Baking & Snack - June 2021 - 42

SWEET GOODS & PASTRY
with different trends, but for the most part, the signature
flavors that our dough methods produce are what keep
our customers coming back. "
James Skinner Baking's most popular product is its
traditional cheese Danish, Mr. Skinner noted, due to its
unique dough flavors pairing well with their sweetened
Neufchatel cheese blend.
" The product isn't one-dimensional and doesn't rely
purely on sweetness like many other sweet goods, " Mr.
Skinner said. " The taste balance allows the consumer to
appreciate all the flavor dynamics that go into the product.
The aroma when you open the package, the textures
you experience while eating it and the unique flavors
that arise from our dough methods create a multi-faceted
eating experience. "
It is an experience that consumers are familiar with because
it has been a comfort to them consistently in the past,
and that comes with a certain nostalgic expectation that
consumers may have for the products they are buying.
" There is a subtle trend toward nostalgia, " Ms. Moré
said. " During the past months of cooking more at home,
products such as pizza dough or take-and-bake bread
have become trendy again. "
Because of this, new products are often nodding their
head toward those that were warmly welcomed in the
past. James Skinner Baking's next product pays homage
to the classic fruit and cheese sweet roll.
" Over the years as we've observed trends, we consistently
Fresh takes on
traditional treats
keep consumers
comfortable
while introducing
them to
innovation.
Europastry USA
see nostalgic products indexing, " Mr. Skinner said. " Sweet
rolls are known for their simple and sweet flavors, so we
opted to go with traditional yeasty sweet dough instead of
a Danish dough. Each roll has a generous dollop of either
apple, strawberry or cheese fillings to please every member
of the household. We finish everything with a sweet white
icing that adds just the right amount of sweetness. "
Tradition and indulgence do not have to clash when it
comes to flavor choices. Market insights show that consumers
are simply wanting the comfort of both familiar
flavors and those that satiate their craving for richness.
Innova data showed that from 2014 to 2019, the fastgrowing
flavors in the market reflected the importance
of tradition to consumers with buttermilk and churro
flavors commonly associated with traditional American
and Hispanic cuisines up 52%. At the same time, more
mainstream flavors showed the best growth from premium
and indulgent flavors like caramel and fudge.
This may be why chocolate stood at the head of consumer
flavor choice from 2015 to 2019 in cakes and cookies, being
both a traditional and indulgent flavor simultaneously.
" The market and its consumers still want to try new
things, " Ms. Moré said. " They are open to indulgences
and innovation, though the classics - brioche, Dots
and croissants - are always guaranteed success. We see
concepts such as local products, retail-ready and highquality
as trending right now. Consumers are seeking
out surprising, top-quality products, and they will be
forgiving if a product meets these requirements. This is
a fascinating field, where there is still lots to be done. "
The engine of innovation
It seems the best technique for enhancing innovation
within a company is simply by making it a priority.
" First and foremost, it is all about paying attention to
what's happening in people's lives and the world around
them, " Ms. Patterson-Smith said. " When we do that,
we're able to capture insights that lead to ideas and then
translate those ideas into products that are meaningful,
relevant and fit into our consumers' lives. "
Innovation does not imply hopping on a trend every
time a new ingredient or package size becomes popular.
42 Baking & Snack June 2021 / www.bakingbusiness.com
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Baking & Snack - June 2021

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