Speciality-Food-Magazine-JanuaryFebruary2025

and retailers anecdotally say they’ve seen a rise in sales of both at-home and in-store hot chocolate purchases. Tap into this trend, Bidfood says, by investing in super luxury products, and offering customisation using flavoured syrups, gourmet artisan marshmallows and other toppings. Also consider expanding your range of single origin hot chocolates. 7 TEA The popularity of functional products should not be underestimated. More of us are trying to squeeze every bit of goodness out of what we’re consuming. Tea has become an easy way to bump up our nutrition, and varieties infused with vitamins, minerals and health or wellbeing- boosting additions are booming. Holland & Barrett’s 2025 trends report reveals the functional tea market could be worth a whopping £12.2 billion by 2032. The health store says the market is being driven towards function, coupled with exciting flavour profiles, backed by modern science. “The audience are also bringing coffee shop culture to tea drinking, “We’re seeing a growing trend of shoppers treating themselves to small indulgences that feel both luxurious and justifiable,” agrees Imogen Smith of Flower &White. “Products that balance indulgence with quality ingredients or align with values like sustainability or health- consciousness, are becoming the go-to choice for consumers looking to make their everydaymoments a little bit more special.” Treats coming in under 100 calories per serving continue to gain popularity Imogen adds, as are options that create a sense of comfort and joy. “There’s a clear shift towards mindful indulgence –where the treat not only satisfies, but also resonates with their personal values, fromethical sourcing to reduced waste.” Mandy Saven fromStylus thinks ‘little treat’ culture will thrive in 2025, saying it’s “anchored in desire for flavour and ingredient exploration”. Treats to consider include premium single serve cakes, baked goods andminiature chocolate bars – but also hot drinks. Hot chocolate is especially being championed as ‘one to watch’ in 2025. Bidfood’s trends report revealed 38% of those asked considered hot chocolate as a cost- effective way to indulge, while cafes specialityfoodmagazine.com 17 meaning they place more emphasis on it also being an experience and an activity in itself. Another development is the rise again in popularity of loose-leaf tea.” Whole Foods Market is seeing growth in tea-flavoured products (such as chai and Earl Grey) alongside a demand for new steeping formats, including tea strips, cold- brew bags and powders. 8 SUSTAINABLE According to Euromonitor more than 60% of consumers say they’re trying to adopt more planet positive habits, while FMCG Gurus says 32% of consumers want to avoid ingredients harmful to the environment. Brands are increasingly adopting more sustainable practices in response, they say, looking more closely at ethical sourcing, mitigating carbon footprint, and championing social and environmental causes. “Spending on sustainable products remains a conscious decision based on personal values,” says Inga Klebanskaja, senior research consultant at Euromonitor. “But consumers also pay close attention to the key benefits these products deliver. Sustainability claims require tangible evidence.” The trend, she continues, “Challenges businesses to create the right claims on the right products for the right audience. Sustainability is no longer brand-enhancing, but a prerequisite for innovation that drives growth.” 9 INTERNATIONAL SNACKING It’s not just mealtimes consumers want to pep up with global flavours – they’re looking for something different in the snacking aisle as well. Whole Foods Market says this sector of retail is a “perfect place for disruption” with emerging British and established international brands taking on salty snacks like popcorn and crisps, giving them a twist to create “fusion foods that have mass appeal”. “On packaging brands can tell their snack story by sharing their cultural roots and nostalgic childhood food memories.” The retailer points to interesting options including mango sticky rice chips, and chilli crunch oil edamame and nut mix. 10 ‘CLEAN’ LABELS UPFs (ultra processed foods) were a hot topic in 2024, with The Tape Agency saying the conversation is largely being fuelled by Gen Z and social media who are “increasingly concerned” about what’s going into their food and drink. They want natural, organic and minimally processed products, the agency adds. “2025 will see consumers move away from buying food with additives to cooking more with natural ingredients, in addition to eating more seasonal vegetables and only eating meat and fish on weekends or special occasions,” agrees chef Theo Randall. 11 PROTEIN The protein trend will be around for a long while yet with consumers valuing it as an addition to a catalogue of foods and drinks. Holland & Barrett believes in 2025 protein will grow further in the wellbeing space (outside of its traditional place for the bodybuilding market) being used as an ingredient that promotes ‘beauty fromwithin’ in products such as snacking bars and bone broths. There’s an emphasis on ramping up protein consumption at mealtimes and in snacking, adds Whole Foods Market. “Recipes incorporating cottage cheese may have kick-started customers’ desires to seek out protein in whole food sources, with consumers now prioritising animal protein.” Shoppers, the retailer continues, are looking for blends of muscle meat such as ground beef, combined with offal to gain its nutritional benefits without having to learn how to prepare liver, kidney or heart. Organ meats are being touted as a superfood, providing significant protein, vitamins and minerals, leading shoppers to seek meat blends that combine traditional muscle meat like ground beef with organ meats and making it easier to enjoy the nutritional benefits without having to learn how to prepare liver, kidney or heart. 12 NIGHTS IN The ‘Big Night In’ trend gained popularity in 2024 as more of us decided we preferred entertaining at home, rather than incurring the expense of eating out. A recent OnePoll survey found 38% of participants favoured small socials at home. Around 35% said it was because of the cost-of- living crisis, 48% liked the intimate atmosphere they could create, and 58% liked the fact their home was quieter, so they could hold more meaningful conversations. The average adult hosted two house parties in 2024, attending three or more at others’ homes, and half of those polled would like to go to more parties. The crux is this – party snacks, drinks and meal solutions are key in fine food retail as we get stuck into 2025. 13 FIBRE Food and drink with added health benefits really are stealing the show in the industry right now. And fibre is king, says Bidfood, which reveals in its 2025 trends report that 73% of those asked said they knew it was good for their gut health, inspiring them to include more whole foods in their diets. Now’s the time, the wholesaler says, to elevate recipes and formulations to include added fruit and vegetables, pulses, grains and whole cereals in response. For more info on how you can be featured, contact... louise.barnes@artichokehq.com 01206 508629 Speciality Food brings you The Trendsetter edition This special issue will reveal the very latest ‘on the pulse’ trends across multiple categories, featuring insight, inspiration, and the products to watch. Coming in May 2025