Food and Beverage Companies Target Consumers Amid the 'Seasonal-core' Craze Among People in Their 20s and 30s

[Financial News] The 'Seasonal-core' trend—a combination of seasonal ingredients and the 'core' trend—is gaining traction, particularly among people in their 20s and 30s. 
According to Naver Data Lab on the 4th, searches for the term 'Seasonal-core' surged 50% from the same period a year earlier. During the same period, Google search traffic for the term rose by more than 20%, further fueling the craze. On social media platforms frequently used by people in their 20s and 30s, posts related to Seasonal-core and seasonal trends increased 40%, from 250,000 to 360,000.
Analysts say this trend is closely tied to the ongoing Healthy Pleasure craze, which promotes enjoyable approaches to health management.
The trend of pursuing health in everyday life through low-sugar and nonalcoholic products has spread, followed by continued demand for tasty, healthy seasonal foods instead of instant meals. Seasonal ingredients can also be used in a variety of distinctive colors and combinations, giving them strong appeal on social media.
The restaurant and retail industries are responding quickly. They are using ingredients harvested only during specific seasons to create limited-edition products and attract consumers.
Starbucks introduced the Castella Sweet Potato Latte, a reinterpretation of sweet potatoes, a signature autumn ingredient, along with a Mont Blanc cake made with Korean-grown chestnuts. The Castella Sweet Potato Latte is a caffeine-free beverage made with a base of Muan County roasted sweet potato sauce mixed with milk, topped with castella powder and chewy pearl toppings.
Shinsegae Food launched two limited-edition bakery products featuring fresh figs at bakery stores in Emart and Traders locations nationwide, seeking to gain an early lead in the market. This year's figs have drawn considerable attention as a seasonal autumn fruit because abundant sunlight during an unusually hot summer increased their sugar content. With subtle sweetness, soft flesh and a pleasantly crunchy texture, figs are being used in a variety of cafe and bakery products and have become a familiar ingredient among younger consumers.
Other coffee franchises are also seeking to differentiate themselves by modernizing their menus with traditional ingredients. Caffè Pascucci has expanded its beverage lineup with black sesame and other ingredients. EDIYA COFFEE has joined the effort to win over autumn tastes by spotlighting pistachios.
An industry official said, "As more consumers seek out ingredients at their most delicious in each season, desserts made with seasonal fruit and other ingredients continue to gain popularity, and competition among industry players to get ahead in the Seasonal-core trend—satisfying both the mood of the season and the culinary experience—will become even fiercer."
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