Q1 2021

2021 Annual Outlook

The landscape of the foodservice industry continues to evolve and respond to huge changes in consumer behavior. The challenges of last year continue to inform new trends, or highlight which needs continue to persist.

Torani’s Annual Outlook Pourcast is a summary of our findings and recommendations in this area. Our goal is to help you best position your menus and offerings for a strong showing in 2021! Read on or click the button below to find out more...

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New-stalgia

The challenges of 2020 caused consumers to reminisce about simpler times while also longing for something new. Fresh interpretations of traditional favorites will be BIG this upcoming year. Nostalgic comfort foods such as French toast, cereal milk and candy bars are making a comeback, but in an entirely new format: beverages!

French Toast Cold Brew

Coconut Candy Bar Iced Latte

Creme Brulee Latte

Skinny S'Mores Latte

Waffle Latte

Culinary Tourism: Adventure at Home

Diverse drinks and flavors, especially Asian inspired beverages, have been on the rise lately - boba tea, for example, has seen 298% growth over the past 4 years.* As consumers are traveling less, the desire for adventure and novelty is stronger than ever. Internationally inspired beverages are a great way to create an exciting cultural experience for your customers.

_{* Datassential Non-Alcoholic Beverages Keynote, October 2018}

Mexican Chocolate Cold Brew Coffee

Ube Cold Foam Cold Brew

Lychee Bubble Milk Tea

Hawaiian POG Bubble Tea

Sea Salt Vanilla Cream Breve

Transparency in Your Menu

Menu transparency is poised to dominate in 2021. Consumers are looking for products made with real and authentic ingredients so they can feel confident about what they consume.

6 in 10 global consumers are interested in learning more about where there food/drinks come from.*
Clean label ingredient sales are projected to grow 6.75% annually, but the impact of COVID-19 on consumer purchasing patterns may push that growth even higher.**
78% of consumers said being familiar with ingredients in a product is important to them.***
91% of U.S. consumers believe food and beverage options with recognizable ingredients are healthier.****

Clean up your menu with Torani’s Puremade line - made with no artificial anything - so your consumers can enjoy amazing flavor without compromise!

_{*Innova Market Insights Consumer Survey 2020}
_{**“COVID-19’s Impact on How Consumers Perceive ‘Clean.’” Food Business News, 23 July 2020
***Ingredion’s 2019 Global Clean Label Consumer Study
****Innova Market Insights Consumer Insights 2018}

More than Alternatives

In 2020 consumers indicated that taste was among the top four reasons for using a plant-based alternative (along with health, diet variety and sustainability). Plant-based milks are no longer just “alternatives” to dairy – they’ve become part of the taste experience that can elevate the drink’s flavor profile.

Hemp milk offers a creamy texture, complements the espresso, and adds a “baked goods” note that increases complexity.
Almond milk adds a nuttiness that creates a smooth flavor profile and beautiful harmony with the coffee.
Oat milk has a smooth mouthfeel and pairs well with lighter-roasted fruity coffees.
Coconut milk pairs well with chocolate and coffee, especially darker roasts.
Soy milk is a great partner for chai and vanilla lattes. With a smooth mouthfeel it’s great for creating latte art.

Lavender Vanilla Iced Latte

Creamy Pistachio Latte

Rose Oat Milk Green Tea

Nitro Parfait

Putting the FUN in Functional

The functional wellness trend will continue into 2021, with people focusing on ways to boost their immunity and overall health.

6 out of 10 consumers are increasingly searching for food and drinks that support their immune health.*
1 in 3 say their concerns over immunity have increased over the last year.*

Torani’s Puremade Zero Sugar and Original Sugar Free Syrups make it easy to add menu offerings that are both FUN and health conscious – and as always, delicious!

_{*Innova Market Insights Consumer Survey 2020}

Afternoon Boost

We’re going to see an uptick in afternoon-specific beverages in 2021, designed to offer consumers a post-lunch pick-me-up by means of either refreshment, energy, or satiety.

Refreshment

Refreshment is the most common beverage need state,* and innovation with teas, lemonades and water-based beverages, continues to trail blaze in 2021. Once-simple beverages, like sweet tea, have taken on new life with added elements like carbonation, texture and layering.

Energy

Cold caffeinated beverages, such as cold brew, nitro and flavored energy drinks, provide a much-needed boost for consumers in the afternoon. These time-tested beverages continue to evolve and expand in popularity.

Satiety

The line between beverage and snack continues to blur with textural inclusions becoming more mainstream in 2021. Tapioca pearls in boba tea and toppers in cold coffee are two examples of how the beverage has turned into a “snackable” experience.

Textural inclusion ideas: