Frozen dessert trends are boasting exciting colors, innovative textures and new technologies, according to US-based Balchem Corporation. The company is spotlighting the taste trends expected to make waves in 2021, which include a cherry-inspired Ruby chocolate, watermelon fizz, and birthday cake variations. Speaking to FoodIngredientsFirst, Tracy Snider, Marketing Director for Human Nutrition & Health at Balchem, says, “industry will see a return to all-time creature comforts and bringing fun home in 2020.”

Over the past five years, ice cream launches have become more premium with a greater diversity of flavors from around the world, including boozy and mocktail-inspired flavors, explains Snider. “Consumers still want better-for-you indulgences with low- or no-added sugar, cleaner labels and more protein,” she details.” There’s a ton of white space in industry for innovation in novelties with popping toppings or textured variegates that bring a crunch to consumers.”

Moreover, Snider says that plant-based frozen desserts continue to grow with new bases. “We continue to bring forward new system-based concepts based on novel non-dairy bases, like bananas for a non-allergen, dairy-free experience. Veganism has leveraged the banana base in previous months, and we are bringing more options forward for 2021. Consumers want more choice, more frequently and they want it to be clean label,” she notes.

Feature flavors 2021
Balchem pegs its new Ruby Chocolate Cherry flavor as a key flavor one to watch. “This is a rich, Ruby Chocolate ice cream that takes a vibrant pink spin on traditional chocolate. It is the rose gold of chocolate ice cream. Then, we’ve included Milk Chocolate Hearts and swirls of Cherry Variegate. The Cherry Variegate perfectly complements the smooth Milk Chocolate Hearts. This pink-toned ice cream has us falling in love with our Ruby Chocolate Cherry flavor, a perfect flavor to add to any Valentine’s line-up,” Snider comments. 

Watermelon Fizz is the company’s next feature flavor for 2021. “It is a bubbly-inspired treat that tastes like a relaxing summer afternoon by the pool. This fresh flavor is Watermelon Champagne flavored sorbet with Raspberry included as well,” she continues. “This flavor adds a fun pop of color to our flavors and is sure to be received with enthusiasm from consumers.”

Furthermore, Black Widows Web pegged by Balchem as a feature flavor is a dark gray “cookies & Cream” ice cream with tiny white bone candy inclusions. “Gooey streaks of Slimy Red Variegate are added throughout and then swirled into this cookies & cream ice cream with the Slimy Red Variegate,” Snider says. This flavor demonstrates the broad range of feature flavors and creativity available at Balchem, she affirms. 

The next flavor tipped for success is the company’s Fourth of July-inspired flavor: Red, White and Blue. “Our Red, White and Blue Feature Flavor is Red Cake ice cream twisted with Blue Cake ice cream. These two paired together create an American colored tie-dye effect. Then, there are pieces of pound cake included. To top it all off, we have included ribbons of White Firework Popping Variegate that explode in your mouth,” she reveals. “Our Popping Variegate creates an exciting ice cream eating experience.”

Taste visions ahead
According to Snider, consumers are interested in new flavors and taste experiences that delight. Ice cream and frozen desserts are moving faster when they bring new flavors to the freezer case, more often with Limited-Time Offerings (LTOs). “The Millennial demographic continues to lead exportation in new flavors. 

Nevertheless, the flavor is the most important attribute of ice cream and frozen dessert sales, regardless of demographic. Attributes like texture, ingredient profiles, sugar content, fat content and protein follow flavor in nearly every survey we review,” she elaborates. “However, never forget the kid-factor when it comes to parents purchasing sweet treats to appease their fellow household shoppers. Brightly flavored colors are still fundamental among this demographic,” she maintains. 

Balchem is adapting its feature flavors program to help our customers answer the challenge of seasonality and faster innovation in the freezer case, Snider remarks. “Global innovation continues to surge, and looking ahead, we’re seeking fusions of different cultures for more inspiration in NPD,” she concludes.