Page 31 - FoodFocusThailand No.173 August 2020

SPECIAL FOCUS

CBD. Now ice cream can offer indulgence and A Snacking Revolution
an added sense of well-being. One interesting Consumers are snacking more than ever before and snacking can fit any category or day
example is Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream’s part. When it comes to ice cream, handheld snacks are no longer just ice cream bars;
Vegan Couch Potato which contains innovations in shape, size and portability are making snacking on ice cream easier than
approximately 5 milligrams of CBD in each ever.
scoop.
Customization
Loaded Indulgences 47% of regular ice cream consumers have a favorable perception of a product that is
“customized/ personalized”. Consumer interest in customized treats is being addressed at
For those who are only concerned with the ice cream shops around the country as innovators are taking a new approach that
indulgent side of ice cream, brands and differentiates themselves. The National Restaurant Association asked chefs what they
operators are loading on the good stuff. Ice thought would be the trending snacks and sweets in 2019 and Thai rolled ice cream was
cream is meant to be a treat, after all, so added named the top sweet item. Gordo’s Ice Cream in Chicago has found another way to customize
indulgence in the form of layers, textures, with their personalized dipped and topped bars.
toppings and fillings is a welcome addition.

Flavor Mix and Mash Ups
Consumers are interested in flavor mashups in
their ice creams and brands are offering options
to meet their needs. Exciting new flavors can
be achieved through cross category innovation
(bringing confection or bakery into ice cream)
or bringing multiple brands together like the
Breyers 2in1 products.

Sophisticated Flavor Profiles
Ice cream makers have begun appealing to
more mature palates with flavors that are unique,
refined and complex. These flavors tend to
appear more in small brands and include more
premium ingredients. Some of these flavors
might include ethnic flavors, alcohol, tea or
spices. Pair these sophisticated ice cream
flavors with the familiar favorites (like chocolate)
for a premium flavor experience. The brand
Humphry Slocombe does this well by offering
Turmeric-infused Honey Milk ice cream with
Chocolate Chip Gingerbread and Candied
Ginger.

Bring in Savory or Salty Flavors
Look outside “sweet treats” for a unique flavor
innovation that pushes boundaries for
adventurous consumers. Potato chips, French
fries, salty pretzels add unique texture and
sensory experiences. For funkier flavors, add
blue cheese, foie gras, avocado or corn. Betty
Rae’s Ice Cream in Kansas offered a limited-
edition ice cream striped with a caramel made
of Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que’s original
sauce and candied pieces of burnt ends brisket
swirled in.
Craft and Small Batch
As with other product categories, a product that
is craft or small batch has an exclusive feel and
positioning to entice consumers to try this special
product while they can. These products can
often be perceived as more premium. Limited
Time Offers fit into this category too. Anything
that might create a sense of FOMO (Fear of
Missing Out) in consumers.

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