Trendiest Smoothie Flavors
If there’s one shift increasingly more consumers are making these days, it’s becoming more health-conscious, especially as it pertains to what they put in their bodies. Smoothies are an effortless, delicious, and nutritious way to start the day, making them the go-to choice for many people whether they are in a rush or not. You can make smoothies with a huge variety of different ingredients – not just fruits but also healthy add-ins such as spinach, kale, nut butters, chia seeds, or hemp. Smoothies are particularly popular among active Americans who drink smoothies for energy, for protein, and the convenience of a quick, portable meal or snack.
Millennials are famously unafraid to try new things when it comes to their food, and they have taken smoothies to the next level in ways that consumers of all ages are now enjoying. While most smoothies begin with a base of simple ingredients such as almond milk, bananas, or berries, there are now countless add-in options chosen to enhance protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals in these healthy drinks. Some new add-ins and flavor possibilities include greens such as kale or spinach, kefir, matcha, beet powder, bee pollen, and even algae. Chia seeds and nut butters such as almond butter are growing in popularity, too.
One thing that many consumers value today is preparing their food at home, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t want help when they can get it. There are many successful products on the market now that help make homemade food more convenient, such as frozen slow-cooker meals and packaged cake mixes. Now, smoothie lovers are discovering the delights of frozen smoothie starters, perfectly-sized portions of frozen fruit or other smoothie bases designed to make it easier than ever to create delicious smoothies at home that address specific nutrition goals. Smoothies are the perfect place for natural, organic flavor ingredients such as strawberry extract and banana distillate that help keep the taste of these frozen foods sharp and bright.
However, for the busiest and most convenience-hungry consumers, bottled smoothies take the cake when it comes to maximum nutrition with zero effort. Bottled smoothies give consumers the choices they want in fresh, creamy smoothies without having to chop fruit, measure ingredients, or wash the blender – they simply open the bottle and take it on the go. Bottled smoothies offer an excellent opportunity to experiment with superfoods and other popular ingredients and flavors consumers want, from blueberries and mangoes to sweet potatoes and beets to yogurt and avocado.
Whether you’re experimenting with add-in ingredients, creating smoothie starters, or putting together your own signature bottled smoothies, the smoothie market is clearly an excellent place for flavorists to invest their resources and come up with the next great product.