Bell Flavors & Fragrances has announced its new selection of trends for the 2018 Spark program. Spark is Bell’s insider resource for new and emerging consumer trends as well as flavor and fragrance inspirations. Using a unique and detailed process, Bell uncovered new ideas for 2018 and beyond that are sure to ignite customer inspirations and translate them into winning product ideations.

Bell’s Spark flavor trends include a deeper dive into the Mediterranean Sea; consumers that are making healthy-ish decisions; ingredients found at the intersect of the world’s grid; chefs using a touch of cleverness in the unexpected; an inspiration from our social surroundings; and a “bao of respect” to well-known Chinese provinces of the culinary world.

Kelli Heinz, Bell’s Vice President of Marketing, talks about Spark. “Bell’s Spark trend program has evolved over the years to become a dynamic program that analyzes different data points combined with consumer insight to generate trend forecasts for flavor and fragrance predictions and concepts. Each year Bell validates our past predictions to see where they have matured in the marketplace and our success rate has been spot on for each Spark trend further validating our unique trend curation process. We are excited to ignite your creativity and inspire your senses for future flavor and fragrance developments.”

For a deeper dive on Bell’s Spark flavor trends:

• Touched by the Mediterranean takes us on a journey around the Mediterranean Sea as we hug the Northern coast, filled with an abundance of fresh seafood, and learn the various citruses, crafted-liquors, cheeses, and seasonings reigning from this region.
• Healthy-ish explores what’s nutritionally good and making it (actually) fun to eat—by exploring those healthier alternatives and flavor enhancers that create well-balanced and tasty dishes but also make food selection decisions kind of “healthy-ish”.
• Longitude and Latitude imaginary lines across the globe create a grid of exploration and intrigue for many chefs with the need to learn about new ingredients and flavors.
• Unexpected is a bunch or two of perfectly crafted executions with a special dash of a surprise that keeps us coming back for more using unexpected flavors nuzzling their way into dishes.
• Outdoor Social features foods and beverages that can and should be enjoyed everywhere, and it seems like we all enjoy it just a smidgen more when that “place” is outside!
• A Wok Through the Provinces isn’t just about crab rangoons and fried rice – the world is finally discovering the robust culinary repertoire of China’s eight food regions and their palette-tickling diversity.

The Spark fragrance trends are inspired by the everyday moments that go unnoticed; the classic notes from the French countryside; Mother Nature’s accords reflected in the natural beauty space; America’s ever-changing landscapes; and by the scents that can only be discovered as you flip through the pages of a novel. Lastly, we look back at trends from the past year and explore how they’ve made an impact in the ever-changing world of fragrance.

Bell’s Spark fragrance trends:

• Everyday Moments speaks to memorable days compiled upon thousands of individual moments of serenity, energy, happiness, and reflection.
• Urban Adventurer takes us to the French Countryside as we stroll through classic French inspirations.
• Beauty By Nature shows us that Mother Nature continues to inspire and reshape the word of beauty and personal care with bountiful plant life that makes an impact on scent creations.
• United Scents of America reports on the state of fragrant indulgences from sea to shining sea as scent sensations await in the less traveled destinations of the United States of America.
• The Library will transport your mind to a magical time when imagination could take us anywhere – from adventure, a little mystery, or to romance – all at the flip of a page.