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SINGAPORE, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Flavour innovation is evolving rapidly as consumer taste profiles shift. Mintel's "The Future of Flavours 2025" report highlights emerging trends driving the food and drink industry—from the rise of adventurous palates and global influences to the impact of AI and sustainability on flavour development.
Now: A Growing Appetite for Flavour Exploration, Global Influences, and the Balance of Health and Indulgence
Consumers today are more adventurous than ever, eager to discover new tastes while still indulging in familiar favourites. In China, 40% of consumers say they "look for new foods/flavours to try most of the time", while 23% of South Korean consumers share this enthusiasm.
This demand for flavour discovery opens opportunities for brands to introduce bold, globally inspired tastes. Interest in international flavours is rising, with 34% of Australian consumers and 33% of Thai consumers express interest in trying flavours from other cultures. At the same time, consumers expect functional health benefits without sacrificing indulgence, making it essential for brands to balance flavour innovation with wellness-driven formulations.
The Next Two Years: Enhancing Taste, Navigating Natural vs. Artificial, and the Growing Role of Texture
In the immediate future, taste enhancers will play a crucial role in elevating food and drink experiences. They can cater to diverse consumer needs, including those with taste impairments—an area where innovation remains limited. Factors such as health conditions, medications, ageing, and even COVID-19 can affect taste perception, creating opportunities for brands to address this gap.
The debate over artificial and natural flavours persists. According to Mintel research, over a third (34%) of US consumers say claims like "free from artificial flavourings" and "free from artificial colourings" influence their purchasing decisions. Brands will need to navigate consumer perceptions, cost considerations, sustainability challenges, and regulatory requirements to strike the right balance.
Meanwhile, texture innovation is becoming increasingly important, with brands offering a multisensory experience to enhance product appeal. While textures like crunchiness can signal healthfulness, they can also be associated with indulgence. Thus, the strategic use of textures will be key.
Five Years and Beyond: Sustainability and AI-Driven Flavour Innovation
Looking ahead, sustainability will be a key driver in flavour sourcing and production. The impact of climate change will necessitate the adoption of climate-resilient crops and diversified ingredient sourcing from regions like Asia and Africa. This shift aligns with a broader consumer mindset—viewing sustainability as a public health and resource issue rather than just an environmental concern. According to Mintel's Global Outlook on Sustainability 2024-2025 report, 46% of Indian consumers and 30% of Japanese consumers believe that companies can do more than governments to change the world.
Artificial intelligence (AI) can help tackle various aspects of sustainability in the food chain, including flavour innovation. It holds strong potential in enabling the creation of unique, personalised taste experiences and niche products. However, brands will need to communicate AI's benefits while addressing consumer scepticism about its role in food and drink development.
Thus brands that embrace sustainable practices and transparent communication will gain consumer trust and stand out in an increasingly eco-conscious market.
SINGAPORE, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Flavour innovation is evolving rapidly as consumer taste profiles shift. Mintel's "The Future of Flavours 2025" report highlights emerging trends driving the food and drink industry—from the rise of adventurous palates and global influences to the impact of AI and sustainability on flavour development.
Now: A Growing Appetite for Flavour Exploration, Global Influences, and the Balance of Health and Indulgence
Consumers today are more adventurous than ever, eager to discover new tastes while still indulging in familiar favourites. In China, 40% of consumers say they "look for new foods/flavours to try most of the time", while 23% of South Korean consumers share this enthusiasm.
This demand for flavour discovery opens opportunities for brands to introduce bold, globally inspired tastes. Interest in international flavours is rising, with 34% of Australian consumers and 33% of Thai consumers express interest in trying flavours from other cultures. At the same time, consumers expect functional health benefits without sacrificing indulgence, making it essential for brands to balance flavour innovation with wellness-driven formulations.
The Next Two Years: Enhancing Taste, Navigating Natural vs. Artificial, and the Growing Role of Texture
In the immediate future, taste enhancers will play a crucial role in elevating food and drink experiences. They can cater to diverse consumer needs, including those with taste impairments—an area where innovation remains limited. Factors such as health conditions, medications, ageing, and even COVID-19 can affect taste perception, creating opportunities for brands to address this gap.
The debate over artificial and natural flavours persists. According to Mintel research, over a third (34%) of US consumers say claims like "free from artificial flavourings" and "free from artificial colourings" influence their purchasing decisions. Brands will need to navigate consumer perceptions, cost considerations, sustainability challenges, and regulatory requirements to strike the right balance.
Meanwhile, texture innovation is becoming increasingly important, with brands offering a multisensory experience to enhance product appeal. While textures like crunchiness can signal healthfulness, they can also be associated with indulgence. Thus, the strategic use of textures will be key.
Five Years and Beyond: Sustainability and AI-Driven Flavour Innovation
Looking ahead, sustainability will be a key driver in flavour sourcing and production. The impact of climate change will necessitate the adoption of climate-resilient crops and diversified ingredient sourcing from regions like Asia and Africa. This shift aligns with a broader consumer mindset—viewing sustainability as a public health and resource issue rather than just an environmental concern. According to Mintel's Global Outlook on Sustainability 2024-2025 report, 46% of Indian consumers and 30% of Japanese consumers believe that companies can do more than governments to change the world.
Artificial intelligence (AI) can help tackle various aspects of sustainability in the food chain, including flavour innovation. It holds strong potential in enabling the creation of unique, personalised taste experiences and niche products. However, brands will need to communicate AI's benefits while addressing consumer scepticism about its role in food and drink development.
Thus brands that embrace sustainable practices and transparent communication will gain consumer trust and stand out in an increasingly eco-conscious market.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Flavour Innovation in 2025 and Beyond: Key Trends Shaping the Future of Food and Drink
SHANGHAI, April 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- From April 2 to 31, the Assembly Character Toys brand Blokees made its debut at the 2026 Thailand Toy Expo. Blokees unveiled its two major categories — Blokees Model Kits and Blokees Wheels, highlighting a diverse product matrix of more than 300 products across 17 globally recognized IPs, including Ultraman, Transformers, DC, Evangelion, Naruto, Minions, Jurassic World, Hatsune Miku, and Hero Infinity. Four new model kits also made their global debut, emerging as key highlights of the event.
Mario Maurer attended the opening ceremony of Blokees Thailand Toy Expo as a special guest and engaged in interactive exchanges with consumers.
In the Blokees Model Kits category, Blokees exhibited its Champion, Legend, and Fantastic Series, featuring popular IPs such as Transformers, DC, Mega Man, Saint Seiya, Evangelion, and Naruto. More than 50 products were presented to consumers. Among them, four newly launched items—including Blokees Saint Seiya-Champion Class-12-Phoenix Ikki, Blokees Saint Seiya-Champion Class-14-Andromeda Shun, Blokees DC-Champion Class 05-Batman (HUSH), and Blokees DC-Champion Class 06-Catwoman (Hush)—drew strong interest from fans.
Blokees also highlighted its HERO5 and HERO10 series, featuring well-known IPs including Transformers, Saint Seiya, and Naruto, catering to consumers of hero-themed collectible models.
The DaaLaMode series introduced a range of products inspired by popular IPs such as Hatsune Miku, appealing to female consumers. Meanwhile, the TERRAVENTURE series presented nature and creature-themed model kits based on Jurassic World, further expanding Blokees' offerings across different consumer segments.
In the Blokees Wheels category, which integrates construction, play, and customization, products are organized into the C, E, and S series. The lineup includes IP-based offerings from Transformers, Ultraman, and Batman, with upcoming collaborations featuring Fast & Furious and Ford.
In addition, Blokees highlighted its global consumer ecosystem, BFC (Blokees Family Creator). Selected works from 2025 The 3rd BFC Creation Contest Stellar Season were exhibited in Thailand for the first time, reflecting strong user creativity and engagement. 2026 The 4th BFC Creation Contest Season of Awakening has officially launched, further encouraging global participation.
Under its "Universally appealing, Stepwise pricing, Globally promoting" strategy, Blokees continues to expand across Southeast Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America. Thailand is rapidly becoming a strategic hub in its regional expansion, as the company strengthens both product innovation and community-driven growth worldwide.
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Blokees made its debut at 2026 Thailand Toy Expo, exhibiting multiple products
