Autumn flavors are warm, comforting, wholesome, and rustic. The weather is cool enough to enjoy the feeling of our hands-on steaming mugs of strawberry mocha lattes yet warm enough to enjoy an outdoor picnic beneath yellowing leaves. People start eating and drinking more during autumn and as we move into the colder months. With the start of the Halloween season and the onset of Thanksgiving, it is wise for businesses to change with the seasons to meet the specific needs of their customers.
Whether your business is in the food or beverage industry, creating themed products allows your customers to see you among other companies vying for their attention. Not adapting to seasonal trends will leave your business on the back of people’s minds as they search for Halloween-themed candy for their school’s costume parade, cozy, decadent cocktails for autumn parties, or pumpkin-spiced lattes for early morning meetings.
Our flavor experts at Northwest Naturals have been tracking the trends for over 40 years. Whether we help clients perfect classic flavors or support daring creative endeavors, our team has the technology, experience, and expertise to ensure your applications stand out. We’ve created a fall flavor guide to help you stay atop the season.
Popular Fall Fruits and Application Ideas
Join the crisp, abundant, and wholesomely sweet autumn narrative and explore these quintessential fall fruits with your products.
Pumpkin
It may be fall’s most iconic flavor! According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 75% of pumpkins grown in the United States are sold for Halloween. Pumpkins are used fresh for carving and decor and also for pumpkin-related products, including canned pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice products, pumpkin-flavored beverages, and baked goods like pumpkin pies.
Pumpkin pairs exceptionally well with fall spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. These spices enhance the flavor of pumpkin-based dishes, creating a wholesome and satisfying taste. Their smooth and creamy texture can also add richness to recipes, making them a delicious addition to soups, sauces, and desserts.
Get creative and try infusing pumpkin in soups, ravioli, risotto, hummus, pancakes, pudding and more!
Apple
Apples are homey and evoke a nostalgic feeling. They are associated with harvest and abundance, central themes of fall celebrations. Not only that, but they are also delicious and versatile! Apples pair wonderfully with fall spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. These spices enhance the natural flavor of apples and create comforting and classic dishes.
Imagine a fall carnival without candied apples! It wouldn’t be the same. Their crisp and sometimes sour bite compliments decadence. It is a refreshing balance to caramel sauces sprinkled with crushed chocolate bars and candy. Apple pies are a classic at autumn gatherings, as well as apple cider, apple crisps, apple, and cranberry crumble bars, and the list of possibilities goes on. Try an apple and sage roasted chicken, apple, and thyme pork chops, and even apple butter for savory inspiration!
Cranberry
Cranberries have a tart and slightly sweet flavor that compliments many fall ingredients and dishes while giving off a vibrant red that mirrors the changing leaves. Their natural acidity can balance the richness of fall comfort foods, making it a creative and delicious way to elevate your products.
Cranberry sauce is a classic Thanksgiving staple, but they are delicious in many dishes and beverages! Add them to muffins, bread, cakes, salads, and savory dishes like roast chicken. Spin classic cocktails for a cranberry mocktail mule, margarita, or sangria!
Pear
Pears are another fall fruit that might not be as popular as apples or cranberries, yet they are exceptionally versatile. Their unique flavor tastes beautifully with other fall ingredients like apples, cranberries, cinnamon, nutmeg, walnuts, and blue cheese. These pairings create complex and complementary flavor profiles that stand out among other fall flavor combinations.
Use pears in pies, crisps, and poached desserts or in smooth, sophisticated drinks and savory dishes like soups, chutneys, and pizzas.
We’ve seen delicious pairings like pear sage risotto, pear gorgonzola pizza, pear and gingerbread trifle, pear and brie crostini, spiced pear martini, or a pear and ginger smash cocktail. The possibilities are endless.
Let’s Create Something Great Together!
Whether creating the next apple pie on the market or crafting the new trending canned cranberry vodka, we love providing the best flavors and the perfect solutions for our clients any time of the year. Are you looking to bring your application to life? Contact us or request a sample today!