Flavor of the Year 2022
Firmenich’s 2022 Flavor of the Year, called Magical Botanical, draws its inspiration from the latest Pantone® Color of the Year 2022, Very Peri, and the transformative power and magical nature of botanicals, ushering in a new era for inspired flavor creation.
Transforming Consumer Expectations
Our Human Insights surveys show clear indicators that consumers have become considerably more creative at home in the kitchen, learning to work with and combine nature’s most aromatic and culinarily relevant plants to create unexpected food and drink experiences.
Today’s consumer is hungry for more interesting and complex flavors, such as Magical Botanical, which contain benefits that go beyond single hero ingredients.
In the most recent wave of Firmenich’s global consumer tracking across 22 countries, the top 3 behavior changes noted by consumers during the past year were...
" Made a major improvement in cooking ability "
" Become more passionate about food overall "
"Increased use of herbs and spices"
“To help serve the consumer-driven diet transformation with food & beverages that are better for people and planet, we aimed to develop a creation which embodies this transformation.”
Emmanuel Butstraen, President, Taste & Beyond
The Botanical Flavor Market
1,300+
New Product Launches
Most Popular Categories
Hot Drinks, Alcoholic Drinks, Baked Goods
29%
CAGR Since 2017
Categories on the Rise
Sauces, Snacks, Juices, Confectionary, Desserts
SOURCE: FIRMENICH PROPRIETARY FLAVOR KNOWLEDGE PORTAL, FUELED BY MINTEL GNPD DATA, LEVERAGING MORE THAN TEN YEARS’ WORTH OF DATA ACROSS MILLIONS OF LAUNCHED PRODUCTS TO UNCOVER PATTERNS AND TRENDS AROUND FOOD AND BEVERAGE INNOVATION.
The Magical Botanical Collection
Firmenich Magical Botanical flavors were designed around a core of intriguing botanical ingredients and culinary herbs of natural origin and traceable sourcing known for their healing and immunity-supporting powers. Firmenich Creators paired these ingredients with dynamic elements of surprise and delight, transforming them into a collection of great-tasting flavors designed to inspire new creativity in a wide variety of applications.
BRUNO DE SIQUEIRA, BRAZIL
Illusion Flavor
A flavor that invites complexity and depth with illusory taste.
YUKIKO ANDO OVESEN, SINGAPORE
Mystic Flavor
A taste that enlivens and brightens
SYLVAIN LAUVAUX, BELGIUM
Twilight Flavor
A taste that bewitches, evoking the intrigue of after dark.
ANA LAURA VALDES, MEXICO
Fantasy Flavor
A taste that gently energizes and harmonizes
ARI GASTMAN, UNITED STATES
Charm Flavor
A whimsical taste that suggests easy delight.
Follow Firmenich on LinkedIn and Instagram to find out the next Magical Botanical Flavor and Creator Spotlight to be revealed from the collection!