Sweet and salty, heat paired with sweet, exotic flavor combinations, alcohol-inspired flavors, and a slew of new limited-edition/seasonal flavors — these are just some of the flavor trends making their way through the ice cream aisles. Ice cream processors are looking for flavor inspiration in a variety of places, from restaurants and chefs to bars and coffee shops. Flavor truly rules the market.
As Chicago-based Mintel explained in a 2014 report, the expanded flavor varieties speak to consumer interest in taste; according to survey data, 69% of respondents identify flavor as most important to them.