How mango hit the mainstream… Trend mapping with fruit

‘Fresh Takes on Fruit’, ​the latest culinary trend mapping report from Packaged Facts and CCD Innovation, examines fruit-based trends just starting to gain momentum plus those now firmly established in retail and foodservice markets.

Stage one signifies a trend that is "just gaining traction", ​while stage five indicates "complete absorption into the mainstream​”.

STAGE 1: Just gaining traction…  ​​

Craft cider: ​“Artisan alcoholic cider is the next big brew”, ​says the report. “Beyond the pastoral feelings evoked by small-batch ciders, craft cider appeals to consumers who are increasingly health conscious about what they eat and imbibe.”​

Fruit preserves 2.0:​ A nostalgic interest in pickling and preserving is “playing out among top chefs and hardcore DIY home cooks determined to jar everything edible for the pantry, whether preserved lemons, blackberry-thyme jam or pickled plums”, ​it adds. ​

STAGE 2:  ​​

Sugar from fruit:​ “Monk fruit and coconuts are now being transformed into attractive sweeteners with low calories, low glycemic index scores and impressive nutrient profiles.”​

New varietals and hybrids​: The old favorites (lemons, strawberries and oranges) are still a core part of the product developer’s toolkit, says the report. But not just any old lemons… What matters now is what type​ of lemon. So expect to see more Meyer lemons, Cara Cara oranges and Seascape strawberries...

STAGE 3:  ​​

Fruit and botanical beverages:​ We can also expect to see more botanical flavor notes in fruit-flavored beverages: “Beyond taste, these additions add potential health benefits that appeal to consumers searching for elixirs in a bottle or tea bag.”​

STAGE 4: ​​

Super tart cherries:​ Tart, sour cherries are now being included in juices, snack bars and trail mixes, it notes. “Not only does this good-for-you-ingredient taste great, but tart cherries also add a premium feel to foods as well as a hint of nostalgia.”​

STAGE 5: Firmly in the mainstream…  ​​

Mango mania:​ Finally, when it comes to fruits now firmly in the mainstream, mangoes have it all, appealing to “multicultural consumers, flavor lovers and health-seekers”​, says the report.

“Whether in savory or sweet applications, mango's versatility happily expands across CPG and foodservice menu categories.”​

For more information about the report, click here.​