Firmenich, a leading flavor and fragrance house, has announced “Magical Botanical” as the 2022 Flavor of the Year. With consumers’ heightened focus on natural and close-to-nature foods, Magical Botanical is poised to be a significant trend in the upcoming year. These flavors were crafted from botanical ingredients and herbs, known for their healing and immunity-supporting benefits. In the ongoing battle against Covid-19, consumers are placing increasing importance on immunity and healing properties.
Perfumer & Flavorist magazine reports, “Research shows that 65% of global consumers are more conscious of immunity due to COVID-19. Plus, 87% of U.S. consumers are focusing on their immunity” (Valappil, Zareena, Perfumer & Flavorist, Dec. 2021, pp. 29–30).
For 2022, there is a heightened focus on well-being, and botanicals bring a sense of nature and health to consumers’ palates. These botanicals can be incorporated into various food arrays, including beverages, snacks, and desserts. Firmenich notes, “Botanicals lend themselves naturally to creative blending in food & beverages. Over the past decade, the use of combinations of flavors has been steadily increasing in launched consumer packaged goods (CPG’s), cresting at 45% of all launches in 2018” (Firmenich).
What are Botanicals?
Botanicals are dried or fresh herbs, plant parts, oleoresins, extracts, or spices—simply derived from plants.
Who are they marketed towards?
They are marketed towards sustainable, health-conscious, and clean-label-conscious consumers.
Sources:
- Valappil, Zareena. “Citrus in Demand: Squeezing out New Potential.” Perfumer & Flavorist, Dec. 2021, pp. 29–30.
- “Firmenich Announces Magical Botanical as the 10th Annual Flavor of the Year!” Firmenich, [link to the source].
