Flavor Expert Foresees Emerging Trends For 2013

The chief flavor architect of a company specializing in kettle-cooked chips and other snacks predicts the emergence of five flavor themes over the coming 12 months. Carolyn Ottenheimer of Kettle Brand says she discovered the trends by perusing restaurant, deli and food shop menus, while keeping up with international flavor developments. The emerging flavor trends include: sweet and smoky (e.g., praline bacon with apple); hot (sriracha, habanero, wasabi); sweet and salty (salted caramel, kettle corn); tangy (kim chi, pickles, kraut); and floral (juniper, lavender, spruce shoots).