Flavor Trends, Strategies and Solutions for Menu Development

Enter the Dragon Best of Flavor 2017

VDRAGON BOWL - PITAYA, MANGO, PINEAPPLE, COCONUT, RASPBERRIES, BANANA; TOPPED WITH ALMONDS, GOJI BERRIES, KIWI, STRAWBERRIES, HONEY, BEE POLLEN

As a “superfood café,” Vitality Bowls channels of-the-moment trends, such as açaí bowls, smoothies and juices, offering modern-day, nutrient-packed menu options galore, including an “immunity boost” add-in. The Dragon Bowl is one of the menu standouts for its key ingredient—dragon fruit—otherwise known as pitaya, a fruit indigenous to Central and South America, sometimes described as tasting like earthy watermelon.

“The Dragon Bowl has been one of our most popular menu items since bringing in the exotic dragon fruit, pitaya, as an addition to our menu,” says Uriah Blum, VP of Operations. “It’s bursting with exotic flavors. The pitaya is blended into a smoothie-like base with mango and coconut for tropical flavor, and raspberries for added tartness. The toppings—almonds and dried goji berries—add a crunchy texture to complement the sweet flavors of fresh strawberries, bee pollen and kiwi.”

“Many customers now build their own by using the base blend with their favorite toppings, like peanut butter, coconut shavings and hemp-flaxseed granola,” he notes. After the bowl proved to be a success, a dragon smoothie was added to the menu.

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