Blooming botanicals | Insight | Macphie

We’re taking it back to nature as we explore the latest trend that is in full bloom across the food industry.

In a world where wellness is paramount, we’re increasingly looking to botanical ingredients to provide a taste that’s close to nature.

Gin-fluential

Botanical ingredients aren’t new. In fact plants and extracts have been popular as natural medicinals for centuries, so why now?

One theory is that the gin movement has made botanicals more familiar to consumers and these ingredients have started to spill over into other categories.

Florals and botanicals pair really well with fruits to add a subtle delicate note of difference in a range of applications including bakery products and desserts.

Flavour profiles

Hibiscus and orange blossom flavours have already been creeping into the market, but expect more from these profiles and others, including elderflower, lavender, rose and violet.

Chrysanthemum, cherry blossom, orange blossom and jasmine flavours have made their way into products across a number of categories.

Floral flavour use in food and beverage applications has grown 88% over the last year, according to Mintel, as consumers’ desire for natural flavours has fuelled the use of botanicals.

Inspiration

As the influential millennial generation continues to travel much more than their predecessors, they are continuing to look to other parts of the world for exciting flavours.

With the growing popularity of Asian flavours across Europe, we’re seeing more floral flavours being used in innovative ways.

Visual

We’re now living in a digital age where if you haven’t posted a photo of your plate at your latest visit to a great venue, will people believe that you even went?

Sixty-nine per cent of millennials admitted taking a photo or video of their food before tucking in.

Strong visuals add to the multi-sensory experience and it is a trend that is going to grow.

So what better way to please followers than to sprinkle flower petals on your cupcakes or add vibrant floral flavours and colours to your cakes?

Rose & lemon cupcakes

Genoese mix made using standard recipe for the base, with added lemon flavouring. Finished with vanilla frosting with added rose flavour and a dash of pink colour, decorated with edible rose petals

Macphie Genoese mix | Macphie rainbow vanilla frosting

Lemon & lavender cupcakes

Genoese mix made using standard recipe for the base, with added lemon flavour. Finished with vanilla frosting with added purple colour and violet flavour, a piping of cream and a lavender petal

Macphie Genoese mix | Macphie rainbow vanilla frosting

Orange blossom & chocolate cupcakes

Chocolate Genoese mix using standard recipe for the base. Finished with vanilla frosting with added orange colour and orange blossom flavour, dusted with orange dust and decorated with fresh oranges

Macphie chocolate Genoese mix | Macphie rainbow vanilla frosting

Elderflower & lemon cupcakes

Genoese mix made using standard recipe for the base with added lemon flavouring. Finished with vanilla frosting with added elderflower flavour, decorated with elderflowers and candied lemon slices

Macphie Genoese mix | Macphie rainbow vanilla frosting