interested in blended flavors? ## Trend signals for Taro Pairing Trend score 3.5 out of 10, from popularity 52%, activity 36%, freshness 16%. - Popularity: 52% - Activity: 36% - Freshness: 16% ## Examples of the Taro Pairing trend 5 featured examples from Jun 22, 2023. - [Taro-Infused Chiffon Cakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taro-chiffon): Mr. Cheese Added a Taro-Flavored Chiffon to its Extensive Menu (Category: World) Implication: Bakery and dessert shop owners can incorporate taro-infused desserts into their menus to attract customers and offer unique flavors. - [Cheesy Mousse Cakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taro-mousse-cake): Chatime's Bake Code Debuted a Taro-Packed Mousse Cake for Parties (Category: Business) Implication: Incorporating Asian-inspired pastries in bakery offerings can attract a new customer base and create disruption in the traditional bakery industry. - [Taro Cheese-Flavored Cakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taro-cheese-cake-swiss): Savorology's Latest Swiss Cake Blends Taro with Various Cheeses (Category: Business) Implication: The artisan bakery industry can embrace creative and unconventional cake flavors like the Taro Cheese Cake Swiss Roll, catering to customers seeking unique dessert experiences. - [Cheese-Frosted Taro Cakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taro-cake): Scones Alley's Taro Cake Features a Layer of Cream Cheese Frosting (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Bakeries can experiment with unique flavor combinations, like taro and cheese, to create innovative cakes and other desserts that stand out in the market. - [Specialty Taro Cheesecakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taro-cheese-cake): Caféine Port Miri's Specialty Taro Cheesecake is an In-House Specialty (Category: Business) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporating unique ingredients and flavors to create innovative dessert offerings that stand out in the highly competitive food and beverage i… ## Recent trend clusters - [Sensory Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sensory-packaging) (Art & Design) - [Festive Fusions](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/festive-fusions) (Lifestyle) - [Engineered Layers](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/engineered-layers) (Fashion) - [Embedded Intelligence](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/embedded-intelligence) (Tech) ## Trending in Art & Design - [Fruit-Inspired Cleaning Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vilada-punch) - [Electrically Powered Airline Seats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/premium-economy-seat) - [Textural Furniture Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fall-designs-blu-dot) - [Recycled Neon Light Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/encore-encore) All articles: [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign)