5 Flavor Trends You Should Add to Your Menu in 2022
New Year, New Food Trends
A new year marks a great time for you to evaluate your menu, explore new ideas, and discover your next money-maker. What should you know about the food trends for 2022? How do they apply to you? What products are available? We’ll break down the details of five current flavor trends.
Pair It Up
Why go with one flavor when you can have two? Flavor pairings are one way that you can offer elevated twists on classics, says the 2022 Flavor Trends Guide from novotaste.com. Customers will love being able to mix-and-match their favorites.
This concept can work well for Sno-Kone® flavors. Mix orange and pineapple or mango with coconut. Add a splash of Sno-Kone syrup to your lemon shake-ups for a flavor-infused experience like black cherry lemonade. You can also create flavor combos for gourmet popcorn. Take strawberry and blueberry for a sweet and colorful pairing. It works for savory flavors too, like mixing bacon with white cheddar.
Childhood Favorites
Where memories and flavor meet, you’ll find some of the best and most popular comfort foods. Nostalgic flavors have strong connections that prompt us to feel at ease and boost our mood. SideChef.com took a look at the trends from the Whole Foods Trend Council and stated, “This food fad is here to stay for years to come.”
In concessions, we thrive on connecting food with memories. From popcorn to cotton candy, fun foods evoke an emotional response. Try dessert-inspired flavors like Birthday Cake gourmet popcorn or fudge. Or get a famous Blue Raspberry Sno-Kone® smile! And don’t forget fried foods, like fried mac-n-cheese.
Tropical Vibes
Who wouldn’t love a little island escape? According to SideChef.com, most culinary experts agree that tropical fruit flavors will rise in popularity. Pineapple tops the list, but watermelon, citrus, and berry flavors are also trending.
How do you incorporate a tropical feel into your menu? One of the most popular ways is with mocktails or frozen drinks. Our recipe for Ocean Ice Slush will delight customers. Or try shaved ice as a refreshing dessert with flavors like Blue Hawaii and Tropical Coconut. For more options, there’s a Summer Passion cotton candy flavored with passion fruit and citrus. (It’s also great to use to rim your tropical drinks.) And our Signature Blends™ line includes Banana and Piña Colada. Use it to make fudge, gourmet popcorn, funnel cakes, and more.
Seasonal Offerings
Novotaste.com reports, “Seasonal offerings and limited-time offers can come in handy to drive hype without altering the core menu.” It is a way for you to create a buzz with your customers without making a costly long-term investment.
Dress up your funnel cakes with seasonal toppings like caramelized cinnamon apples for fall or fresh strawberries in summer. Try seasonal beverages with flavored coffees and hot chocolate in the colder weather and fun frozen beverages for warmer seasons. Gold Medal also has a line of seasonal cotton candy flavors, including Fall Spice and Winter Frost.
The Popularity of Pizza
Pizza sales hit new highs thanks to the pandemic. According to Dataessential, traffic was up 125% compared to pre-pandemic levels. Convenient and completely customizable, it’s easy to see why pizza is considered a top food trend for 2022.
Gold Medal offers a selection of warmers and cabinets made to display your pizzas. Any location looking for a convenient and popular snacking option should consider pizza. In addition to traditional pizza, there are multiple ways you can experience the pizza flavor with Signature Shakes™ Pizza seasoning. Shake it on popcorn or use this recipe to make Pizza Bubble Waffles.
Looking for more ideas that won’t break the bank? We’ve got 5 Low-Cost Ways to Expand Your Menu.