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The Spark trends platform at Bell is the origin of imagination. It’s the source of what’s possible. It’s the essence of creativity and the future of what’s to come in the flavor and fragrance industry. It’s your guide to what’s next and provides the foundation to excite, enliven, and ignite your creativity.

Drilling down to flavor trends is as easy as 1,2,3
1. Bell’s Spark trend toolkit is applied to our proprietary consumer macro/micro trend structure that best aligns with your brand or product.
2. Deep dive analysis into the category & market to apply towards your featured brand/product.
3. In-Depth flavor exploration & Analytics applied to deliver targeted flavor solutions.

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Nostalgia
Reliving Iconic Era Throwbacks
Let’s rewind the clock back to the good ol’ days and press pause, if only for a few moments. Throwbacks from the most iconic eras are becoming prominent as people are curious to experience whimsical and familiar favorites in an immersive landscape. Sentimental memories and fun-filled moments full of energy are being brought back to life through this revival of classic fusions. Speakeasies and cocktail clubs make people reminisce about years long ago, while pop culture and memorable scents from the past uncover modern nostalgic favorites. The concept of nostalgia plays on happy days that makes people realize even though the clock can’t be turned back, it can always be wound up again.
Fuel & Find
Virtual cast reunions for shows such as Taxi, Twin Peaks, and Melrose Place offer a return to beloved characters from the past, weaving nostalgic youth back into our adulthood
- National Geographic
Noodle Norms
Mac & Cheese
Tonkatsu
Herb Butter Noodle
Soda Shop
Cola
Root Beer
Malts
Classic Comforts
Grilled Cheese
Choc. Pudding
Tomato Soup
Festival Season
Cotton Candy
Corn on the Cob
Funnel Cake
Retro Parlor
Whipped Cream
Maraschino Cherry
Butter Crackers
Americana
The Classics
Sentimental
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Enjoying Rewards
FINDING HAPPINESS THROUGH UNEXPECTED DELIGHTS
Unexpected delights send a strangely satisfying and irresistible thrill throughout the senses, stimulating pure happiness and a sense of guilt-free worth. People crave these feelings and bask in the rewards they offer. Treat-worthy concepts are now accessible for everyone, from rich and elegant profiles to beauty-focused bubbly delights. The resurgence of sensorial indulgences is making its appearance across categories as consumers are yearning to break free from solitude and experience the next level of life.
Fuel & Find
In tune with our senses, we shed guilt to enjoy soft materials, harmonious vibrations, charming visuals, and fragrant aromas; finding satisfaction in small things.
- Fashion Snoops
Chocolate varietals
Ruby Chocolate
Dark Chocolate
Cacao Nibs
BUBBLY SPIRITS
Champagne
Prosecco
Rosé
RICH FLAVOR
Kokumi
Wagyu Beef
Aged Cheese
BEAUTIFULLY EDIBLE
Olive Oil
Turmeric
Super Berries
RAW BATTERS
Cookie
Brownie
Cake
YUMMY ADDICTIONS
SPOIL ME
ELEVATED ELEGANCE
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Homestyle
ENJOYING DIFFERENT CULTURES OF HOMESTYLE COMFORTS
Neighborhoods and the streets are made up of a melting pot of cultures from around the world. Home is where the heart is, and the idea of home style can make anyone feel happy – whether across the border or across the street. When surrounded by the comforts of home, inspiration warms the heart and people are getting creative with DIY-from-scratch treasures and traditions. People are cozying up to their surroundings and embracing home style comforts that will bring a smile to the surface and a hug to the heart.
Fuel & Find
Homestyle comforts bring us together to find our sense of community. We are each an amalgamation of our birthplaces, our cultural experiences, and our wildest dreams of sharing stories and building understanding.
- Fashion Snoops
FERMENTED FAVORITES
Miso
Tempeh
Cider
CLASSIC STEWS
Pozole
Birria
Ropa Vieja
OVEN ROASTED
Roast Beef
Peanuts
Vegetables
FRIED CHICKEN
Nashville Hot
Korean
Buttermilk
STEAMED MILK BEVS
Tea Lattes
Hot Chocolates
Whipped Coffee
THE HEARTLAND
WARM & COZY
CUDDLE UP
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SELF-CARE
BUILDING RESILIENCY
Consumers continue to adjust and refine perspective on holistic wellbeing particularly for personal self-optimization. Remaining fit and healthy is one of the most crucial steps one can take in fighting potential ailments and maximizing human performance. As consumers continue to experiment with, and improve upon diets, they are also adding products outside of food are sought after for desired effects on the body. The use of natural essential oils and botanical blends including food grade botanicals are on the rise in many new product launches. In an ever changing world, consumers love using a mixture of good habits and products to help feel the best they ever have.
Fuel & Find
Love yourself first, and everything else falls in line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.
- Lucille Ball
Immunity Boosting
Pomegranate
Black Currant
Citrus
Super Food
Sweet Potato
Acai
Plantain
Wine Time
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Chenin Blanc
Exotic Fruits
Yuzu
Persimmon
Star Apple
Healthy Fats
Avocado
Chia Seeds
Pine Nuts
Immunity Solutions
Strong For Life
Me Time
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FUNCTIONAL
TOOLS TO THRIVE
The strategic use of Functional Ingredients can dramatically improve the efficacy and intended benefits of a product and consumers are looking to incorporate them whenever possible. From the energizing effects of coffee to the brain boosting powers of mushrooms, people are actively searching for anything that can provide a mental or physical edge. As this trend continues to evolve, consumers will have an increased focus on label claims and ingredient statements, to ensure they reap the benefits of Functional Ingredients.
Fuel & Find
Functional ingredients allow the consumer to build personalized regimens to achieve their version of overall wellness and target key clinically researched body and mind fulfillment, exactly what today’s consumer is looking for.
- Food Business News
From The Sea
Nori
Fish sauce
Fish Varietals
Fermented Ingredients
Natto
Soy Sauce
Kefir
Functional Fungi
Porcini
Shitake
Wood Ear
Dark Leafy Greens
Bok Choy
Kale
Arugula
Super Seeds
Corriander Seeds
Sesame Seeds
Pepita Seeds
Botanical Water
Botanical Inclusions
Good-Natured
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MOODS & EMOTIONS
STATE OF CALM
As consumers continue to gain a better understanding of their holistic health, mood and emotions will play a key role in overall wellbeing. A healthy and positive mind is one of the most important tools one can employ, it improves focus, memory, creativity and, in-turn, increases efficiency and productivity. The collective focus on mood enhancing products will continue to grow, especially as the public continues to shine a light on mental health issues, worldwide. As many consumers prefer to use natural remedies, they are seeking out products that feature select flavors, fragrances, and botanicals designed to boost mood.
Fuel & Find
Your emotions make you human. Even the unpleasant ones have a purpose. Don't lock them away. If you ignore them, they just get louder.
- Sabaa Tahir
Herbal Tea
Dandelion
Rooibos
Hibiscus
Soothing Florals
Lavender
Chamomile
Rose
Familiar Favorites
Watermelon
Apple Crisp
Sweet Corn
Stress Reflief
Green Tea
Ginseng
Parsley
Brain Boosters
Peppermint
Tonka Bean
Pepita Seed
Bottled Happiness
Signs of Hope
Finding Tranquility
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Getaway
THE NEW MEANING OF TRAVEL
The most common fantasy for those who are not allowed to travel is the promise of future adventures in faraway lands. The prospect of escaping somewhere new triggers the senses and the need to find out more about different places around the world before any traveling plans even take place. All of these findings are infused into the way people discover new ingredients to cook with, what they choose to read, the music they listen to, and even the fragrances they choose. This constant need to get closer to new experiences, give a new direction to the meaning of travel; from finding “paradise” and a component of the exotic, to the cultural nuances and inspirations found when trotting the globe.
Fuel & Find
The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.
- Saint Augustine
International Fruits
Calamansi
Date
Pomelo
Sauce Style
Mole
Sambal
Tzatziki
Traditional Mixes
Za’tar
Ras El Hanout
Togarashi
Foraged Food
Wild Berries
Seaweeds
Mushrooms
Varietal Wood Embers
Whiskey Barrel
Mesquite
Walnut
Global Paradise
New World
The Great Outdoors
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Inward
AN ACTIVE STATE OF MIND
The power of the mind has been explored on many different aspects. Whether focusing on fantasy and imagination, performance, learning, experience, or wellness; it becomes undeniable that the state of our mind alters drastically our perception of the world. As people fear new experiences or even other human interactions, the focus has turned from the outside world to an inner and more intimate one. Traveling with the power of imagination, or just enhancing the present experiences are common subjects among consumers who seek newness. An active state of mind is the key to discover new worlds.
Fuel & Find
You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you’ll discover will be wonderful. What you’ll discover is yourself.
- Alan Alda
MOOD FOODS
Oyster
Chilies
Nuts
BRAIN POWER
Blueberry
Salmon
Coffee
FUNCTIONAL COMFORT
Mushroom Lattes
Whole Grains
Bee Pollen
REDISCOVERING SWEETS
Red Bean
Speculaas
Matcha
VR PLAYGROUND
HEADSPACE
EPHEMERAL & DEVINE
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MULTI-SENSORIAL
ENHANCED PERCEPTIONS
The interconnectedness of the senses allows amplifying experiences that would otherwise seem one-dimensional. With a wave of mini escapes made up by ultra sensorial experiences and stimuli to make up for the dullness of life in restriction, these new takes on how the senses are interpreted help redefine the boundaries of perception. Creating impactful and memorable experiences by combining the way people interact with different products and allowing for an immersive experience will define how people discover different aspects of life.
Fuel & Find
As we become multi-sensory, we move beyond the limitations of the five senses and we now are evolving to a different mechanism in the exploration of physical reality.
- Gary Zukav
Varietal Hops
Cascade
Galaxy
Mosaic
Unique Produce
Pink Pineapple
Kumquat
Cotton Candy Grapes
Fermented Flavors
Mead
Miso
Kvass
Sincere Sensates
Cooling
Heating
Numbing
Textured
Colors of Life
Smell The Sound
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PRESERVATION
MOTHER EARTH, A BETTER EARTH
Humans are complex creatures with a rich story to tell. Ancestors before paved the way for life as humans know it today. Ancient Mayan cooking and Japanese beauty techniques, traditions and folklore, all fall under this micro trend. Celebrating rare & endangered ingredients and plants of the Earth that humans can work to preserve is another piece of this micro trend.
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This country will not be a permanently good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a reasonably good place for all of us to live in.
- Theodore Roosevelt
NATURE WALK
Dukkah
Chokeberry
Wild Ginger
DESIGNER FRUITS
Pink Pineapple
Cotton Candy Grape
Plumcot
HERB GARDEN
Shiso
Fennel Pollen
Lemon Balm
DEEP ROOTED
Carrot
Sweet Potato
Beet
WILD FLOWERS
Dandelion
Chrysanthemum
Peony
ROOTS
RARE & ENDANGERED
AYURVEDIC INSPIRED INGREDIENTS
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SUSTAINABILITY
SAVING ASPECTS OF CULTURE
Sustainability is a multifaceted system. From the foods consumed, to the products used, all of this contributes to the sustainability of the Earth. Many companies are working to sustain the environment via waste-free packaging, reusable constructs and reducing food waste. Many humans are taking measures into their own hands by opting for electric vehicles, recycling and championing brands that match their sustainable lifestyles. Solar flowers such as Ylang Ylang and plant-based meats and dairy, are perfect examples of sustainable options.
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The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.
- Robert Swan
PLANT BASED
Beef
Milk
Vegan Seafood
SUSTAINABLE LIVING
Nut Butters
Whole Grains
Apricot
MUSHROOM VARIETALS
Wood Ear
Matsutake
Chanterelle
LEAFY GREENS
Beet Greens
Broccoli Rabe
Pumpkin Leaves
SEEDS & NUTS
Black Walnut
Pepita
Sesame
ELEMENTS
SOLAR FLORALS
Water Based Plants
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DIVERSE HUMANITY
WHAT MAKES HUMANS, HUMAN
This micro trend dives into the vast culture amongst humans. It is a harmonious celebration of how humans differ, yet are the same. Indian ice cream trends such as the delicious & creamy Kulfi and anti-aging, freeze-dried ginseng products of China, all fall under this micro trend. From clothes, to food, to entertainment, each individual has a unique outlook on life that can be shared for others to embrace around the globe.
Fuel & Find
We are all different, which is great because we are all unique. Without diversity, life would be very boring.
- Catherine Pulsifer
GLOBAL STREET FOOD
Turkish Sharbat
Augua Frescas
Jerk Chicken
CHILLI PEPPERS
Shishito
Thai Birds Eye
Calabrian
SWEET TREATS
Candied Nuts
Brown Butter
Smoked Maple
WORLD COFFEE
Kona
Ethiopian
Arabica
HONEY VARIETALS
Clover
Manuka
Buckwheat
FABRICS
CLASSIC FLORALS
GOURMAND
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INNOVATION
USING CREATIVITY TO MAKE LIFE BETTER
Society is in a perpetual state of change. On an individual level, people are looking for ways to make tools more efficient, time spent to be made more impactful, food taste more delicious, aromas smell more pleasant, and life, in general, made more comfortable. The use of technology every day is accelerating; from business tools to the classroom experience, innovation is leading change. What people taste and smell and how these things are delivered is in a continual state of improvement.
Fuel & Find
Together, we have the power to inspire, connect, and deliver on new opportunities and rich experiences that can open doors to innovation and progress while growing global economies and increasing well-being.
- Tae Yoo
CANNABIS STRAINS
Blackberry Kush
Mimosa
Apple Jack
SAVORY ICE CREAM
Miso
Balsamic
Ricotta
FUNCTIONAL WATERS
Collagen Water
Protein Water
Vitamin Water
ADDED BENEFITS
Cardamom
Ginseng
Lavender
COOKING TECHNIQUES
Wood Fired
Carbonated
Slow Cooker
ELECTRIC TECH
MULTI-DIMENSIONAL
HOLOGRAM
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CONNECTIVITY
IN TOUCH WITH OTHERS TO BE IN TOUCH WITH SELF
Ties between people have gotten more robust, and communication takes place on a more regular basis. However, communication is increasing on cultural, social, emotional, and sensory levels. Sharing experiences and bonding over personal triumphs with the world have made people more in touch with each other. With flavor and fragrance, personal and cultural exchanges occur more now than ever, providing the ability to connect to people around the globe through what we choose to taste, see, hear, and smell.
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We are like islands in the sea, separate on the surface but connected in the deep.
- William James
COMMUNAL MEAL
Braised Beef
Crab Boil
Fondue
BREAKFAST IN BED
French Toast
Greek Yogurt
Waffles
HIGH END SNACKING
Soufflé
Croissants
Danish
SEASONAL SPIRITS
Sangria
Mulled Wine
Irish Coffee
SUMMER CAMP
S’mores
Churro Sundae
Campfire Popcorn
THE HUMAN TOUCH
SKIN TO SKIN
GLOBAL RITUAL
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THE JOY OF MISSING OUT
HAPPINESS IS STAYING IN AND SLOWING DOWN
Before everyone found themselves back at home, the number of things to do that was crammed into the day was staggering. Now, with more time on hand and fewer places to go, an appreciation of enjoying alone time is reemerging. Slowing down and staying in is becoming the preferred option, and the way this time is enjoyed is becoming more creative. People are searching for delight in the small things, making every moment special. Whether it is relaxing in a bath surrounded by candles or cooking a romantic dinner for two at home, there is a real joy in missing out.
Fuel & Find
We have to stop the glorification of busy. We need to change our mindset and redefine what it means to be productive. Productivity is not about doing more, it’s doing what’s most important.
- Tonya Dalton
TAKING TIME
Sourdough
Kombucha
Cured Meats
SMOKERS DELIGHT
Hickory
Mesquite
Apple Wood
ALCOHOL INFUSIONS
Elderflower
Yuzu
Cloves
PRESERVED SNACKS
Kimchi
Sauerkraut
Vinegars
DESSERT FOR ONE
Berries Jubilee
Espresso Crème Brulee
Choc. Dipped Fruit
OVER THE RAINBOW
JUST BE
STOP AND SMELL THE COFFEE