Fastest-Growing Dessert Flavours

Here we look at the fastest-growing flavours in desserts on Canadian menus over the latest two year period.

Citrus and mixed berries grew by 29.4% and 28.6%, respectively. While citrus flavours such as lemon and orange are common in desserts, some operators are pushing the bounds with less familiar or global citruses. For example, CinCin in Vancouver, British Columbia, debuted its Meyer Lemon Brulee this year. And mixed berries are showing up in cheesecakes as a topping and compote. With 60%* of consumers stating that fresh ingredients are important when choosing a dessert, concepts should incorporate citrus and mixed berries that are in season to enhance their desserts with a more premium appeal.

Chocolate flavours are also growing, with mocha and dark chocolate increasing 10.0% and 6.4%, respectively. Mocha’s mixed chocolate and coffee taste is popping up in ice cream, pies and cakes, whereas concepts are spotlighting dark chocolate’s bitter flavour as a sauce and ganache in cakes, crepes and brownies. Operators should add these varied chocolate tastes to enrichen their desserts with complex flavour profiles.

Salted caramel is also on the rise, up 22.7%. Concepts are highlighting this sweet and salty flavour combination as a sauce on apple pies, especially. Since 52%* of consumers express that cravings are an important component in choosing a dessert and 45%** of 18- to 34-year-olds find sweet and salty flavour combos appealing, operators should incorporate this distinct taste profile to create craveable dessert menus that draw in younger consumers.

*Source: 2016 Canadian Dessert Consumer Trend Report

**Source: 2017 Canadian Flavour Consumer Trend Report