Spring is in the air!
What better way to celebrate than by embracing new flavours. This season has a wealth of delicious ingredients just waiting to be discovered. There are so many ways to elevate your brand’s offering this year, simply by adding new flavour-packed ingredients to the mix. Below, we’ve put together some ideas for getting started.
Try Local Flavours
As a Canadian, you’re probably already aware of the incredible diversity of ingredients that grow in our country. While we’re often known for our maple syrup and poutine (which is delicious), there are many other homegrown ingredients that can be used in your ‘Made in Canada’ products.
If you’re looking for inspiration, we recommend heading to local farmer’s markets or specialty food shops where there are plenty of local products available. You might be surprised by some of the things growing right under your nose! For example: did you know that one third of all plants grown worldwide come from Canada? Or that Saskatoon berries are becoming known as a “super fruit on the rise”?
Work with Local Growers and Producers
As a product developer, you want to make sure that the ingredients you’re working with are fresh and high-quality. Working with local growers and producers can help you achieve this goal. They can give you access to seasonal produce that’s in top-form, as well as products that they’ve grown themselves and oversee from planting, to harvest, and into package to find its way to you.
The best way to find these folks? Ask around! Talk with your local food service teams, head to annual food expos, or check the local farmer’s market as we stated previously. Once you’ve found some good options, reach out directly through email or phone calls so that they know exactly what kind of products/services they’re providing before setting up an appointment for a tasting session (this helps ensure everyone gets exactly what they want).
Embrace a more diverse flavour profile
Flavours can bring depth to your product.
New flavours that can help you broaden your consumers’ palette, or even just make them smile. Not only for food, but also for drink, alcoholic beverages, and baked goods!
If you’re looking for a way to expand your range of products and appeal to a wider audience then it’s time to embrace a more diverse flavour profile – one that might not already exist on the market.
Think “super”
Going into the warmer months, consumers are getting back to their outdoorsy, active, and health-prioritized routines. This is the time of year that they’re looking to optimize their healthier ingredient intake, and callouts for added nutritional value or flavours that speak the language of the season (i.e., fruit) are going to stand out on the shelves and menus.
So, where to start?
We suggest exploring the world of Super Fruits if you haven’t already dipped your product line into this delicious world of nutrition-packed ingredients.
You might be familiar with the more popular of the variety, including
- Blueberry
- Cranberry
- Grapes
- Figs
Over the last decade, there’s been a group of newly revealed super fruits that hit the market hard, taking smoothie recipes by storm. You’ve likely heard of one of the following in the last few years;
- Goji Berry
- Acai Berry
- Pomegranates
- Blackberry
Now. If you’re really up-to-date on your super fruits, you’ve heard of this next list that’s creeping into the market; only having been discovered for their amazing flavours and intense nutritional punch by a select few brands. If you’re looking to make a splash in your category in 2023, we suggest exploring
- Saskatoon Berry
- Black Chokeberry
- Kumquat
There are lots of delicious ingredients out there, and many are right under your nose here in Canada!
You have probably heard of the Saskatoon berry, but do you know what it tastes like? The taste has been described as sweet, nutty almond flavour. This springtime fruit is typically eaten raw, but can also be used in pies and jams.
If you’re interested in hearing more about the Saskatoon Berry and its flavour profiles, we invite you to reach out to our wholesale team here at Prairie Berries using our contact form. We’d love to help you explore a possible new addition to your product line.
Conclusion
We hope this guide helps you to discover new ingredients and flavour combinations. It’s a wonderful time of year to try something new, and we know you’ll love these Spring flavours!
Cheers to you,
– Prairie Berries
