17-07-2025
Evolving Taste Preferences Drive Demand for Global Dessert Flavours in India
India, 16th June , 2025 : From Biscoff to Hokey Pokey, Indian dessert menus are beginning to resemble those of European cafés more than they do traditional Indian sweet shops. Once dominated by kulfi, rasmalai, and laddoos, India's ice cream market is evolving rapidly, as global flavours gain mass-market appeal across cities, towns, and even tier-2 markets.
According to a 2023 report by IMARC Group, India's ice cream market, currently valued at over ₹21,000 crore and growing at a CAGR of 13.5%, with consumer demand increasingly driven by taste experimentation, travel exposure, and global culinary influence. Food aggregators report a 60% rise in dessert orders featuring 'non-Indian' flavours over the past two years, led by cheesecake variants, cookie-infused recipes, and indulgent European-style flavour profiles.
Food trend analyst Priya Sharma attributes the shift to rising global exposure: 'Urban and semi-urban consumers are exposed to a wider range of global cuisine through social media, international travel, and OTT content. This is directly influencing their dessert choices. A decade ago, a flavour like Ruby Cheese may have sounded too experimental. Today, it sparks curiosity and is seen as premium.'
A striking example of this trend is Dumont Creamery , based in Vijayawada, whose product R&D team has developed more than 300 unique flavours over the past five years ranging from globally inspired innovations like globally inspired flavours like Hokey Pokey (a toffee-based classic from New Zealand), Ruby Cheese (a creamy European innovation), and Biscoff (Belgium's iconic caramelised biscuit) to locally rooted variations like Nuzividu Mango, Filter Coffee, Jackfruit and Chikoo. While the brand began with traditional offerings, the bulk of its recent sales growth, according to internal insights, is being driven by a combination of a global-meets-local approach.
Importantly, this global flavour trend doesn't come at the cost of local identity. Brands like Dumont maintain strong ties to regional sourcing and Indian taste preferences. 'It's about striking a balance of introducing global flavours while celebrating our roots,' says a Dumont spokesperson. 'We use locally grown fruits like Chikoo and Mango, even as we innovate with flavours that someone might discover during a trip abroad.'
This demand is not limited to metros. Even in smaller cities like Karimnagar, Mysuru, and Vizag, global dessert influences are shaping everyday indulgences through local brands that adapt international profiles to Indian palates, often combining sweet and spicy notes or adjusting sugar levels. Biscoff-based treats are now staples in dessert cafés and mainstream QSR chains, enjoyed alongside classic Indian flavours.
Retail data supports this shift. A NielsenIQ study found that ice cream products featuring global flavour cues sold 2.2 times faster than traditional variants in 2022–23. These figures align with broader consumption shifts where novelty, storytelling, and aspirational quality increasingly influence buying decisions.
What was once considered niche or novel is now mainstream and in many cases, preferred. As Indian consumers continue to embrace international flavours while staying rooted in local traditions, the line between local and global taste is melting fast.
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