Move over matcha, this nostalgic Spring ingredient is ‘impossible to resist’

Like fashion, food trends come and go, although they usually take a little while to fully infiltrate the mainstream.

While you might be bored of pistachio, matcha, and ube, as you’ve seen them everywhere on social media, those who aren’t as chronically online might only just be discovering these flavours.

For those who are looking for the next big thing, you’re in luck, as it’s already been crowned.

And according to a food trends expert, it’s a ‘fascinating’ and ‘nostalgic’ flavour that shouldn’t just be considered ‘another flash in the pan’.

What is Cherry Blossom?

Cherry Blossoms, also known as Sakura in Japan, are delicate, pale pink and white flowers that blossom on trees in Spring.

They bloom intensely for around two weeks, and because of this, in Japan, they are seen to represent the transient nature of life and are a beloved cultural symbol.

Sakura season is celebrated with hanami, which is a centuries-old tradition where people gather to view the flowers.

Often this will also involve families getting together and having picnics under the blossom trees.

Many towns and cities across Japan now hold Sakura season street festivals too, known as sakura matsuri.

What many might not know is that cherry blossom is also used in food in Japan, and this flavour is making its way over to the UK now, too.

The petals and leaves are often pickled in salt and plum vinegar and then used in teas and desserts.

Sakura powder is commonly used in food, too, which is made by freeze-drying the flowers and finely grinding them into a pink powder.

This gently colours and flavours drinks, sweets and cakes with a light, sweet and floral taste.

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It’s said that the leaves have a much stronger flavour than the flowers themselves.

Experts warn that cherry blossoms should only be eaten in small quantities, especially when raw, as they contain cyanogenic compounds, which can be harmful in larger quantities.

Where is it popping up in food in the UK?

Sadly, this was just a limited-edition item, but there are now several other big brands jumping on the bandwagon.

Black Sheep Coffee, for instance, has just launched new Cherry Blossom drinks, including a Cherry Blossom Lemonade, a Cherry Blossom Matcha Latte, and a Cherry Blossom and Vanilla Red Bull Infusion.

Lindt also just unveiled new Cherry Blossom Lindor Truffles, which have a speckled pink and white chocolate shell with a sweet, floral pastel pink filling.

Other Sakura items are available at Japanese supermarkets in the UK, such as Sakura Blossom KitKats, Sakura candy, Sakura Vinegar, and sweet Sakura tea.

What do the experts think?

Vhari Russell, the founder of the Food Marketing Experts, tells Metro that cherry blossom is going to prove popular – and not just for Sakura season.

The expert, who has worked in the food industry for 25 years, says it’s likely here to stay, and there are several reasons why it’ll be successful.

She said: ‘Cherry blossom is a fascinating one, and I don’t think it’s a flash in the pan.

‘What we’re seeing is a convergence of several powerful trends happening at the same time, which is usually the recipe for something that genuinely sticks rather than fades after a season.’
She continued: ‘Visually, cherry blossom is almost impossible to resist.

‘In a world where every food and drink product is competing for attention on a phone screen before it even reaches a mouth, the soft pinks, the delicate florals, the whole aesthetic taps into something that feels both nostalgic and completely of the moment.

POLL

Which trending flavour is your favourite?

• Matcha

• Ube

• Pistachio

• Cherry Blossom

‘Lindt putting it into a truffle is a very smart move.

It takes something that feels ephemeral and seasonal and anchors it in a premium product that people will actually seek out and buy repeatedly.’
But Vhari claims the most interesting thing about cherry blossom is that it’s so much more than ‘just a flavour’, as it holds an emotional weight too.

‘It’s tied to the Japanese concept of mono no aware, the bittersweet beauty of things that don’t last,’ she explained.

‘Consumers are increasingly drawn to food and drink experiences that feel meaningful rather than just tasty, and cherry blossom delivers that in a way very few other trends can.’

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Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.