Elevated ketchup, global barbecue, and ranch reimagined... Whole Foods reveals summer condiment trends
According to Mintel data, sales for the condiments, marinades, and dressings category will hit $2.9bn by 2024 growing more than 5% since 2020.
“Customers are not afraid to experiment with condiments to level up familiar comfort foods or recreate a favorite restaurant dish. They are also trading out condiment-aisle classics for more elevated versions, and we expect this to continue as we head into summer,” said Rachel Bukowski, senior team leader of R&D for exclusive brands at Whole Foods Market.
“Going forward, we expect to see the continued innovation in condiments for special diets like vegan, keto-friendly, low sugar and low-sodium options, as well as globally inspired condiments with distinct cultural stories.”
Hot chili summer
Consumers are diversifying their chili flavors with new sauces and condiments using ancho, árbol, puya, cayenne and other hot peppper varieties. Some popular products featuring different types of chilis and spice levels include: Momofuku Chili Crunch; Bitchin' Sauce Cilantro Chili; Tajín Clásico Seasoning; Sir Kensington’s Chili Lime Crema Everything Sauce; Omsom Thai Krapow (coming this Summer 2022), noted Whole Foods.
"These chilis are spicing up sauces, pastes, oils and even honey. Crank up the heat and add some zest to grilled meats, salads, fruits and even ice creams," wrote Whole Foods Market's Trends Council.
Elevated ketchup and mustard
"The most iconic red-and-yellow duo in the condiment game has come a long way from squeeze packets in cafeterias and drive-throughs. New ketchups and mustards push boundaries with fruit-and-veggie add-ins and cuisine-specific flavor profiles like curry and saffron," said Whole Foods, calling out products such as Maille x Mike's Hot Honey Special Edition Hot Honey Dijon Mustard; Brooklyn Delhi Curry Ketchup, Curry Mustard; Acid League California Ketchup with Saffron and Living ACV, Hot Deli Mustard with ACV; True Made Foods Veggie Ketchup, Bavarian-Style Mustard as examples of the trend.
Fermented flavors
Fermented foods in condiment form such as kimchi and miso are also gaining popularity, according to Whole Foods' trends report.
"These days, fermented foods are an unstoppable force charging through aisle after aisle with a full head of steam. Condiments are no exception. We’re seeing tangy fermented ingredients adding flair to vinaigrettes, hot sauces, honeys and mayos. With flavor boosts like miso, kimchi and fermented garlic, these products exponentially expand the flavor possibilities of every summer soirée," the retailer stated, highlighting a variety of products featuring fermented flavors and foods including: Lucky Foods Seoul Kimchi Mayo; Cleveland Kitchen Miso Jalapeño Fermented Dressing & Marinade, Garlic Italian Fermented Dressing & Marinade, Veggie Caesar Fermented Dressing & Marinade; California Olive Ranch Carrot Miso Vinaigrette; Firefly Kitchens Firefly Kimchi Hot Sauce, Firefly Cortido Salt, Firefly Kimchi Salt; Ninja Squirrel Coconut Sriracha Hot Sauce
Ranch in new forms
Ranch has evolved from a pantry staple into new reimagined forms with bolder flavors and plant-based variations, added Whole Foods in its report.
"Ranch is one of those condiments that inspires cult-like devotion," said Whole Foods. Some reimagined ranch products include, Primal Kitchen Vegan Ranch, Ranch Dip; Tessemae’s Organic Habanero Ranch, Organic Pantry Buffalo Ranch; Mill It Plant Based Classic Ranch Dressing; 365 by Whole Foods Market Vegan Ranch, Spicy Ranch; Acid League Oatmilk Ranch Prebiotic Vinaigrette.
