Driving Dairy Flavour Innovation at the 52nd Dairy Industry Conference (DIC 2026)
Keva Flavours is proud to be part of the 52nd Dairy Industry Conference (DIC-2026), organised by the Indian Dairy Association—one of the most influential platforms bringing together key stakeholders shaping the future of India’s dairy sector. Serving as a dynamic meeting ground for industry experts, innovators, and dairy professionals, DIC offers a valuable opportunity to exchange insights, understand evolving consumer expectations, and explore the trends driving growth across dairy categories.
At this year’s conference, held from 12–14 February 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, Keva Flavours showcased its specialised flavour innovations designed to enhance a wide range of dairy applications. From indulgent ice creams and flavoured milk to refreshing lassi and convenient instant tea formats, the portfolio reflects Keva’s commitment to aligning with modern taste preferences while supporting product differentiation in a competitive marketplace.
Through its participation, Keva continues to strengthen industry collaborations—demonstrating how taste precision, application expertise, and trend-led innovation come together to create impactful dairy experiences for today’s evolving consumers.
Ice Cream Innovations That Spoke to the New-Age Consumer
In today’s evolving dairy landscape, ice cream is no longer just about indulgence—it’s about experience, exploration, and emotional connection. With Gen Z and millennial consumers actively seeking flavours that reflect global influence while staying rooted in familiarity, the focus is shifting toward formats that offer both novelty and nostalgia in every scoop.
Keeping this in mind, Keva Flavours showcased a thoughtfully curated range of innovative ice cream concepts designed to appeal to these dynamic taste preferences. Creations such as Pista Kunafa ice cream brought together the richness of pista with the indulgent appeal of Middle Eastern-inspired desserts—perfectly aligning with the growing interest in fusion flavours. Peach Apricot ice cream offered a refreshing take on fruity indulgence, catering to consumers exploring lighter yet flavourful dairy treats inspired by contemporary taste trends.
Balancing this global inspiration with local familiarity, Masala Milk Ice Cream reimagined a traditional Indian favourite in a modern dessert format—resonating strongly with millennials who appreciate nostalgic flavours presented in new and exciting ways. Coffee Ice Cream, inspired by the rising café culture, delivered a bold and comforting profile that reflects the everyday indulgences of younger audiences. Meanwhile, Pina Colada Ice Cream introduced a tropical twist, appealing to consumers drawn toward travel-inspired, experiential flavour journeys.
The response from visitors was highly positive, with many appreciating the way these flavours combined authenticity with innovation. Each concept demonstrated how classic dairy formats like ice cream can be elevated through thoughtful flavour design, transforming them into trend forward offerings that meet the expectations of today’s indulgence seeking consumers.
Reimagining Flavoured Milk through an Ethnic Lens
Flavoured milk in India tells a compelling story of evolution. Once viewed largely as a childhood favourite, it has grown into a vibrant and fast-expanding dairy segment that blends nutrition, indulgence, and convenience. As consumers increasingly seek healthier beverage alternatives, flavoured milk is perceived as a wholesome and thirst-quenching option that delivers both refreshment and nourishment. Its ready-to-drink format fits seamlessly into busy urban lifestyles, school breaks, travel, and on-the-go occasions, making it a practical and feel-good dairy choice.
As interest rises in culturally rooted yet contemporary dairy experiences, flavoured milk is moving beyond simple refreshment to become a canvas for tradition-inspired innovation. Keva Flavours showcased its expertise in crafting ethnic profiles that resonate deeply with regional preferences, bringing authenticity and emotional familiarity into ready-to-drink dairy applications.
A saffron-infused almond milk profile took centre stage, conveying richness and comfort often associated with heritage wellness drinks. This was complemented by concepts inspired by the sweet, rose petal preserve notes of Gulkand, reminiscent of traditional after-meal indulgences, creating a nostalgic and indulgent milk experience. A spiced celebratory dairy blend inspired by Thandai, echoing festive cooler-style beverages, delivered warmth through layered aromatic nuances of nuts and botanicals.
Balancing these heritage-led creations, a vibrant strawberry-forward dairy concept introduced a playful and energetic twist, appealing to younger consumers seeking fruit-driven refreshment with a contemporary edge. As a fruit known for its limited seasonal availability, strawberry presents challenges in maintaining authentic taste consistency throughout the year. Keva brings the true flavour of this delicate fruit to life through carefully crafted profiles that ensure freshness, balance, and sensory authenticity beyond its natural season. Together, these flavour directions highlight Keva’s ability to reinterpret traditional and modern taste cues into scalable flavoured milk solutions tailored for today’s evolving dairy market.
Lassi Innovations Blending Tradition with Contemporary Taste
Lassi, a time honoured dairy favourite, continues to hold strong cultural relevance while evolving to meet the expectations of modern consumers seeking variety and refreshment in familiar formats. Keva Flavours presented innovative lassi concepts that bring together traditional inspiration and contemporary flavour exploration, redefining this classic beverage for today’s dynamic palates.
A vibrant medley of mixed berry notes introduced a refreshing twist to the traditional lassi base, appealing to younger audiences who enjoy fruity, layered taste experiences in their everyday dairy indulgences. Complementing this was a delicately balanced rose and kewra infused profile, inspired by floral elements deeply rooted in Indian culinary traditions, offering a soothing and aromatic experience that reflects both heritage and sophistication.
Starting Conversations with Instant Tea Infused with Saffron and Cardamom
n India, tea is more than just a beverage; it is a daily ritual that brings people together through shared moments of comfort and conversation. As lifestyles become increasingly fast paced, instant tea is emerging as a convenient way to enjoy this familiarity without compromise.
Keva Flavours presented instant tea concepts featuring two of the most loved chai notes, crafted using carefully selected natural flavour formats. A cardamom led profile delivered the warm, gently spiced character of traditional chai, while a saffron infused blend added a subtle layer of richness, bringing a premium touch to modern, ready to prepare tea formats.
Your Innovative Partner in Dairy Flavour Development
Keva Flavours continues to advance the boundaries of taste innovation through its participation in DIC 2026—reinforcing its position as a trusted partner for the evolving dairy sector. With a focused portfolio spanning key applications such as ice cream, flavoured milk, lassi, and instant tea, Keva remains dedicated to developing flavour solutions that align with changing consumer lifestyles and category-specific demands.
Beyond crafting distinctive taste experiences, Keva brings deep insight into emerging dairy trends and regional preferences. From culturally inspired profiles to convenience-led formats and clean label considerations, our approach is rooted in creating flavours that not only enhance product appeal but also meet modern expectations around quality and authenticity.
To explore our comprehensive range of dairy-focused flavour innovations, download our product brochure. If you couldn’t connect with us at DIC 2026, feel free to reach out at connect.flavours@keva.co.in to learn more about how our solutions can support your next product development journey.
Browse our blogs for expert perspectives, trend insights, and inspiration for your future-ready dairy innovations.
ArrayKeva has an extensive flavour shop for various food and beverage applications, besides a team of expert flavourists and food technologists for creating custom flavours and matches. To partner with us, contact Keva today.
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The statements, views, thoughts and opinions expressed on blog or social media are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Keva Flavours or its parent organisation. The company does not take any responsibility for the views of the author.