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Savory ice cream: an innovation expanding the industry’s horizon
Alimentos SAS • Feb 16, 2022
The first type of ice cream hailed from Northern China 4,000 years ago. It was snow mixed with fruit juice, honey, and aromatic spices (The Nibble Blog, 2016). Over time, ice cream has become a beloved dessert, but it can also be a meal nowadays. Find out how savory ice cream is expanding the horizons of the dairy industry.
When thinking about frozen desserts, the mind usually goes to real ice cream made with dairy, frozen fruit popsicles, sorbetto, or even your favorite milkshake flavors.
However, this segment is no stranger to innovations stemming from consumer preferences. For example, manufacturers have listened to the desire for healthier and functional foods and created products like premium or natural ice cream (Fortune Business Insights, 2021).
Tending to what consumers like has put savory ice cream into the mainstream. According to Persistence Market Research (2021), savory dairy products are prominent in the food and beverage industry. Such a privileged spot has to do with people’s changing food habits and a new interest in adventurous flavors. The firm reports garlic, chipotle cheddar, black pepper, and jalapeño are among the top flavors in savory dairy products.
Savory ice cream 101
Essentially, savory ice cream deviates from sweet popular ice cream flavors. Instead, it sports salty, spiced, or even alcoholic content. Some products take inspiration from meat, like Ben & Jerry's 'Phish & Chips' or Peking’s Duck and Fried Chicken & Waffles. Others make cheese their centerpiece. This is the case for Salt & Straw’s pear and blue cheese ice cream (McQuarrie, 2019. Stephens, 2018).
Furthermore, this type of ice cream can use spices and herbs like sriracha or rosemary to create a unique flavor. Inspiration also comes from umami flavors, vegetables, and popular snacks. For instance, Coolhaus offers pizza ice cream –a mascarpone cheese base, with flecks of sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, olive oil, and salt (McQuarrie, 2019. Stephens, 2018).
Additionally, pairing sweet and savory ingredients is a prominent trend in this type of ice cream. Frankie & Jo’s serves Gingered Golden Milk ice cream. This item has turmeric root, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and black pepper. In turn, Azúcar Ice Cream mixes rosemary olive oil into sweet ice cream (Symrise, 2020).
A brief history
Even though their sweet sibling is what comes to mind, savory scoops have existed for centuries. Cheese ice cream was popular during the 18th and 19th centuries. There are recipes for cucumber, spinach, and wine ice creams in Agnes B Marshall’s 1885 staple classic ‘The Book Of Ices’ (Sukhadwala, 2011).
Recently, molecular gastronomy players revived this type of ice cream. Notably, Chef Heston Blumenthal created his admired smoked bacon and egg, and sardines on toast ice creams (Sukhadwala, 2011).
Broadening horizons
Growing competition in the industry has pushed manufacturers to broaden their customer base. Mordor Intelligence (2022) reports that savory flavors are alluring to Americans. As a result, producers are investing in research and collaborations to create savory ice cream options that set them apart.
Specifically, savory treats exploit the flavor globalization trend that is becoming mainstream because of Millennial and Generation Z consumers. Because of them, international ingredients are catching attention as intriguing, balanced alternatives to sweet ones (Symrise, 2020).
As evidenced, pushing the envelope is not uncommon in the dairy industry. For example, yogurt producers are using spices, herbs, and flowers to create interesting options (Williams & Marshall Strategy, 2022). Elsewhere, dairy manufacturers are catering to health-driven consumers by including fruit purees in their products as (Allied Market Research, 2021; Grand View Research, 2020; Persistence Market Research, 2017):
- Taste and color enhancers.
- Nutrient sources.
- Natural sweeteners.
Innovation is paramount to keep consumers interested and satisfied. For dairy industry players, savory ice cream is one of many bets putting their segment at the forefront.
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