Fall is right around the corner and along with cool mornings and cozy sweaters comes this year’s newest fall flavours. Not a pumpkin spice fan? Not to worry, as this year’s top picks include something delicious for everyone.
As you’ve probably noticed, many restaurants and retailers are signalling the end of summer, introducing their fall lineups closer to Labour Day than to Thanksgiving.
Is this an attempt to get ahead of the competition by getting a jump on fall sales? Likely. “We usually launch [fall products] in October. But this year, for the first time, we are bringing them out in September,” says Lafeea Watson, spokeswoman for Krispy Kreme.
So, fall flavours are arriving earlier than usual. But what exactly will be in vogue this autumn, and what should restaurant operators consider adding to their menus?
Here are some of the top tastes we expect to start seeing shortly.
Apples
This year’s fall line-up starts with a seasonal fan favourite: apples. With their extended growing season (August to October in Ontario) and large number of varieties, they lend themselves perfectly to inspired recipes all season long, from soups to desserts. While we haven’t seen any apple-inspired dishes hitting menus just yet, some experts are touting it as pumpkin’s top competition.
Pumpkin
Got a sweet tooth? Of course, pumpkin will still hold down a large section of the market this fall season. Some companies like Krispy Kreme are getting a headstart with their fall-themed items, while Starbucks has released its pumpkin spice latte pumpkin cream cold brew long before the start of fall. Even Goldfish is getting in on this trend, partnering with Dunkin’ Donuts to offer pumpkin spice grahams for the season.
Salted maple
Next up is salted maple, which we’ve seen featured in everything from donuts to lattes to popcorn. This is an updated take on a Canadian classic, with maple and bacon creating a very popular combination in recent years. It’s even been adopted by restaurants, with fast-food chains like Tim Hortons and Wendy’s recently adding new, maple-inspired items to their breakfast menus.
Savoury + sweet
Not strictly one flavour, the savoury-and-sweet combination itself is a fun fall trend, marrying tastes like chocolate and sea salt, Nutella and bacon, and other pairings. Pretzel is a top ingredient in this mix, pairing nicely with a few of the aforementioned flavours. A FlavorTrends 2022 Report shows that 69 per cent of participants are interested in pretzel-flavoured desserts, so the demand is definitely there. More items like the McDonald’s Chocolately Pretzel McFlurry are sure to hit menus near you this fall.
Butter
While this one may seem a little bizarre, butter is getting a lot of attention this season. With a nostalgic feel and a nod to comfort food, butter is a notable top fall pick, even with its continued rising costs. From herbed and spiced butters to using alternative nuts like pistachio and macadamia, butter of all kinds is making its mark.
Customers want surprise
These trends are a great indication of where customers’ palates are leaning.
“While consumers turn to familiar favourites, this year we will see an increased hunger for new experiences and thrilling new flavours. We will see consumers seeking an element of surprise from traditional formats, [and] comfort brands can appeal to this desire for novelty by pairing emerging and up-and-coming flavours with old classics,” says Soumya Nair, global consumer research director at Kerry.
This fall is shaping to up to be a tasty season, featuring updated inspiration on some comforting classics.
