In the vastly competitive yogurt market, food companies are blending heat with sweet, one way to wake up their sales. Chobani recently launched a few spicy twists in its Flip yogurt line. Its Sriracha Mango, a low-fat mango yogurt, has spicy sriracha-coated rice crisps, mini sesame sticks and roasted salted cashews. Inspired by its Chobani SoHo Cafe, the combination's crunchy mix-ins pair well with the creamy Greek yogurt. Chobani also offers a Flip in Chipotle-Pineapple, with low-fat pineapple yogurt and chipotle-flavored granola, smoked almonds and pumpkin seeds.
Spreadable yogurt from Karoun Dairies Inc., Sun Valley, Calif., includes flavored yogurt cheeses known as labne, often used instead of cream cheese or sour cream. Rich in probiotics, Karoun Kefir Cheese Labne is available in three zesty flavors − Creamy Ranch, French Onion and Spicy Garden Vegetables. The flavored labne can be used as a dip, in recipes or spread on breads, crackers and crudités.
Lebanese-style Sohha Savory Yogurt, from the New York company of the same name, may prove savory could be the new sweet. Sohha's taste is reminiscent of yogurt with savory flavors found in the Middle East and India, explains co-founder John Fout. Yogurt doesn't have to be sweet, he says, and is eaten in other ways in other parts of the world, often topped with olive oil, peppers, pine nuts and sumac.
International influences are expanding consumer palates with complex flavor profiles like spicy and bitter, explains Mintel Group analyst Beth Bloom. Spicy flavors are showing up in ice cream because consumers are looking for adventure when it comes to dessert. Restaurants across the country offer spicy and savory flavors that include the zip of chili peppers or black pepper, often paired with sweeter fruity, chocolate or vanilla flavors or spices like cinnamon, cumin and ginger.
