1. FLAVOUR
trends + forecasts

2. Popular flavour in focaccia bread
STARTER | flavour trends
Rosemary
Popular flavour in focaccia bread
Pineapple
Seen on 30% more
starter menus
Sweet Chilli
Appearing on menus
as a sauce, jam or dip
Ethnic
Rosemary
35.3
Lemon Grass
30.8
Saffron
15.0
Fresh
Watermelon
62.5
Beet
50.0
Pineapple
33.3
Avocado
14.7
Cranberry
9.7
Bold
Chipotle
38.5
Sweet Chilli
33.3
Misc.
Manchego
44.4
Brie
21.4
Caviar
Sweet
17.6
Barbecue
17.5
Ricotta
13.0
Chorizo
8.8
Bacon
4.9
Guacamole
4.8
Methodology: Flavours are sorted by Year over Year growth. Minimum 7 items with at least 3 item growth.
Base: 296 operators with menus Q to Q4-2015
Ranked by year over year growth (%)

3. beet flavour forecast Earthy flavour, typically roasted or boiled
Breaded Mackerel Filet with pickled Hesketh Bank beets
The Highwayman Inn (Kirkby Lonsdale)
flavour forecast
beet
Earthy flavour, typically roasted or boiled
Highly nutritious
Pairs well with superfood grains

4. MAIN DISH | flavour trends
Melon
60% more operators adding
it to their menus
Sour
Increasing the average
price by 52%
Pistachio
Accelerated growth
from 11% to 42%
Fresh
Melon
42.9
Passion Fruit
33.3
Yuzu
30.8
Pomegranate
19.4
Cherry
13.4
Avocado
Apricot
13.3
Strawberry
7.8
Berry
7.0
Cucumber
6.0
Ginger
4.2
Dairy
Buttermilk
52.2
Monterey Jack
29.2
Cream Cheese
25.7
Bold
Sour
66.7
Chipotle
31.2
Buffalo
10.4
Spicy
1.4
Misc.
Poppy Seed
122.2
Pistachio
42.3
Hazelnut
24.4
Maple
17.9
Vanilla
15.0
Cinnamon
14.3
Mexican
10.1
Caesar
6.5
Barbecue
4.5
Coffee
3.8
Methodology: Flavours are sorted by Year over Year growth. Minimum 7 items with at least 3 item growth.
Base: 311 operators with menus Q to Q4-2015
Ranked by year over year growth (%)

5. maple flavour forecast Distinctive rich, sweet flavour
Skinny Half Rotisserie Chicken, served with a corn cobbette + spiked maple glaze
Harvester
flavour forecast
maple
Distinctive rich, sweet flavour
Adds complexity to proteins, particularly white meats
Complements root vegetables + squash

6. DESSERTS | flavour trends
Oreo
Added flavour to
27 menu items
Black Cherry
Trending flavour in
cakes + ice cream
Onion
Served with cheese
as jam or caramelised
Sweet
Buttermilk
57.1
Oreo
30.0
Chocolate Chip
20.6
Caramel
11.5
Fruity
Black Cherry
27.3
Coconut
17.2
Passion Fruit
16.7
Lime
11.4
Nutty
Peanut Butter
31.8
Misc.
Onion
85.7
Saffron
71.4
Italian
21.1
Brie
18.8
Carrot
14.7
Methodology: Flavours are sorted by Year over Year growth. Minimum 7 items with at least 3 item growth.
Base: 306 operators with menus Q to Q4-2015
Ranked by year over year growth (%)

7. saffron flavour forecast Known for its distinctive warm color
The Queens Arms Trifle with saffron cake, mead-poached pear, custard + hazelnuts
The Queens Arms (Somerset)
flavour forecast
saffron
Known for its distinctive warm color
Spicy, pungent, bitter flavour
Works well with double cream or custard

8. NON-ALC BEVERAGES | flavour trends
Tomato
Grew penetration 7%;
now on 87 menus
Kiwi
Paired with apples; now
on 85% more menus
Ginger
Nearly doubled the items
on beverage menus
Berries
Blueberry
34.4
Berry
25.0
Cranberry
19.7
Raspberry
16.8
Black Currant
15.4
Strawberry
15.1
Citrus
Lemon
49.7
Pineapple
36.8
Lime
35.3
Grapefruit
19.6
Orange
16.3
Fresh
Kiwi
85.7
Peach
51.1
Ginger
47.6
Cucumber
44.4
Tomato
40.3
Cherry
30.0
Carrot
25.8
Apple
23.4
Mango
22.6
Mint
21.6
Coconut
19.4
Pear
18.2
Banana
10.0
Passion Fruit
8.0
Elderflower
5.6
Misc.
Spicy
128.6
Pepper
77.8
Spiced
60.0
Almond
50.0
Bitter
39.5
Green Tea
29.0
Caramel
28.6
Peppermint
22.2
Sweet
22.0
Chai
17.4
Cream
7.0
Mocha
4.6
Espresso
2.8
Chocolate
2.4
Methodology: Flavours are sorted by Year over Year growth. Minimum 7 items with at least 3 item growth.
Base: 305 operators with menus Q to Q4-2015
Ranked by year over year growth (%)

9. spicy flavour forecast Bold addition to meal-replacement drinks
Spicy Grapefruit Crussh, cold-pressed juice with lemon, agave syrup, mint, turmeric + cayenne pepper
Crussh
flavour forecast
spicy
Bold addition to meal-replacement drinks
Popular in some ethnic-inspired beverages
Speeds up metabolism