Category
Lifestyle
Assisted Choices
Trend cluster
Category
Yam
Confection
Japanese desserts adopt unexpected flavors inspired by the regional sweet potato.
2.9
Trend score
Trend
What is the Yam Confection trend?
Yam Confection: Drawing inspiration from the Japanese Annou Imo, a luxurious sweet potato known for its delectable taste, beverage and dessert brands from the region are adapting the flavor and aroma of the sought-after spud. Celebrating the local bounty, consumers are enjoying the enticing flavor of this yam in new ways, through unexpected formats including sweets and drinks that demonstrate the innovative flavor reversal of Japanese culture. This emerging ingredient draws out the importance of healthy indulgences influencing modern consumers and the next generation of flavor seekers.
Trend themes
Themes within the Yam Confection trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Vegetable Desserts
Vegetables are being introduced as a savory-sweet flavor variation, creating disruptive innovation opportunities for desserts.
02
Regional Flavor Inspiration
Beverage brands are adapting the flavor and aroma of sought-after local ingredients, such as Japanese sweet potato, to create innovative flavors and products for the modern consumer.
03
Healthy Indulgences
The emergence of healthy indulgences is influencing modern consumers and creating disruptive innovation opportunities in the food and beverage industry.
Industry implications
What the Yam Confection trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Food and Beverage
The food and beverage industry can explore innovative flavor combinations using vegetables and introduce regional flavors to create new products.
For
Convenience Stores
Convenience stores can tap into the trend of healthy indulgences by offering desserts made with vegetables and other healthy ingredients.
For
Coffee Shops
Coffee shops can explore new flavors and ingredients such as sweet potato to create unique drinks and attract customers looking for something different.
Workshop question
How can your next innovation also serve to celebrate the identity of your consumers?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Yam Confection
Trend score 2.9 out of 10, from popularity 40%, activity 39%, freshness 8%.
Popularity40%
Activity39%
Freshness8%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha (not a primary audience)
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X (not a primary audience)
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
Asia-Pacific
Evidence
Examples of the Yam Confection trend
5 featured examples from Oct 26, 2016 to Oct 18, 2018CategoryLifestyle
Sweet Potato Lattes
This Korean Specialty is Becoming Popular in Other Asian Countries
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce innovative and exotic flavors, such as sweet potato latte, to expand the beverage market and capture the attention of adventurous cons…
CategoryLifestyle
Potato-Inspired Ice Cream Cones
This Ice Cream Cone Looks and Tastes Like a Japanese Sweet Potato
The trend towards incorporating vegetables into dessert presents opportunities for innovation in the dessert and snack sectors.
CategoryLifestyle
Roasted Potato Drinks
JR East Train Stations' Vending Machines Dispense Sweet Potato in a Bottle
The Roasted Potato drink trend has the potential to shake up the beverage industry, with opportunities to introduce new and unique flavors.
CategoryWorld
Chewy Potato-Flavored Candies
Kabaya's Gummy Candy Looks and Tastes Like a Japanese Sweet Potato
Confectionery companies can capitalize on the trend of vegetable-inspired candy by developing innovative and flavorful products that appeal to consumers looking for unique taste e…
CategoryLifestyle
Yam-Flavored Dessert Cups
Häagen-Dazs' Newest Flavor is Orange Sweet Potato Ice Cream
The food and beverage industry can adapt to the trend of using regional ingredients and unconventional flavor combinations to offer innovative dessert options.
