In recent years, the “refreshing” flavor trend has seen a significant surge in demand across global and Indonesian markets. In the beverage, consumers—especially Millennials and Gen Z—seek a cooling sensation that delivers instant refreshment, both to quench thirst and to balance tropical heat. Market research data indicate that the minty flavors category in RTD beverages, sodas, and energy drinks grows by an average of 8–12% per year in Southeast Asia.

Not only in beverages, but the snack and confectionery categories have also recorded increased interest in mint variants. Examples include mint candies, mint chocolate, and mint-flavored bakery products now prominently displayed on supermarket shelves. In Indonesia, this phenomenon is reinforced by fusion menu variants such as mint chocolate chip ice cream, mint-lime mocktails, and mint-cucumber-infused water widely offered in urban cafés. These global and local trends confirm that refreshing flavors never go out of style. They continually evolve to match modern consumers’ desire for both a cooling effect and a distinctive taste.

Profile of Mint Flavor’s Sensory Characteristics

Mint flavor has distinct characteristics that make it easily recognizable and highly appealing. Here is a summary of its sensory profile:

• Primary Aroma: A cold, clean, and highly refreshing mint character that gives a “fresh” impression from the first contact.
• Top Notes: Sharp, striking menthol combined with light herbal nuances like peppermint or spearmint, which quickly stimulate the olfactory senses.
• Middle Notes: A soft, soothing “breathing” character. The mint feels gentle rather than aggressive, balancing the cooling sensation with the herbal aroma.
• After-taste: A thorough cooling effect that lingers without bitterness. This cooling sensation spreads evenly to the tongue’s tip, leaving a lasting fresh impression.

The combination of sharp menthol notes, light herbal nuances, and a clean after-taste makes mint flavor ideal for imparting a revitalizing vibe across various products.

Applications Across Various Products

Beverages

• Ready-to-Drink Mint Teas (RTD Tea): Green or black tea with mint extract for a refreshing sensation, ideal for PET bottles and cans.
• Infused Water: Premium bottled water infused with dried mint leaves or fresh mint concentrate, offering a healthy hydration option with natural aroma.
• Lemonade & Mocktails: Mint-lime or mint-lemon blends for non-alcoholic mocktails with maximum cooling effect.
• Cocktails & Mixology: Mojito, mint julep, or mint gin tonic—mint concentrates simplify consistent cocktail creation at bars and for home mixologists.
• Soda & Sparkling Beverages: Carbonated soft drinks with mint flavor, such as mint soda or mint tonic water, delivering both fizzy and cooling sensations.
• Energy Drinks: A mint-menthol formula providing refreshing energy and focus, popular among professionals and athletes.

Desserts & Snacks

• Ice Cream & Sorbet: Mint chocolate chip ice cream or light mint sorbet, perfect as an after-meal dessert.
• Pudding & Mousse: Creamy mint pudding or white-chocolate mint mousse, ideal for dessert cups.
• Yogurt & Panna Cotta: Greek yogurt infused with mint extract or mint milk panna cotta, offering a light taste with herbal accents.
• Dessert Cups: Layered dessert cups featuring mint jelly and mint cream, providing both texture and aroma experiences.

Confectionery & Bakery

• Mint Candies & Chewing Gum: Hard mint candy, soft peppermint gum, and spearmint bubble gum.
• Mint-Coated Dark Chocolate: Dark chocolate with a mint ganache layer, combining bittersweet and cooling notes elegantly.
• Cakes, Cupcakes & Macarons: Mint chiffon cake, mint-cream cupcakes, ganache-filled mint macarons, and crispy oat-mint cookies.
• Cookies: Shortbread cookies with dried mint flakes or menthol micro-crystals for crunch and cooling.

Health & Wellness Products

• Toothpaste-Flavored Gummies & Lozenges: Mint gummies for fresh breath and herbal mint lozenges to soothe the throat.
• Mouthwash Premix: Mint-flavored powder or concentrate for mouthwash, delivering a clean sensation after rinsing.
• Smoothie Bowls & Granola Bars: Smoothie bowls topped with mint-infused coconut flakes and granola bars scented with mint for a revitalizing flavor.

Collaboration with Falmont Flavors

Partnering with Falmont Flavors, a leading flavor company in Asia, will elevate your mint flavor innovations. Falmont is equipped with R&D center and an experienced team of flavorists who understand mint’s nuances. They can design tailor-made formulas aligned with your product positioning, from wellness lines and premium desserts to functional beverages. Falmont ensures a smooth transition from small-scale trials to mass production without hefty capital investments. Their clean-label expertise and compliance with international regulations guarantee consistent flavor profiles in every batch, supporting your product quality claims in global markets.