Banana fragrances have been booming in the beauty market, while many food and beverage brands have been cooking up banana-infused launches this year, finds Kline + Company’s trend analytics team. Consumer interest has been piqued, with online worldwide searches for ‘banana perfume’ having climbed 58% and ‘banana coffee’ by 67% this July compared to last year July (average popularity index)
‘Banana Latte’ and ‘Banana Perfume’ Search Popularity Index, January 2022–January 2025
Source: Google Trends
From banana latte, banana exfoliator, banana fragrance, banana lip products, banana beer, and even banana–flavored cigars, bananas have been everywhere this summer. The variety of newly launched banana products is worth a more careful exploration: Starbucks has recently decided to trial banana protein cold foam (includes 15g of protein), while Baskin Robbins has announced ‘Blue Banana Brûlée’ as its flavor of the month for August to celebrate the new Smurfs movie. So, why are bananas everywhere, and why now?
PLAYFUL, LOUD + NOSTALGIC
The visual motif of a banana, a bright yellow, distinctive icon with a playful and summer-y association, is perfect to make an impact from afar. Many link it to their childhood, and more carefree days, e.g., banana Lip smackers and more recently, the minions. Nostalgia is a key factor, and its popularity has inspired brands to revive discontinued banana product flavors.
In Australia, Nesquik has announced the return of its banana flavor, which was last available 20 years ago. Similarly, Seoul Milk is re-releasing its Minos Banana Flavored Milk, which had been off the market since 2012, bottled in its original shape and label design. This revival taps both longtime fans and younger consumers drawn to ‘retro’ aesthetics.
COST + COMPOSITION
Nutritionally dense and one of the most affordable fruits on the supermarket aisle, bananas are an important staple ingredient during economic hardships, for consumers and brands alike. This combines favorably with its fiber and prebiotic content: both trending health ingredients. However, in the beauty world, the nutritional accolades of bananas can only help in lending the flavor a ‘health halo’… so what is the reason behind their renewed popularity in makeup and body care?
Consumers may have grown somewhat weary of the more well-referenced fruits in the beauty space (think cherry or strawberry). Banana offers an interesting, creamy texture to play with for marketers. The soft material of bananas may be inspiring beauty brands to include the scent in moisturizing formulas specifically.
KOREAN INFLUENCE + COLLABORATIONS
Cosmetics collaborations and international cultural links have helped raise bananas’ profile. The fruit’s popularity, especially in dairy, can be traced back to Korea, where banana milk is considered a classic drink. As K-beauty continues to rise and Korean stars flex their soft power across the world, trends like these have a ripple effect.
Jennie from BLACKPINK commenting on her favorite snacks in April resulted in a 69% jump in U.S. exports of Banana Kick and a 40% jump in domestic sales (April versus March), according to Pulse Korea. Ten years ago, Tony Moly’s lip balm launched, packaged in an iconic, attention-grabbing banana-shaped keychain. This made space for other brands to explore. More recently, Glossier has collaborated with Magnolia Bakery to launch a banana lip balm, and Prada has teased their new banana balm in Sabrina Carpenter’s video.
