“Nostalgia: a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.”
Before we reveal our list of trending Custom Flavors…we want to talk a lot more about nostalgia. We’ve done our market research and we know that there’s a good chance that you probably love great-tasting food and beverages. We’ll go even further and hypothesize that either the 90s or 2000s have some pretty special significance to you.
If they don’t, don’t worry. We’ve still got a few deliciously sweet and nostalgic points to make.
Whether you spent those specific years in middle school, high school, or college, the things you remember from those times are special. The food you eat and the drinks you drink in the present are all affected by tastes that you acquired in the past. All of our favorite tastes are driven by our nostalgia. The people we enjoyed them with. The exotic places we were in and the vacations we took. The things we did when we enjoyed them…these important memories cannot be understated.
If it’s important, let’s talk more about it! A handful of exciting sour & sweet flavors, some awesome brands that we all love to remember, and brand licensing strategies that open up new markets and attract new customers…sounding pretty tasty?
Which flavors are customers currently looking for? We’ve tried to break it down into three easy-to-understand and memorable categories:
SOUR & FRUITY
Walk into any convenience store, candy shop, or movie theater in America, and it’s plain easy to see what consumers want. On top of that, what they’re craving most is anything but plain. From the sweet and shockingly sour tastes of tart fruit candies to the more health-conscious sugar-free candy-flavored options of today’s modern world, we can help you recreate any of these amazing tastes:
- JOLLY RANCHERS: The hard candies that are impossible to stop eating are as popular as ever. From Halloween to Easter and far beyond, consumers of all ages love their flavors and their fun branding.
- SOUR PATCH KIDS: First, they’re sour, and then they’re…you know the rest! No matter your favorite “kid”, our team of flavor experts can bring them to life.
- WARHEADS, AIRHEADS, & LEMONHEADS: Do you see a theme here? We do…sweet & sour notes of happiness! Don’t blow your top trying to work with other flavor houses that don’t understand your passion. Schedule a call with our team today.
- RED BULL & MONSTER
- GUSHERS
- LAFFY TAFFY
- JUICY FRUIT
DECADENT & RICH
Need something a little different to bring back those childhood tastes?
Well, nothing says nostalgia like the sweet flavors that we all associate with heart, home, and community. From fresh-baked cookies and pastries to the ice cream and candy flavors of your favorite local parlor, our expert flavorists here at Custom Flavors can help you recreate the experiences of…
- WERTHER’S ORIGINAL CARAMEL: Found in candy stores and bakery creations from coast to coast, these delicious buttery caramels are too unique to leave to anyone but the experts. Luckily, we know a few.
- GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: We told you that we did our market research. Consumers are crazy about one thing in particular—COCONUT. Samoas, anyone?
- STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE: The sweet and brightly colored notes of this pink dessert make it almost as fun to look at as it is to eat. We can recreate your favorite version or work on an entirely new variation.
- SNICKERDOODLE
- DEVIL’S FOOD CAKE
Buyers who flocked to the stores to buy new variations of Rice Krispie Treats and combo flavors of their favorite snacks have not gone away. If you’re interested in licensing or partnering with larger chocolate & pastry brands that already have name recognition, Custom Flavors will deliver something more accurate (and delicious) than the competition.
On a health kick? Check out some of our other amazing sports nutrition & functional flavors here.
TROPICAL & EXOTIC
Who doesn’t love thinking about vacations? When you can’t travel somewhere, the next best experience is to eat or drink something delicious that takes you away:
- GUAVA
- LYCHEE
- YUZU
- DRAGON FRUIT
- PASSIONFRUIT
- PINEAPPLE
No matter your favorite nostalgic flavors, we appreciate you taking the time to reminisce with us about some of ours. Did we give you something new or exciting to remember? We hope to hear from you more in the future. Schedule a call today, and let’s discuss your team’s flavor needs.
