• Introduction
• Flavor and Quality Are Key
• Simplicity and Integrity Important
• Flavor Will Become More Key as Technology Increases
• As the World Shrinks, Our Food Options Expand
• Winning Consumers One Step at a Time
• Chefs’ Role Continues to Expand and Change
• Taste and Flavor Still an Intangible

• Ethnic Flavors
• Bold Flavors
• Flavor Partners
• Fruits
• New Flavors for Old Favorites
• Fresh and Authentic Flavors
• Health and Wellness

Chapter 2 Changing Consumer Demographics and Tastes

• Overview
  • A Note on Simmons Analysis
  
  
• Consumers’ Goals for 2005 - Better Nutrition, Convenience, and More Variety
  • Table 2-1 Consumer Response to “As You Think About the Foods You Are Currently Eating, What Would You Like to Change About Your Eating Habits in 2005?”
  
  
• Consumers Are Looking for Sophisticated Quality
• Ethnic Diversity Will Affect Industry
• Convenience Still a Key Driver
• Health and Wellness Continues to Resonate
• Healthy Growth in the Kids’ Market
  • Healthy and Convenient Snacks Key Market
  • Beverages Pour On Nutrition
  • Kids’ Flavor Preferences Vary
  
  
• Young Adults Looking For Variety and Fresh Flavors
  • Freshness, Health and Convenience Are Hot Buttons
  • More Open to New Foods and Ethnic Flavors
  • Table 2-2 Propensity for “Adventure” in Eating, Expressed by Age Group
  
  
• Aging Population Offers Challenges and Opportunities
  • Sense of Adventure Seems to Decline With Age
  • Increased Appreciation for Healthy Ingredients
  
  
• Asians are Most Adventurous Diners
  • Table 2-3 Propensity for Adventurous Eating, Expressed by Ethnic/Racial Group

Chapter 3 Distribution Channels

• Flavors Are Key in Competitive Restaurant Industry
  • Table 3-1 Menu Category Sales Among “Top 100” chains
  
  
• Health a Major Driver
  • Salads Sizzling
  • Organic Is Growing
  • Fresh Look at Fruit
  
  
• Diners Looking for More Diversity and Quality
  • Ethnic Continuing to Climb
  • Small Plates Getting Bigger
  
  
• Key Ingredients Range from International Breads to Cheese
  • International Breads and Sandwiches
  • Cheese Spreading
  • Fresh and Spicy Flavors
  • Table 3-2 20 Fastest Growing Ingredients on Chain Menus in 2003
  
  
• Convenience Stores - More Flavor 24/7
• Supermarkets - Helping Accelerate Awareness of Flavor Trends
  • Natural, Organic and Upscale Markets Post Strong Growth
  • Convenience - More Dine-In Options and Value-Added Products
  • Ethnic Continues to Grow
  
  
• Number of New Products Slows; Flavor Still Key Component
  • Nutritional, Healthy Choices Win Most Attention
  • Convenience Rules

Chapter 4 Ethnic Flavors

• Table 4-1 Consumers’ Most Ordered Ethnic Cuisines
• Table 4-2 Ethnic Cuisines Highlighted by Consumer Media, December 2004
• Ethnic Flavors Traveling Throughout Food Chain
• Authenticity Increasingly Important
• Flavors Becoming More Important Than Country of Origin
• Asian Cuisines - Leading The Way in 2005
  • Table 4-3 Asian Regional Recipes on Food Network
  
  
• Asian Trends 2005: Spices/flavors, Soups, Sauces, Fresh and Healthy
  • Some Universal Spices
  • More Flavors in a Bowl
  • Adding Deeper Flavors Through Sauces
  • Fresh and Healthy are Key Ingredients
  
  
• Indian - An Emerging Flavor Profile for 2005
• Indian Trends 2005: Flavorful Traditions, Breads, Spices/Sauces, Snacks
  • Flavorful Traditions Catching On
  • Rising Interest in Flat Breads
  • Spices and Sauces To Watch
  • On-the-Go Foods, On Their Way
  
  
• North African and Moroccan Flavors - Slowly Picking Up Steam
• North African and Moroccan Flavors 2005: Spice Blends and Tagines
  • Morocco Leading the Way
  
  
• Hispanic Food - A Booming Market
  • Convenience Foods Are Major Market
  • Latin Flavors Leading the Pack
  
  
• Latin American Trends 2005: Grilled Meats & Sauces, Beverages, “Fast Food,” Sweets, Peruvian and Brazilian flavors
  • Grilled Meats/Sauces - Scarsdale Meets South America
  • Small Plates/”Fast Food” Continue to be Popular
  • Beverage Flavors Trickling Down
  • Sweetening the Pot
  • Peruvian and Brazilian gaining attention
  • Table 4-4 Latin/Hispanic Regional Recipes on Food Network
  
  
• Spanish Cuisine is Hotter Than Ever
• Spanish Trends 2005: Cured Meats, Olive Oils, Pimenton, Cheese
  • Cured Meats
  • Pimenton
  • Cheese
  • Olive Oil
  
  
• Caribbean Flavors - A Melting Pot of Today’s Top Trends
• Caribbean Trends 2005: Focus on Packaged Foods, Spice Blends, Condiments
  • Packaged Foods Provide More Variety, Healthy Choices
  • Caribbean Spices Growing
  • Sauces and Condiments

Chapter 5 Adding Levels of Heat and Flavor

• Peppers - Moving Beyond the Burn
• Chiles Are Hot, Varied and Versatile
• Other Heat Producing Spices
• Turmeric, Mustard, and Cumin to Grow in 2005
• Peppercorns Add Flavor and Color
• Spice Mixtures
  • Table 5-1: New Product Introductions: Peppers
  • Table 5-2: Food Shows Building Peppers’ Exposure
  • Table 5-3: New Product Introductions: Bold Spices and Flavors

Chapter 6 Sweet, Savory and Sour

• Sweet Heat - From Fringe to Favored
  • Ceviche Goes Mainstream
  • Ethnic Barbecue Heats Up
  
  
• Sweet and Savory - From Chutney to Confections
  • Chutney Gaining Attention
  • Sweets Going Savory
  • Herbs and Ice Cream - A Hot Combo
  
  
• Vinegar, Verjus Adding A Sweet-Sour Splash
• Cinnamon and Honey - Sweet Flavors to Watch
  • Cinnamon - Growing Strong
  • The Buzz on Honey
  
  
• Cardamom and Coriander Slow Growth

Chapter 7 Exotic Fruits and Berries - The Stars of 2005

• Table 7-1 New Product Introductions: Exotic Fruits and Berries
• Citrus Offers Versatility and Variety
  • Orange - An Old Friend in New Places
  • Pomelo - A Giant Citrus with Big Possibilities
  • Several Other Emerging Citrus Varieties
  
  
• Health + Flavor Makes Pomegranate a Winner
• Tamarind’s Unique Flavor Spreading
• Mango Moving Mainstream
• Asian Flavors Poised for Growth - Yuzu, Kaffir Lime, Lychee
  • Yuzu Continues Growing in Upscale Restaurants
  • Kaffir Lime Growing Steadily
  • Lychees on the Horizon
  
  
• Berry Berry Beneficial
• Guarana Jumps Ahead
  • Acai Gaining Strength
  • Go Go Goji
  • Exotic Flavors May Take Some Time to Become Accepted

Chapter 8 New Flavors for Old Favorites

• Meat - a Protein with Pizazz
  • Premium Beef and Pork Heating Up
  • Sausages Linking Trends
  • Exotic Meats Catching On
  
  
• Just Say Cheese
  • Bold and International Flavors Lead the Way
  
  
• Sandwiches Moving into the Spotlight
  • Grilling Adds Panache
  • Simple Sophistication
  • International Versions Growing
  
  
• Sea Salt Rocks
  • Some Interesting Sea Salt Flavors From Around the World:
  
  
• Vanilla Continues to Evolve

Chapter 9 Fresh and Authentic Flavors

• Organic Continues Healthy Growth
  • Produce Leading Purchase
  • Table 9-1 Organic Shoppers Are Purchasing
  • Some Growth Categories for 2005:
  
  
• Kosher Goes Mainstream
  • Kosher Opportunities:
  
  
• Other “Authentic” Labels Gaining Interest
  • Power of Ethical Labels Growing
  • Local and Artisan Ingredients Appealing
  
  
• Specialty Produce
  • Heirloom Produce Gaining Attention
  • Baby Vegetables and Micro Greens Shooting Up
  
  
• A Fresh Look at Salads
• Fresh Herb Flavors
  • Table 9-2 New Product Introductions: Lemon Grass, Cilantro, Ginger

Chapter 10 Wellness

• In with the Good, Out with the Bad
• Low Carb Fading, Low Fat Gaining
  • Table 10-1 Consumer Response to “Which of the following cuisines do you intend to eat more of in 2005?”
  
  
• Functional Foods Move Center Stage
  • Probiotics - An Emerging Market
  • Soy Continues to Grow
    • Antioxidants Offer Variety of Opportunities
    
    
  • Renewed Interest in Fiber
    • Whole Grains Growing
    
    
  • Allergy Busters - Buckwheat and Spelt
    • Table 10-2 New Product Introductions: Grains
    
    
  • Teas - Moving From Iced to Ingredient
    • Table 10-3 New Product Introductions: Teas
    • Tea As An Ingredient

Chapter 11 Trends and Opportunities

• Drink For Your Health
• Adding Layers of Flavor
• Barbecue Heats Up
• Nostalgia, Getting Back to Basics
• Healthy, Convenient Foods for Children
• Novelty Flavors and Packaging for Kids
• More Chocolate
• More International Small Plates and Grab-and-Go
• Coffee, Tea and
• Sweetening the Sugar Pot
• Convenient Fruit Options
• Breakfast Breaks Out
• Health and Wellness Will Take Root
• Energy Everything
• The Jack Pot