Vermont-based Runamok Maple is running its Fifth Annual New Flavor Contest to crowdsource an innovative maple syrup flavor that will be available for pre-order at the end of the tournament, and developed, produced, and released before the end of the year.
In 2025, Blueberry + Lemon Infused Maple Syrup won Runamok’s New Flavor Contest. In 2026, the 16 flavor finalists include Chile Lime Maple Syrup, Harissa Maple Syrup, and Chocolate Espresso Maple Syrup. While the winner benefits from a year of Runamok and bragging rights about shaping an upcoming limited-release maple syrup, the brand benefits too. “The New Flavor Contest gives us a chance to listen closely to our audience, learn how they’re cooking and eating, and turn that collective creativity into truly original products,” said Laura Sorkin, co-founder at Runamok Maple.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Crowdsourced Product Development
- A rising reliance on consumer-submitted ideas creates pathways for brands to harvest broad-based creativity and rapidly validate novel SKUs.
- Flavor Fusion and Hybridization
- Unexpected pairings of savory, spicy, and sweet notes signal opportunities for entirely new taste categories that challenge traditional condiment boundaries.
- Limited-edition Small-batch Releases
- Scarcity-driven, seasonal launches are fostering heightened consumer engagement and premium pricing for experimental flavors.
Sectors Adopting This
- Food and Beverage
- Niche flavor innovation enables producers to expand portfolios with high-margin specialty items that attract adventurous eaters.
- Retail and E-commerce
- Curated pre-orders and community voting experiences are reshaping how specialty groceries are marketed and sold online.
- Food Technology and Ingredient Sourcing
- Data from crowdsourced contests can guide ingredient sourcing, formulation tools, and small-scale production workflows for rapid productization.
