Lately, chocolate consumption in India has seen vital progress, with a large portion of shoppers embracing this indulgent deal with. Mintel analysis reveals that six in 10 Indians have consumed sweets prior to now three months by way of June 2023, with a notable proportion expressing curiosity in making an attempt new flavours. Regardless of this burgeoning curiosity, there stays untapped potential in flavour innovation inside India’s chocolate market. For instance, flavour innovation in sweets within the US is roughly 3.7 occasions greater than in India.
Right here, we delve into the alternatives for flavour innovation in chocolate confectionery, inspecting the enchantment of conventional Indian flavours, akin to mithai, and the emergence of fruity variations.
Leverage the curiosity in mithai flavours
Conventional Indian sweets, often known as mithai, maintain a particular place within the hearts of many Indians. Mintel analysis reveals that one-third of shoppers specific curiosity in mithai-flavoured sweets in comparison with worldwide dessert flavours, thus presenting a promising alternative for manufacturers to cater to native preferences.
By infusing sweets with flavours paying homage to beloved mithai akin to gulab jamun, rasgulla, and jalebi, manufacturers can supply a contemporary twist on conventional delicacies. Furthermore, the introduction of restricted version assortment packs impressed by mithai flavours can additional improve shopper engagement and pleasure.
It’s additionally important for manufacturers to recognise the varied preferences throughout completely different areas in India. Whereas flavours like gulab jamun might resonate extra with shoppers within the West, these within the East might favor rasgulla. Understanding and catering to those regional nuances can strengthen model enchantment and guarantee broader market penetration.Â
Moreover, drawing inspiration from native mithai shops which have efficiently built-in desi flavours into their choices can present invaluable insights for chocolate manufacturers searching for to faucet into regional tastes. As an illustration, native model Bombay Candy Store launched the Indie Bar, that includes layers of pepper caramel, coconut fluff, patissa/soan papdi (an area candy delicacy), and darkish chocolate. In keeping with the model’s web site, its cooks experimented with soan papdi and recognised its potential for inclusion in a chocolate bar.
Broaden providing of fruity variations
Fruity flavors are mainstream in India’s chocolate market, with 18% of product launches that includes fruity variations. Manufacturers can capitalise on this by introducing seasonal fruity variations, as seen in markets akin to Germany, the UK, and Japan.Â
Mango is rising as a very sought-after flavour. The current launch of Cadbury Dairy Milk’s tangy mango taste exemplifies this development, leveraging nostalgia and seasonal enchantment to captivate shoppers. A distinct segment section of experimental shoppers are additionally concerned with making an attempt flavours like apple, guava and pineapple – additional diversifying the chocolate taste panorama.
Manufacturers like YBC Nago Me Time Spice & Chocolate Apple & Cinnamon Chocolate (Japan) showcases unconventional fruity mixtures akin to apple and cinnamon to seize the curiosity of shoppers.
What we expect
The comparatively restricted variety of flavour launches in India in comparison with different markets presents a ripe alternative for each current and new manufacturers to determine themselves as flavour specialists. By embracing native tastes, exploring regional variations, and experimenting with novel flavour mixtures, they’ll cater to various shopper preferences and carve out a particular area of interest on this more and more aggressive chocolate panorama. There stays considerable potential for creativity and exploration within the realm of flavour innovation, and this may stay a key driver of progress and market differentiation.
