Black lemonade and rainbow noodles: ingredient trends in Asia

In September, Food Ingredients Asia-Thailand will be showcasing the latest ingredient solutions including the GNT EXBERRY rainbow noodles coloured with plant-based foods like carrots, sweet potatoes and spirulina.

As consumers become more health-conscious, the demand has increased for ‘clean and green’ when it comes to new F&B products and their ingredients. The Asia–Pacific market is also demanding convenient, yet nutritious, on-the-go items. Other emerging ingredients trends include: hemp for plant-based, free-from and high-protein innovations; matcha for applications from smoothies to biscuits; and flowers such as lavender, hibiscus and elderflower for beverage sector applications.

According to MMR research, consuming foods with ‘no artificial ingredients’ is a priority for 70% of consumers in Asia–Pacific. In response, GNT EXBERRY has created a range of colouring foods, to help manufacturers produce natural and ‘Instagrammable’ products that stand out on the shelf. The products demonstrate why the concept of colouring foods is ideal for instant noodles, as well as dim sum, wonton skins and coloured breadcrumbs in meat and fish products.

Victor Foo, General Manager of GNT Singapore, described the coloured foods as “the perfect way to meet the needs of Southeast Asia’s increasingly health-conscious consumers, and to adapt to restrictions on artificial colours.” The coloured foods are also visually appealing, thereby allowing manufacturers to provide consumables for the adventurous consumer, seeking Instagrammable trends.

Together with the rainbow noodles, GNT will be displaying its coloured breadcrumb concepts as part of its colouring foods. It will also be showcasing black lemonade, key lime mojitos, Thai milk teas and a toffee oolong milk tea with black pearls. Alongside offering an alternative to artificial colourants, the beverages are designed to look appealing on social media, thereby increasing consumer interest.

Food Ingredients Asia-Thailand will be held on 11–13 September 2019, in Bangkok. For more information, visit: https://www.figlobal.com/asia-thailand/visit.