Have you been checking new product launches recently? Notice anything different? According to a recent flavor report from Geneva, Ill.-based FONA International, the use of honey as a sweetener is on the rise. Last year, 10,311 products using honey were rolled out globally.
In North America, 1,695 products were introduced, including Bonté Oey & Cranberry Flavored Lozenges, Ambrosial Authentic Mediterranean Basil Honey Almond Ancient Grains Clusters and Droga Chocolates Money on Honey Wildflower Honey Caramels in Dark Chocolate Sprinkled with Fleur de Sel.
The National Honey Board, which supports honey education, also pointed to several snack bars, including Curate's Harmonious Blend bar, which has Marcona almonds, quinoa apricots, lemon and honey. ReGrained's "Eat Beer" bars, which contain grains "spent" during the brewing process, also contain honey.
The Energy/Cereal/Snack Bars category proved to be popular place for honey, as it was the second leading segment for new product launches (2010-2016) in North America, bested only by cold cereals. Globally, the snacks/cereal/energy bars category comprises 9 percent of all new product launches from 2010 to 2016.
As the report details, honey is a truly global flavor that “adds a bit of sweet to everything from savory entrees to indulgent desserts.”
The thick, sweet liquid, which is made by bees from flower nectar, differs in color and flavor depending on the nectar source. In general, the darker the color the stronger the flavor.
Given that there are hundreds of different honeys throughout the world, the varieties are nearly endless. Typically, honeys are named after the nectar source, the most popular varieties being clover, orange blossom and sage, the FONA report reveals.
