Ways to Utilize Lavender for Flavor
Flavorists and consumers alike are now more open to expanding their palette than ever before, which means its prime time for new flavors to rise. There is a wealth of new options available when it comes to exotic fruits, vegetables and even grains. However, one of the most wild and experimental flavors is already well known on the market – but it’s mostly known as a fragrance ingredient.
The conspicuous ingredient is lavender and although it may sound strange, it has the potential to take over the flavor market. Lavender has long been used in specific dishes to create a unique and exotic flavor. It is often combined with lemon for a tangy, deliciously distinct treat, however, there are other flavors that also blend well with lavender. These include strawberry, honey, and pear as well as herbal flavors such as sage, rosemary, and oregano.
Lavender is a usually a favorite in dessert creations, including dairy products and baked goods. It can be used either as the primary component in a flavor or it can be used as an enticing addition to bring elegance and complexity to a dish. Though the flavor can be added to products, the primary concern is preserving its delicacy without overpowering it as other ingredients are added as well.
While this one is likely to remain a specialty flavor rather than a mainstream hit for the time being, there are still many different ways that a flavorist can make use of lavender in product creation. It can provide many options for exploring new flavors, on both the sweet and savory side.
While experimenting with new flavors, companies must also keep current market trends in mind. The health and wellness trend has taken off and is expected to continue to grow into 2019.
Source: Mintel GNPD
The always classic lavender has started nudging into this sector of the market, in the form of health drinks such as tea, birch water and kombucha. These drinks are projected to include a second flavor to pair with lavender, such as chamomile, strawberry and ginger. The table above shows the grows of these flavors which may continue to climb.
Though lavender is a classic flavor, bringing these secondary flavors into the mix allows for a rejuvenation of teas, waters and other health and wellness beverages. Although lavender can be used in other applications, the health and wellness products will be impacted the most.