As manufacturers navigate an ever-changing market, one trend stands out: flavor-forward vapes. Nearly 60% of today’s vape consumers prioritize flavor in their purchasing decisions. That means innovating with flavor has never been more important (Headset).

Who Is Purchasing Flavor-Forward Vapes?

Flavor-forward vapes are most popular with the largest and fastest-growing consumer groups: Gen Z and Millennials. Together, this group (roughly aged 21-43) makes up 70.8% of all vape pen sales (Headset). Gen Z is the fastest-growing cannabis consumer group (Headset). They are also the first to prefer vape pens over other applications (Green Market Reports).

Here’s why these groups are seeking out flavor-forward vapes:

1. Approachability: Bold, fun flavors like Strawberry Jelly or Cotton Candy make cannabis less intimidating for new users.
2. Desire for Novelty: These consumers choose unique flavors over traditional cannabis flavor profiles.
3. Emotional Connection: Nostalgic and indulgent flavors resonate with this culturally-conscious group.

Other generations, on the other hand, prefer products that emphasize the authentic flavor of the cannabis plant. This difference highlights the importance of creating a diverse portfolio to reach all customer types.

Current Flavor Trends

According to Mintel, flavored vapes now account for nearly 70% of all vape sales. Here’s what’s trending now in flavor-forward cannabis vapes:

Fruity Favorites

• Top Flavors: Strawberry, Mango, Blueberry, and Pineapple
• Market Insight: Strawberry-flavored vapes are the best-sellers, making up 18% of the flavored vape market (BDSA). What’s more, Strawberry is one of the few flavors with no year-over-year dip in sales in any market.

Citrus Flavors

• Top Flavors: Lemon, Orange, and Grapefruit
• Market Insight: Limonene-dominant flavors account for 15% of flavored vape sales

Sweet, Dessert, and Nostalgic Flavors

• Top Flavors: Sugar Cookie, Cotton Candy, Ice Cream Cake
• Market Insight: Dessert-inspired flavors have seen 22% year-over-year growth

Exotic and Novel Flavors

• Top Flavors: Dragon Fruit, Lychee, and Passionfruit
• Market Insight: Niche flavors are showing rapid growth, with a 30% increase in sales over the past year (Headset).

What’s Next in Flavor-Forward Vapes?

Looking forward, cannabis vape flavor trends are being shaped by insights from the food, beverage, and nicotine vape industries. Here’s what to watch for:

Tropical and Exotic Flavors

• Prediction: Mango, Pineapple, Guava, and Passionfruit will dominate.
• Drivers: Popularity of tropical flavors in the ready-to-drink beverage market. Consumer desire for novelty and escape. High appeal to younger demographics

Nostalgic and Fantasy Flavors

• Prediction: Flavors like Cereal Milk, Atomic Pop, Pineapple Whip, and Cotton Candy will continue to rise in popularity.

1. Expect continued demand for sweet, nostalgic flavors, particularly those with a modern twist (Food Business News)
2. Sweet flavors have a nostalgic and comforting appeal, encouraging repeat purchases

Dessert & Indulgent Flavors

• Prediction: Sweet flavors like Sugar Cookie, Churroz, and Pineapple Upside Down Cake will have a seat at the table.
• Drivers: Growing demand for sweet, comforting flavors. Crossover trends from the nicotine vape space. Ideal for evening and recreational use

Citrus + Berry Blends

• Prediction: Blended flavors like Strawberry Lemonade and Cherry Limeade will gain traction.
• Drivers: The growing “flavor fusion” trend in food and vape industries. Blends offer a balance of tartness and sweetness that appeals to a wide audience and reduces decision fatigue

Product Concepts to Target the Flavor-Forward Vape Consumer

The Flavor-Seeker

• Infuse Distillate With: Flavor-Forward Botanical Terpenes like Pineapple Whip, Strawberry Jelly, Cotton Candy, Lychee Dream, Churroz, Atomic Pop
• Market As: Max Flavor + Strain Specific. Include strain name, flavor notes, and terpene education to connect flavor to the consumer experience

The Flavor Trailblazer

• Infuse Distillate or Extract With: Live Resin Terpenes + Infused Strains or Flavors. Suggested Blends: Super Lemon Haze + Lemonade Kush; Jack + Strawberry Jelly; Papayaz + Papaya Punch
• Market As: Live Resin Infused + Max Flavor. Include strain name, flavor notes, and terpene education to connect flavor to the consumer experience. Include terpene percentage for the live resin consumer looking for a full spectrum experience

What flavors will lead your next launch? Now’s the time to get inspired and explore bold new possibilities.

Article from LinkedIn: True Terpenes