2006 Food Flavor Trends Give Consumers Bigger Bang for their Bite

(PRLEAP.COM) New York, February 27, 2006 — Whether it’s chipotle mamey orange or parsley black currant, complex and exotic food flavors will make a huge palate statement in 2006 as consumers continue to demand a bigger bang for their bite, according to Market Trends: Food Flavors and Ingredients Outlook 2006, a new report from market research publisher Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, a leading provider of industry-specific market research reports.

In 2006, it appears that Middle Eastern, North African, and Eastern Mediterranean cuisines will take center stage, as word of their exquisite spicing varieties spreads from foodie circles to the mainstream. Such a flavor profile is in contrast to the fruity/heat combinations found in 2005’s headliners: Asian, Spanish, and Latin.

Nutritionally rich super foods also will be hot this year, as consumers continue to search for magical flavors that address medical concerns. Packaged Facts predicts that the use of spices as nutritional ingredients will rise, as will the fast-moving trend of assimilation, where a flavor breaks out of its traditional box and branches out. Examples from 2005 included such innovations as carrot chipotle juice and chipotle-flavored fig nuggets.

“Variety and innovation are the spice of life in today’s flavor market and we can expect to see more smoky, strong flavors, pungent flavors and cool/fiery combinations, as well as sweet tones mixed with spicy, tart, and salty,” said Don Montuori, the publisher of Packaged Facts. “Look for new cooking technologies to emerge as well, such as non-edible spice wraps, flavor sprays, and sous vide, a method of vacuum sealing that creates incredibly delicate, tender, and flavorful foods.”

Now in its 3rd year, Market Trends: Food Flavors and Ingredients Outlook 2006 provides a comprehensive, industry-sourced look at the ingredients and flavor trends, cooking styles, and technological influences which will make their mark in home and restaurant kitchens this year. Priced at $1,995, this report can be purchased directly from Packaged Facts by clicking: http://www.packagedfacts.com/pub/1119489.html. It is also available at MarketResearch.com.

About Packaged Facts
Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, publishes research reports on a wide range of consumer industries, including consumer goods and retailing, foods and beverages, and demographics. For more information visit www.PackagedFacts.com, or contact Tom Ehart at 240-747-3014, or tehart@marketresearch.com.