Aside from the positive impact on the planet– potentially preventing millions of tonnes of fruit waste– the cacaofruit opens up new categories after the pulp, juice, and powder of the cacaofruit are used. Upcoming drinks in the beverages segment are beers and one to watch for 2024 is the cacaofruit fruit wine made from 100% pure cacaofruit. Fermented beverages are expected to be a major segment for innovation in 2024.
The global cacaofruit expert Cabosse Naturals introduced a next generation food and drink category in 2019, made possible with a range of 100% pure cacaofruit ingredients, that are ‘good for me’, good for the planet and its communities.
Trend reports continue to claim cacaofruit as a trend
Like in 2023, the world’s most discarded fruit gets traction across the globe. Supermarket Whole Foods unveiled their top 10 anticipated Food Trends 2024 and added the whole cacao as a prominent trend, because the different parts of the cacaofruit, such as peel, pulp and juice, allows brands to create products with a unique and new flavor and taste.
The Mintel 2024 Global Food and Drinks Trends report shows that consumers are open to minimally processed food and drinks that help them increase their intake of fruits and vegetables. Its research also shows that consumers prefer to have more transparency around processing, which indicates that this movement will result in better-informed consumers of food and beverages in the upcoming two to five years.
The yearly global research by Barry Callebaut, the world’s leading chocolate manufacturer, among 11.475 consumers also shows that consumers are more concerned about the environment and their health and they seek more natural products and ingredients. Almost 7 out of 10 (65%) consumers prefer products that minimizes waste and uses upcycled ingredients.
The Specialty Food Associations (SFA) unveiled its 2024 specialty food trends, and highlighted that beverages will be a major segment for innovation next year, including tropical flavors and herbs.
Beers and wine part of cacaofruit trend
Already in 2023, the global cacaofruit expert Cabosse Naturals sees this trend happening. Compared to 2022, there’s an increase from both non-alcoholic drinks by 30% and alcoholic beverages by 70%. William Angleys, Cabosse Naturals’ Sales Director: “Pioneering brands have discovered the upcycled fruit. That’s why when looking at our pipeline and the trend reports, we expect for 2024 that the growth will continue and further grow by 135%.”
The demand for tasty, good for me, and good for the planet products has grown significantly in recent years.
Launches in 2023, include a non-alcoholic beer Cacao IPA, from Athletic Brewery (United States); the Cacoboa Wine and Pulpoca (seltzer) from Pulpa Mulpa (Switzerland); Kehrwieder Brewery (Germany) has an alcoholic beer It’s All Good Imperial Latin Gose, and a non alcoholic Alsternative; the Acan’s Mallow Tree, a cacaofruit sour ale, from North Antwerp Brewery (Belgium); the Talking Heads, a cacaofruit sour, from Frontaal Brewery x Friandries Chocolates (Belgium); and a cacaofruit Sour Ale Melting Pod, from Coedo Brewery and Dandelion Chocolate (Japan).
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Not just a taste maker, but also a sweetener substitute
In order to meet consumers’ needs, Cabosse Naturals recently launched a free-flowing, 100% pure cacaofruit powder, a new ingredient which can replace refined sugar in food manufacture – the first of its kind on the market. The cacaofruit powder enables consumers to experience a new taste and texture in confectionery and ice cream. Barry Callebaut’s trend report for 2024 shows that consumers are concerned about the amount of sugar they consume, 1 in 4 consumers(41%) are attempting to limit their sugar intake, while 1 in 10 people are completely avoiding sugar. At the same time, consumers hold a high value for natural and authentic ingredients, without any claims, and a simple ingredient list.
