Mocha, cinnamon and vanilla are a few iced coffee flavors that are loved by those with a sweet tooth. But with the rise of food and beverage hybrids, there are a number of unusual flavor pairings that are appealing to those who can also appreciate salty, sour, savory and bitter combinations. This is being seen as sweet ingredients being included in traditionally savory dishes and vice versa.
A great example of this is the Basil Iced Tea recipe that comes from the A Fresh Feast blog. Of the four ingredients in this recipe, three of them are common to iced beverages—ground coffee, water and sugar. However, fresh basil is added in order to make a flavorful syrup that turns this traditionally sweet drink into a sophisticated herb-infused beverage.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Unique Flavor Pairings
- The rise of hybrid food and beverage products is allowing for unusual flavor pairings that appeal to consumers seeking sweet, salty, sour, savory and bitter combinations.
- Herb-infused Beverages
- Infusing popular beverages with fresh herbs such as basil creates sophisticated and unique flavor profiles that stand out in a crowded market.
- Sweet and Savory Crossovers
- Innovative products that incorporate traditionally sweet ingredients into savory dishes and vice versa are gaining popularity among consumers seeking new and exciting taste experiences.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Food and Beverage
- Food and beverage industries must embrace unique flavor pairings and cross-category crossovers as a way to stand out in a crowded marketplace.
- Specialty Coffee
- Craft coffee shops and specialty cafes can differentiate themselves by offering herb-infused iced coffee beverages that appeal to consumers seeking unique flavor experiences.
- Recipe Blogs and Food Media
- As consumers seek out new flavor combinations and recipe inspiration, recipe blogs and food media outlets can capitalize by featuring innovative herb-infused beverage recipes on their platforms.
