"Capturing Winter Appetites: Targeting the 'Seasonal Core' with Sweet Potatoes"

Food and Beverage Industry Launches Sweet Potato Menus for Winter
Expanding Product Lineups Across Beverages and Bakeries

The food and beverage industry is targeting the "seasonal core" consumption trend by launching a series of limited-edition products featuring sweet potatoes, a signature winter ingredient. This winter, the lineup of sweet potato-based products is expanding across various categories, including lattes, bakeries, ice cream, and snacks.

"Seasonal core" refers to the trend of enjoying seasonal ingredients or menu items that are available only for a limited time each season, allowing consumers to experience the essence of the season. As climate change blurs the boundaries between the four seasons, the desire to consciously enjoy seasonality has grown stronger, emerging as a new consumer keyword.

According to the food industry on December 19, a survey conducted by Embrain Trend Monitor, a market research company, in October among 1,200 men and women aged 13 to 69, showed that about 70% of respondents said they enjoy foods or activities unique to each season. Many respondents said they feel the seasons through foods, fruits, and vegetables, with younger generations showing higher interest in seasonal limited menus and limited-edition products.

Provided by Namyang Dairy Products.

Sweet potatoes have emerged as a representative seasonal ingredient for winter. As a staple winter food, sweet potatoes are popular for their satisfying and sweet flavor, meeting both meal replacement and snack demands. They are rich in carbohydrates and also contain a balanced mix of protein, fat, dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins. Recently, sweet potatoes have been widely used across the food and beverage industry, aligning with the seasonal core consumption trend that considers health, satiety, and seasonality beyond simple snacking.

Baekmidang, a coffee and ice cream brand, recently introduced six seasonal menu items featuring "Yeongam Honey Sweet Potato." The menu includes "Honey Sweet Potato Latte," "Honey Sweet Potato Ginger Cream Latte," "Honey Sweet Potato Ice Cream," "Honey Sweet Potato Fresh Cream Salt Bread," and "Honey Sweet Potato Coconut Salt Bread," among others.

Lotte Wellfood has expanded its product lineup using honey sweet potatoes from Gochang, North Jeolla Province. The company currently offers 12 products, including Custard Honey Sweet Potato Latte and Myungga Glutinous Rice Pie Honey Sweet Potato. Yonsei Dairy has also launched three sweet potato desserts, including Yonsei Milk Sweet Potato Fresh Cream Bread.

Provided by Yonsei Dairy.

The signature menu item, "Yonsei Milk Sweet Potato Fresh Cream Bread," is filled with sweet potato-flavored choux cream and topped with chewy sweet potato brulee mousse to capture the taste of roasted sweet potatoes. This product was officially launched this year, improved based on ideas directly suggested by consumers through Yonsei Dairy’s "Yonsei Bread Bread Campaign" last year.

A representative from Namyang Dairy Products said, "Seasonal core has established itself as a consumer trend that spans a wide range of consumers, from older generations who have traditionally enjoyed seasonal foods to Millennials & Gen Z who respond to limited-edition products. Next year, we expect to see a variety of seasonal core products, not only through new product launches but also through the renewal of existing brands."