2009 set to be the spiciest year yet

The new products of tomorrow certainly won't be bland, mild or boring. Looking ahead to 2009, forecaster Mintel has said that manufacturers will reach for exotic fruits and fresh, soothing flavours with a touch of spice to jazz up their new products.

Aromas inspired by nature will also feature heavily in products, according to the report.

Mintel's product expert, David Jago, explained why foodies should be excited about new tastes and smells hitting global markets soon: "Today's manufacturer is constantly looking for those tastes and aromas that stand out and capture shoppers' imaginations. By adding exotic fruits and more unusual ingredients to everyday products, companies give people the opportunity to experiment and move out of their comfort zones without breaking the bank."

Mintel has identified seven flavours that will come into the limelight next year:

Persimmon
Viewed as a unique and exotic fruit, persimmon is poised to make a major splash in food and beverage. Mintel expects companies to blend it with more common fruits, as seen in a new Japanese yoghurt that contains white peaches, persimmon and apricots.

Starfruit
Another unusually shaped, distinctly flavoured fruit - starfruit - is catching on around the globe. Already seen in Flor De Hibiscus's Chutney with Star Fruit (Brazil), the exotic fruit will become a major global player in 2009.

Lavender
Mintel expects lavender to move beyond the home and personal care categories and into food and beverage next year. Already seen in products such as Lindt Chocolat Provenance's Lemon-Lavender dream chocolate (Germany), lavender can be paired with more familiar ingredients to bring a naturally soothing, aromatic quality to food and drink.

Cactus
Cactus is already a popular food flavour in Latin America, seen in products like Nopalia Cactus Toasts (Mexico) which contain both cactus and corn. Next year, look for manufacturers to incorporate this regional taste into new food products around the world.

Chimichurri
Another classic from Latin America, chimichurri is a sauce for grilled meats, recognised for its clean, clear flavour. It has already begun to win fans in the US, seen in new products like Gaucho Ranch's Original Argentinean Chimichurri Steak Sauce, but we could well be enjoying this spicy flavour further afield.

Peri-Peri
This is an African hot sauce that has been made famous in the UK by the Nando's restaurant chain. But we can expect to see peri-peri appear in more products on our supermarket shelves as 2009 will be peri-peri's year to set the world alight.

Masala
Chicken Tikka Masala is one of the most popular curries in the UK, but masala as a flavour is expected to become the hot star across the globe for 2009.

Words: Clare Riley

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