Lemon Myrtle named in top 20 flavours for 2023
In a huge win for Australian producers, Lemon Myrtle has been named an ‘emerging’ and ‘upcoming’ flavour by the influential Kerry Taste and Nutrition Charts for 2023.
Ross Norris, General Manager of Australian Native Products, says this is great news for all Lemon Myrtle growers and something his team has been working towards for decades.
“The Kerry Charts reflect how trends are travelling around the world, and we are delighted to see Lemon Myrtle recognised as a distinctive flavour in its own right,” he says.
Lemon Myrtle and Coconut were the only flavours to appear in every category – Dairy & Hot Beverages; Water & Cold Beverages; Sweet; Salty; and Savoury Snacks.
In Dairy, Hot and Cold Beverage categories, Lemon Myrtle was among the top 20 fastest-growing flavours over the past year and named an ‘emerging’ flavour.
Meanwhile in the Sweet, Savoury, and Salty Snack Food categories, it was one of the top 20 fastest-growing flavours over the past three years, and designated ‘up and coming’.
Kerry’s Global Taste and Nutrition Charts outlines the upcoming and emerging flavours in Australia for the coming year, as well as profiling top mainstream and key tastes.
“These charts are closely watched by the food manufacturing sector, so we can expect to see Lemon Myrtle appearing in more and more products in the years ahead,” adds Norris.
In Australia Lemon Myrtle is already available in a wide range of black, green and herbal tea blends, and also featured in many flavoured gins, cordials, tonics. On the dairy side, products include artisanal butters and cheeses, and desserts such as Weis Lemon Myrtle & Coconut Romance ice cream bars and Van Diemen's Land Creamery Peach Lemon Myrtle Ice Cream.
In the sweet category Lemon Myrtle is incorporated into several shortbread and cookie products, as well as cakes, meringues and lollies. In savoury and salty products, Lemon Myrtle is used in Kettle Chips, many brands of crackers, to flavour macadamias, infused in oil, and in dukkah and many herbal seasonings.
This fragrant and flavoursome lemon herb was even showcased at the world’s most prestigious culinary competition, the Bocuse d’Or, held in France in January, with the Australian competitor Alex McIntosh adding Lemon Myrtle to several of his dishes.
It’s no wonder Lemon Myrtle is grabbing the attention of international taste-makers – with its ‘lemon-ier than lemon’ flavour thanks to high concentrations of citral, plus its health benefits and antibacterial properties – this is an Australian herb that seriously punches above its weight.
In fact the concentration of citral is so high in Lemon Myrtle that a little goes a long way, especially when using the essential oil, so it is a very cost effective way of adding a refreshing citrus flavour to food and beverages.
As the world's largest grower, processor and marketer of both organic and conventional lemon myrtle, Australian Native Products is well placed to meet the demand for this ‘Queen of Lemon Herbs’.
Kerry forecasts that consumers in 2023 are seeking nostalgic treats, comfort dishes, or healthy alternatives in their diet. With Lemon Myrtle ticking all these boxes, you can expect to see it appearing in more restaurant dishes and retail products in the years ahead.
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