Apricot Predicted to Be a Rising Flavor Trend
As every year comes to a close, industries look forward to see what the next big trends will be in the coming year – the flavor industry is no different. There are a number of different predictions already in place for the coming year, from the rise of regional flavors to the increasing prominence of until now uncommon spices from other areas of the world. However, one big trend that flavorists are expecting to rise in popularity is actually an old classic.
Apricot has been an American classic for decades. However, in the past few decades it has not seen as much recognition as other fruit flavors, such as pear and pineapple. Even peach, its closest cousin in the world of food and beverage flavors, has seen continued popularity, even before its latest popularity boom in the past several years. That seems set to change, as an increasing number of flavorists are beginning to use apricot flavors in the creation of their products.
But why the rise in apricot as a flavor? It might seem surprising that this fruit flavor, which is regarded as some by old-fashioned, seems set to become a major flavor trend. However, its widespread use in one of the biggest new applications for fruit flavors has largely led to its newfound appeal.
Apricot has played a prominent role in the craft brewing industry over the past several years, where its earthy sweetness works well blended with the flavors of beers, ales, and other similar alcoholic beverages. In fact, it is in this industry that apricot still sees its biggest use. Small breweries often use apricot flavor ingredients to create custom, one-of-a-kind blends, and even larger breweries are starting to get in on the hype as they offer their own variations on this new and delicious flavor combination.
Likewise, as apricot increases in popularity in the brewing industry, it has seen increasing use outside of the traditional markets for the fruit. Another of the biggest trends in the flavor industry over the past several years has been the combination of sweet flavors with savory flavors to create complex salsas, sauces, and marinades. Apricot is just one of many sweet fruit flavors to be used in these types of products – other examples include mango, which offers products a sweet and tropical edge, and peach.
And of course, apricot is still used in those areas where it has always seen a fair amount of popularity, such as in the creation of pies, fruit fillings, and for the flavoring of other types of baked goods. It is also commonly used as a flavor for chocolate and other confectionery treats. Apricot may also make for a delicious gourmet ice cream, frozen yogurt, soft yogurt, or gelato.
Apricot flavor can be recreated in products using a wide range of products, including Advanced Biotech’s Natural Gamma Undecalactone, Natural Benzyl Butyrate, and Natural Hexyl Butyrate. It can also be enhanced with the addition of peachy flavor ingredients, including Advanced Biotech’s Natural Peach Mercaptan EEC. However a flavorist chooses to recreate apricot flavor, it is important for them to consider the natural qualities of the fruit and to search for ways to make it fresh and exciting for buyers.