CONTACT

INDULGENCE

Challenges of the food industry

In the world of indulgence, chocolate is a growing core element. Manufacturers are aware of the demand for exceptional sensory experiences, continually exploring new flavor and texture combinations while using chocolate as the indulgent core in their creations. This approach aligns with the quest for culinary pleasure and also with the post-pandemic context, where indulgence becomes a refuge to address current concerns. 

Indulgence on the rise in Europe

In the graph below, consumers surveyed stated that it is easier to justify the consumption of indulgent products after the pandemic, especially young people.

This may be due to several factors:

In times of stress or uncertainty, consumers often turn to comfort foods to elevate their mood.

The most indulgent products offer a sensory experience of pleasure, through taste, texture, visual appeal or format.

In the age of social networks, where recipes, dishes and new market launches are shared daily, the most indulgent products often go viral, causing an increase in their demand. 

Manufacturers are constantly developing new products and variations of indulgent products to meet changing consumer demands, which broadens the scope and availability of these products in the marketplace.

In today's hectic, fast-paced society, consumers seek reward and solace in ways that allow them to unwind and recharge.

Source: Mintel GNPD, A year of innovation in sugar confectionery, 2024.

What does the consumer value in a forgiving product?

Consumers are now looking for products that provide new and innovative experiences, whether through texture, flavor or even a different format, as these are elements that can make a difference in the consumer experience.

TASTE

As for flavor, it is clear that it is a very important point when we want to provide an indulgent experience to the consumer, highlighting the growth of less common flavors despite the success of traditional flavors.

It should be noted that premium options are positioned as a great opportunity for brands, as consumers associate these options with quality flavors that guarantee product indulgence.

TEXTURE

Texture is a characteristic that has an intimate relationship with the consumer's sensory experience and its relevance is especially highlighted in the confectionery sector, the closest to indulgence.

Brands can choose to diversify their textures and adapt them to both the moment of consumption and the product itself, as consumers seek more personalized experiences.

FORMATS

Consumers want brands to innovate and look for other ways to develop their formats, highlighting new ways of interacting with products in different sectors.

Brands can innovate in different ways. For example, in confectionery, fruit can be used in the center of different formats, such as freeze-dried fruit coated in chocolate, which is a crunchy and tasty snack.

Permissible Indulgence

As consumers seek a balance between enjoyment and care for their health and well-being, there is a growing demand for "guilt-free" products. 

Manufacturers of indulgent products such as chocolate can take this opportunity to convert the pleasure of "snacking" to a healthier, more functional snack by highlighting the benefits of ingredients such as seeds, protein, prebiotics or other functional ingredients, or by highlighting claims focused on low sugar or saturated fat content.

Innovative and forgiving solutions

Herza

Herza develops chocolates in different shapes, colors and formulations to create new specialties and add a special touch to your products. They are also the inventors of the first chocolate muesli on the market and are constantly adapting to different market trends to guarantee the best service.

Suwelack Dairy

Suwelack addresses several categories, but its dairy line combines the unique taste of fresh products with the advantages and convenience of powder. This translates into indulgent solutions made with premium quality natural ingredients that feature long shelf life, exceptional taste and are also easy to process.

HLR Praline

HLR is a manufacturer of natural sweet ingredients, with more than 30 years of experience, focused on the ice cream, pastry and cookie sector.
In its production model it is important to control the raw materials, coming from organic agriculture, creating mixtures with fruit flavors and using caramelization.

CSM Ingredients

CSM are developers of innovative ingredients and solutions for bakers, confectioners and food professionals around the world. Their methodology prioritizes innovation and they seek to respond to growing market trends by presenting a range of natural ingredients with added value.

Featured ingredients and solutions

Double Chips combine the highlights of muesli and ice cream in a delicious two-tone product.
They also have a range of Dark Chocolate Micro Drops, very striking and versatile for baking, with a delicious flavor and the possibility of resisting baking.

Caramilk® consists of a variety of caramelized milks that will help you to achieve the desired profile, thanks to their different levels of caramelization intensity, allowing experimentation with different flavor and color profiles. It is ideal for chocolates or fillings in which it is important to maintain a low humidity that guarantees the stability of the product. In addition, it is very easy to use.

Its range of caramelized products is composed of cocoa nibs, nuts, dried fruits, candies and seeds, ideal for decoration, inclusion, flavoring and texturizing applications. In addition, they can be used in a wide variety of formats ranging from chocolates and ice cream to cookies, bakery, confectionery and specialized nutrition, making them very versatile.

CSM Ingredients Croquant SpeculoosCSM offers an indulgent category of croquants made from a fatty crepe filling that provides a crunchy texture. It is usually applied on top of a layer of sponge cake and then coated and spread directly on the product where it is to be applied. Within this range, we highlight two trendy flavors: speculoos croquant and pistachio croquant.

Thinking of developing a new indulgent product that stands out in the market?

If you are looking for innovative solutions that meet the needs of a health-conscious consumer, don't hesitate to contact us!

CONTACT

After 50 years working in the food industry, at Trades, we use our experience to help our customers develop innovative products, meeting the needs of an increasingly health-conscious consumer.

About trades

ingredients

HEALTH

services

Blog

contact