There's More than Pumpkin Spice for Fall Flavors

Let's be honest, when you think of Fall flavors most likely the first thing that pops into your head is pumpkin spice. It's OK though, it's not your fault. We've been conditioned for years now by cafes and restaurants to equate the arrival of Fall with the arrival of pumpkin spice.But that won't be forever. In fact, last year showed a 2% dip in the market for introductions of pumpkin spice flavored items. And while that still leaves the flavor on 17% of menus nationally, it shows the pumpkin might be withering a bit.So, with that in mind let's look at 3 flavors that could upset the appl-er-pumpkin spice cart.

Maple

This should not be a shocker. Maple flavor is delicious and all over the place. Often combined with other flavors like maple pecan, maple butter, or maple chile, the rich and flavorful syrup is a great vehicle for innovation.What's new, however, is our general perception of what "good" maple syrup is. Previously, Grade A Amber Maple Syrup has dominated the market. But with a change in the grading system allowing darker, more richly flavored syrups to also be classified as Grade A, I expect to see a push in that direction.The true beauty of richer maple syrups is that their complexity will lead to new flavorful creations. Things like black maple BBQ sauce, dark maple chile glazed wings, and smoky maple bacon have opportunities to shine.

Molasses

A pantry staple for decades, molasses is resurfacing thanks to an inclined perception of its complex, bitter (see below) flavors. Blackstrap Molasses is becoming a common quality callout on menus. It's deep, rich, umami-ful flavor is perfect for BBQ sauces, meat glazes, stews, chilies, stir-fry, kebabs, and much more.Molasses-based sauces offer a depth of flavor and richness that can't be easily replicated. They're a great way to elevate a line of menu items without adding a lot of new ingredients.

Char

No, not the fish. Yes, the burnt stuff.Bitter flavors continue to be all the rage among diners. Burnt caramel, charred vegetables, fire roasted tomatoes and peppers, you name it. Even bitter drinks continue to grow in popularity. IPAs, Black IPAs, rich German dunkels, and schwarzbiers are all finding homes on menus around the country.And Fall meshes perfectly with charred flavors. Think of all the BBQing, grilling, open-fire cooking, roasting, and such that's going on. Combine these with a blackstrap molasses BBQ sauce and you might be on the way to re-shaping the future of fall flavors. Sorry pumpkin...

Time to Fall Forward

Let's rethink the flavors that come with Fall and move forward into complex, new creations that leave the pumpkins behind (unless you want to char one). Do any other flavors come to mind when you think of fall? Apple cider maybe? Let us know in the comments below.Cheers!