5/29/07- Yum, free ice cream. So Häagen-Dazs was giving away ice cream cones last week at the store by my work. Sticky Toffee Pudding & Cinnamon Dulce de Leche.
Häagen-Dazs has already got Mayan Chocolate on the menu, and regular Dulce de Leche has long been a staple in its freezers.
& I just checked the Häagen-Dazs website, the flavor Coco y Cacao is 1 of 3 finalists to become “The” new Häagen-Dazs flavor.
Häagen-Dazs knows something that many other retailers are just starting to learn. Latin flavors are CALIENTE!
Who's Buying Latin Flavors?
Hispanics spend a lot of money on food, but it is more than just Hispanics buying these flavored foods. The general market population is becoming more adventurous and seeking flavors outside of its comfort zone.
Look at the recent boom in Thai food, Vietnamese, Ethiopian...all things ethnic are hot, but especially Hispanic flavors.
Our fellow blogger, El Pansonsote, loves Micheladas……only as many of you know these can be time-consuming to make. Well Miller Beer is here to solve that problem- soon El Pansonsote will be able to pop open a Miller Chill “Chelada”.
Latino flavors are here to stay.
The Evidence
Tysons Foods Inc. noted in 2005 that the demand for Latin-influenced food and flavors was growing over 10% in restaurants across the board. The same year, the National Restaurant Assoc. showed Latino-themed restaurants were growing at 3.5 times that of general population.
So, the lesson here?
Considering some new flavors for your brand line, or exploring some new food items for your menu? Consider some exotic flavors…and likely by the time you launch them, they’ll already be part of U.S. mainstream consciousness.
In the Meantime...
Between thinking about that Cinnamon Dulce de Leche Häagen-Dazs scoop, the Tunisian mojito I had last night, the Fiery Habanero Doritos I’m munching on right now, to the Dulce de Leche Oreos sitting in my kitchen...I think I'm hungry now...
-La Marketer