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The juice and zest of the lime brings new life and character to any dish or beverage. From spicy tacos to a refreshing cocktail—lime will take the taste experience to a whole new level by adding complexity and freshness. Since 2013, lime flavored new products are growing globally with 43% growth. Europe is the key region for growth, and we are seeing 33% growth in North America. Let’s take a closer look at the various forms of lime on the menu, in social media, and in new products.

LIME Social Listening Summary

We conducted a social listening analysis on lime covering the previous six months. An overview is provided below.

47 mentions per minute.
Key Consumer Voice: 71% Female
Keywords: fresh, sweet, delicious, easy

Key Consumer Interests
1) 59% Cocktails & Beer
2) 46% Desserts & Baking
3) 45% Mexican Cuisine

TOP POSTS
Recipe: 7-UP Pound Cake
Recipe: Easy skillet cilantro lime chicken.
Recipe: Avocado, Black Bean Corn Salad Cilantro Lime Dressing

2,144 Lime recipes on genius kitchen
On Genius Kitchen, formerly food.com, 2,144 recipes appear when you search for lime. Recipes include tequila lime shrimp tacos, limeade, avocado lime salad, candied lime slices, Georgetown lime cookies, coconut lime squares, honey lime oat muffins and a cranberry lime ricky.

Ultimate Breakfast Toast
The September issue of Cooking Light features an article titled “Ultimate Breakfast Toast” that takes toast to the next-level making it a wholesome treat for anytime of the day. The recipe includes fruits like fresh mixed berries, and peaches that are topped with lime juice and sugar and paired with a ricotta & honey mixture on toast.

LIME ON THE MENU: Q3 2017-Q3 2018

3,911 Lime mentions on the menu

Casual Dining is the top restaurant segment, with beverage, entrée and salad as the top three menu sections with the most lime-flavored items. Beverages account for 65% of all lime-flavored menu items.

MENU MENTIONS:

• Lemon-Lime Pound Cake is served with a lime buttermilk sherbet at The Bristol in Chicago.
• Watermelon & Snow Pea Salad is served with a tamarind-lime vinaigrette at Talde in Brooklyn, NY.
• Prickly Pear Margarita is made with Astral Blanco tequila, lime agave sour and prickly pear puree with a float of Grand Marnier at Benihana’s nationwide.
• Chili-Lime Chicken and Mango Salad is made with grilled chicken, sweet mango, avocado, jicama, sweet corn, onions, cilantro and romaine, tossed with our chili-lime vinaigrette at the Grand Lux Café in Chicago.

LIME Global New Product Introductions: 2013-2018

6,425 Lime flavored new product introductions

GLOBAL FAST FACTS:
EUROPE is the top global region for lime new product introductions with 44% of all new products.
CARBONATED SOFT DRINKS is the top product sub-category globally for lime flavored new products.
LEMON is the top flavor paired with lime.

Product Examples

• Innocent Bubbles Sparkling Lemon & Lime Pure Fruit Spring Water: a lightly sparkling blend of pure fruit juice and spring water. 54% of consumers responded that they likely or definitely would purchase this product, significantly outperforming its subcategory. France
• Macro Wholefoods Market Hola Yummy-Ness Chilli & Lime Nuts & Seeds: This Mexican-inspired nut & seed mix is a good source of fiber and protein. 41% of consumers responded that they likely or definitely would purchase this product, significantly outperforming its subcategory. Australia
• Remedy Organic Kombucha Lemon, Lime & Mint: A sparkling live cultured drink that is brewed for 30 days and hand-crafted in small batches. 32% of consumers responded that they likely or definitely would purchase this product, significantly outperforming its subcategory. Australia

LIME North America New Product Introductions: 2013-2018

1,133 Lime flavored new product introductions

NORTH AMERICA FAST FACTS:
NORTH AMERICA accounts for 18% of all lime flavored new product introductions.
FLAVORED WATER is the top product sub-category for lime flavored new products.
LEMON is the top flavor paired with lime.

Product Examples

• Nabisco Triscuit Avocado, Cilantro & Lime Crackers : A baked cracker made with 100% whole grain wheat. 49% of consumers responded that they likely or definitely would purchase this product, significantly outperforming its subcategory. USA.
• Malibu Caribbean Rum With Lime Liqueur: Malibu Lime is described as “a bold and juicy taste with a fresh lime finish.” 44% of consumers responded that they likely or definitely would purchase this product, significantly outperforming its subcategory. USA.
• Signature Select Chunky Mango-Lime Mild Salsa: Described as a fusion of flavor from the Caribbean, it is a salsa with sweet and tangy mangoes, and peaches. 47% of consumers responded that they likely or definitely would purchase this product, significantly outperforming its subcategory. USA.

The Takeaways

The interest in lime spans categories, demographics and geographic regions. The taste has seen 43% growth globally and about 18% of new products are in North America. For those posting about lime on social media: key interests are culinary, including Mexican cuisine, cocktails/beer and desserts/baking. This tried and true flavor is incredibly versatile, adding zest and complexity to a wealth of foods and beverages. The question is: Is it right for your product development?

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Let FONA’s market insight and research experts get to work for you. Translate these trends into bold new ideas for your brand. Increase market share and get to your “what’s next.” Our technical flavor and product development experts are also at your service to help meet the labeling and flavor profile needs for your products to capitalize on this consumer trend. Let’s mesh the complexities of flavor with your brand development, technical requirements and regulatory needs to deliver a complete taste solution.

From concept to manufacturing, we’re here for you — every step of the way. Contact our sales service department at 630.578.8600 to request a flavor sample or chat us up at www.fona.com/contact-fona/

Sources in full report