SAN LEANDRO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Torani, a leader in the flavor industry for 99 years, today announced the newest addition to its portfolio of more than 150 syrups and sauces: Torani Dragon Fruit Syrup.
Torani’s market research experts have observed an uptick in dragon fruit’s popularity in recent years, and for good reason. Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is a unique-looking fruit characterized by its textured bright pink or red outer skin. In contrast to its distinctive appearance, dragon fruit has a light, refreshing flavor with floral notes and is often likened to pear and kiwi. Torani Dragon Fruit Syrup is well-suited to layer with a variety of mainstream flavors to create a new and interesting combination of tastes.
While dragon fruit is native to Central America, today it is cultivated in many places around the world, including Vietnam, where it dates back to the early 1900s and has become a culinary staple. Torani developed its Dragon Fruit Syrup in partnership with one of the company’s “for-purpose” cafe partners and the first Vietnamese coffee shop in Kansas City, MO, Café Cà Phê. Torani food scientists and the team at Café Cà Phê collaborated throughout the development process, including the “Gold Standard” tasting, which tested several dragon fruit varieties and products to align with the desired flavor profile for the syrup. After capturing feedback on each prototype, Torani’s version of the flavor was honed into the final product, which is vibrant, succulent, and subtly sweet. Suggested applications for Torani Dragon Fruit Syrup include refreshers, energy drinks, flavored waters, cocktails, and iced coffees.
“The beauty of the dragon fruit flavor is that it’s so versatile. I would compare it to a kiwi blended with a pear – not too high in acidity or cloyingly sweet; just bright and refreshing,” said Andrea Ramirez, Consumer & Customer Market Insight Manager at Torani. “Café Cà Phê is even using Torani Dragon Fruit Syrup in a coffee application, which is quite unique and will be a brand-new taste experience for many customers.”
As dragon fruit continues to gain traction – according to Datassential, there was a 124% increase in dragon fruit appearing on U.S. menus between 2018 and 2022 – Torani is tapping into its growing popularity with consumers. Datassential notes that awareness of the flavor is particularly high among Gen Z, who have shown notable interest in “culinary tourism,” characterized by consumers exploring globally inspired cuisines from the comfort of home.
Dragon fruit flavor variations have become increasingly popular in the ready-to-drink space, including among well-known brands and products such as vitaminwater®, Snapple Elements®, Red Bull Green Edition®, and Starbucks Mango Dragonfruit Refreshers®. Beyond the beverage category, dragon fruit can be found in the frozen food aisle at mainstream retailers such as Target and Trader Joe’s, boosting consumer access to the diverse applications of this delicious tropical fruit.
Torani Dragon Fruit Syrup retails for $10.59 and is available to order now on Torani.com.
About Torani
Torani is deeply committed to being an amazing flavor company whose purpose is “flavor for all, opportunity for all.” Established in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood in 1925, Torani put Italian soda on the U.S. map in the 1920s and created the world's first flavored latte in the 1980s. From the beginning, the company has used only the best ingredients, like natural flavors and pure cane sugar, to craft flavors that are vibrant and delicious. Enjoyed in cafés, restaurants, and home kitchens around the world, Torani strives to inspire and lead flavor innovation globally while remaining a family-owned Bay Area business. In practice and life beyond the bottle, Torani is a certified B-Corp that believes businesses should create more opportunity, and is dedicated to helping all of the people, partners, and communities it touches thrive. Learn more at torani.com.
