dsm-firmenich announced ‘Peach+’ as the 12th annual Flavor of the Year for 2024. Peach+ was inspired by PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz, the 2024 Color of the Year from color authority and provider of professional color language standards for the design community, PANTONE. The selections were based on emerging signals in the cultural and consumer landscape where trends in kindness, community, goodness, and comfort have all been identified as having increasing relevancy. For more than 20 years, both companies have observed many of the same trend sources, drawing inspiration from a wide variety of influences, including culinary, fashion, hair and beauty, packaging and multimedia design, home decor and interior design, architecture and art.
With the Peach+ flavor, dsm-firmenich invites manufacturers to innovate, go beyond the traditional juicy sweet aspects to also consider softer, smoother, lighter, more refreshing, textural elements. “Now in its 12th year, the announcement of the ‘Flavor of the Year’ is an eagerly anticipated event,” said Maurizio Clementi, EVP for Taste, Taste, Texture & Health at dsm-firmenich. “The delicate and natural qualities of Peach+ call for diverse applications across multiple food and beverage industries, and we are excited to see the innovations of our clients upon receiving this news.”
The peach is one of the oldest cultivated fruits in the world, with a 4,000-year-old history that began in China and continues to this day. China is the world leader in peach production and exportation, with over 400 varieties, dms-firmenich detailed. “Our research reveals that peach has many multifaceted meanings,” said Jeffrey Richard Schmoyer, VP of Human Insights for Taste, Texture & Health at dsm-firmenich. “And peach is incredibly emotional. While the peach has a long history, it also has an innovative future.” According to Emotions 360™, a proprietary dsm-firmenich consumer study that measures consumer emotions associated with ingredients, the peach is somewhat unique in that it has many innate qualities that contrast, such as being both indulgent and pampering, but also refreshing and revitalizing, and youthful, but nostalgic.
“Flavor of the Year showcases emerging trends in flavor through proactive sensory experiences and creations, and completes its mission year after year, which is to empower our customers to be leaders in global trends,” says Mikel Cirkus, Global Creative Director for Taste, Texture & Health at dsm-firmenich.
Photo: dsm-firmenich
