The answer: sour flavors are the hot new food trend.
When and how did sour become the new “it” flavor?
As a Vice President at the Food Network, part of Katherine Alford’s job is to stay ahead of the trends and know what America wants on their plate. According to her, sour foods are in high demand, and she’s not the only one who sees an increasing desire for tartness on the horizon.
Culinary professionals and food industry companies have recognized this trend as well and have capitalized on consumer trends. Six years ago, Greek yogurt was typically enjoyed by health conscious individuals looking for an energy packed snack or dairy fanatics willing to try any and all kinds of yogurt. In 2007, Greek yogurt only accounted for one percent of the yogurt market, according toSlate.com. Now, in 2013, Greek yogurt has surged in popularity, dominating more than one-third of the marketplace.
The tartness of Greek yogurt brought people in, but the fun and delicious flavors have kept consumers coming back for more. With the trend continually growing, companies have moved beyond traditional yogurt and taken sour and tart flavors into the dessert world with Greek frozen yogurt.
Besides Greek yogurt, what other sour and tart foods are growing in popularity?
The need for tartness has led to the pickling trend. This not only includes packaged goods like pickled potato chips, but also gourmet foods like pickled fruits and vegetables.
Chefs are including more and more pickled items on menus while consumers are learning how to pickle different foods in the comfort of their own homes. One of the emerging pickled delights is the green pickled strawberry. The tart, complicated flavor of these unripe strawberries is appearing in both savory and sweet dishes around the world.
Photo courtesy of cobrahead.com.
Where do people pickle?
Pickling is a global trend. International cuisine has highlighted pickled foods for years, and as we grow more adventurous with our meal choices in the U.S., these foreign dishes are at our tables, pickled foods and all.
One cuisine that is known for its exciting flavors is Thai food. Thai restaurants are popping up on every corner in most major U.S. cities. Although many restaurants have Americanized the traditional dishes, a Thai meal still almost always includes a delicious sour or tart dipping sauce.
Have you experienced a new found liking for Thai foods, or pickle-flavored chips? Would you have guessed that sour was the new hot flavor trend? Please share your comments below.
The Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association of the United States (FEMA) was founded in 1909 and is the national association of the U.S. flavor industry. FEMA’s membership is comprised of flavor manufacturers, flavor users, flavor ingredient suppliers, and others with an interest in the U.S. flavor industry. The association is committed to ensuring a safe supply of flavor ingredients used in foods and beverages enjoyed by billions of men, women, and children around the world.