What Is the Playful Sensory Confection Trend: Fun Becomes a Measure of Execution The Playful Sensory Confection trend reflects a broader recalibration in how consumers evaluate indulgent foods: fun is no longer novelty for novelty’s sake, but a proxy for quality execution . In categories like marshmallows—long associated with simplicity and nostalgia—consumers are now demanding experiences that are playful, interactive, and multisensory without sacrificing reliability or tast

What is the Experiential Functional Snack (EFS) Imperative  Trend This trend signals a market shift where successful bakery and snack products must simultaneously deliver maximal sensory pleasure and a compelling, functional health justification. The EFS is a new benchmark, forcing innovation to balance high-impact flavor and texture with strong nutritional claims like high protein or fiber. This mandate fundamentally redefines the contract between the consumer and the produc

What is the Flavor Frontier Trend: Sensory Exploration Meets Culinary Creativity As America’s kitchens evolve into creative playgrounds, Nestlé USA’s 2026 trend forecast reveals how flavor, texture, and ritual are being reimagined. From “swangy” spice blends to multi-layered coffee rituals, consumers are making food an act of self-expression—balancing comfort, creativity, and bold sensory curiosity. Nuanced Heat:  The obsession with spice matures from “swicy” (sweet + spicy)

What is the Sensory Scorecard: Texture's Triumph Over Taste Trend This trend highlights the shift in consumer desire from simple flavor satisfaction to a complex, multi-sensory mouthfeel that drives engagement and perceived quality in baked goods and snacks. Mouthfeel as the Primary Driver:  Texture is no longer a secondary attribute; it is the leading cue for freshness, quality, and novelty. Consumers are actively seeking experiences like the perfect shatter  of a cracker, t

What Is the “Gourmand Beauty” Trend? India’s beauty industry is indulging its sweet tooth — not through confections, but through cosmetics. The “gourmand” beauty trend , defined by dessert- and beverage-inspired fragrances, has carved a delicious niche in India’s $16 billion personal care market. From vanilla melts and caramel popcorn to masala chai and espresso , beauty brands are transforming the sensory pleasure of food into emotional self-care. Leading the charge are Plum

What Is the “Fragrance Vibe” Trend? The “Fragrance Vibe” trend redefines how consumers experience scent—from a luxury possession to a dynamic form of emotional self-expression . Fascent, a Paris-based brand founded by fragrance veterans Fanny Descamps  and Edwina Réthoré , is pioneering this movement by making niche perfumery accessible, playful, and deeply personal . Fragrance as personality, not prestige:  Fascent rejects the idea of one “signature scent.” Its six fragrance

What is the "Olfactory Restriction" Trend:  This trend, also known as "scent snacking," is the rapidly growing practice of using sweet, food-scented (gourmand) perfumes as a psychological tool to curb cravings for actual desserts. It represents a new frontier in diet culture, where the sensory experience of smelling food is used to replace the physical act of eating it. The Illusion of Indulgence:  The trend is built on a powerful psychological loop. The scent of vanilla, car

What is the “Beauty à la Carte” Trend: When Skincare Smells Like Dessert The Rise of Food-Scented Beauty From chai lip balms to cake body washes and mango moisturizers, beauty is borrowing from the kitchen.These scents blur the boundary between skincare and craving, turning routine into ritual and consumption into comfort. The Return of Sensory Self-Care Beauty once promised transformation — glow, correction, perfection.Now it promises tenderness. Products smell like warmth,

What is the "Scent Snacking" Trend: Defining the Use of Gourmand Perfumes as a Diet Tool From Fragrance to Food Replacement  "Scent...

What is the ‘Mintel 2026 Global Food Predictions’ Trend: Resilience, reinvention, and re-sensory design in the decade ahead From...

What is the ‘2026 Global Food & Drink Predictions’ Trend: Building resilience through diversity, heritage, and sensory design Beyond...

What Is the Trend: The Rise of Gourmand Body Care The edible-scent takeover: Personal-care products that smell like baked goods — from...

What is the “Wildly Inventive Flavors” Trend?Flavor Without Limits: When Curiosity Drives the Culinary Frontier Innovation meets...

What is the Wine & Ice Cream Bar Trend? Wine and ice cream bars blend artisanal frozen desserts with curated wine selections, creating...

What Is the "Milk-Infused Beauty" Trend? The "Milk-Infused Beauty" trend reflects the growing dominance of products featuring milky,...

What is the Automotive Perfume Trend? This trend involves car companies extending their brand into the personal fragrance market. Diverse...

What is the "Extra Crispy Sparkling Water" Trend? This trend, originating in Japan and now making its way to the U.S. via brands like...

What is the Boozy Perfume Trend? The boozy perfume trend refers to the rising popularity of fragrances that mimic the notes of alcohol —...

What is the 'Flavor-First' Innovation Trend? This trend is a strategic approach in the global bakery and snacks market where flavor is...

Why It’s Trending: Viral Culture Meets Culinary Craze TikTok-Triggered Sensation A single viral video featuring the decadent "Dubai...