Spicy surprises

Spices are surging in product development, led by cayenne pepper, up 47% in global product launches last year, according to Innova Market Insights, Arnhem, The Netherlands. Other trending spices include caraway (up 40%), saffron (up 31%), horseradish (up 29%) and turmeric (up 21%). Products launched last year containing chili grew 34% in North America, 55% in Latin America, 35% in Australia and 12% in West Europe.

“There are so many chilies; I don’t know how many we’ve identified,” said Lu Ann Williams, director of innovation at Innova Market Insights. “That’s something that’s captured everybody’s imagination.”

Peppers and spices aren’t limited to sauces and seasonings. Global soft drinks containing spices grew 20% in 2015 over the prior year. Flavored bottled water containing spices rose 84%, while oils with spices increased 62%, fats and spreads with spices grew 59%, gum with spices was up 38%, and chocolate with spices climbed 37%. Recent global launches featuring spices include The Chaat Co. Savory Yogurt Snack featuring mango chili yogurt and a crunchy turmeric spiced lentil puff topping (United States), Lurpak Infusions Butter with Chili and Lime (United Kingdom), and Belly Real Dulce De Leche Ice Cream with Spiced Chocolate (Canada).