El gusto latino es muy caliente!
With a population that has grown in the U.S. by 77 percent over the last 12 years, it's no wonder that the influence of Hispanic taste is being felt on the mainstream population. We use the term "taste" literally, as experienced in everything from the tropical fruit varieties in supermarket produce to the thermal intensity of spices used in industrial recipes. Based on the Productscan Online database, more than half of the new products launched last year in the ethnic category had a Hispanic influence.
Loco para los sabores de la fruta
In 2004, Symrise conducted a nationwide online survey to better understand the current U.S. Hispanic population's taste preferences and taste expectations in various beverage and sweet food categories. Some of the more interesting findings revolved around fruit flavorings.
For instance, most assume that tropical fruits are preferred among the Hispanic population, but it may surprise some to learn that Hispanics' taste expectations include watermelon, kiwi and pineapple across beverage categories.
Soft Drinks: Ethnic Preferences
Ethnic preferences such as these are particularly evident in the soft drinks category.
Generally speaking, soft drinks have a high penetration in the Hispanic population, but acculturation levels are apparently also a factor. Immigrants are less likely to drink diet cola compared to native-born Hispanics. As with African-Americans, Hispanic immigrants are more likely to prefer regular cola and other regular soda flavors.
Source: Symrise study
However, compared to the general population, Hispanics tend to enjoy more fruit flavored soft drinks. When it comes to conventional fruit flavorings, Hispanics have a higher preference for strawberry, fruit punch and grape in soft drinks than the general population.
Look for growing popularity in these new soft drink flavors among the different ethnic groups:
- Hispanics: Pineapple, mango, watermelon, cream, citrus
- African-Americans: Watermelon, mango, cherry/blackcherry, peach, grapefruit
- Causasians: Fruit and cream combinations, cherry vanilla, peach.