Flavorchem unveils 2025-26 flavor and trend forecast

Consumers desire premium ingredients in everyday meals.

Photo credit Pexels / Leigh Patrick

Emerging food trends reveal a strong dichotomy as consumers strive to balance health with indulgence. This shift reflects a more personalized approach to wellness and purpose-driven ingredients addressing diverse health goals. At the same time, consumers are embracing indulgent, feel-good products for comfort, while growing an appetite for culinary exploration fuels interest in global flavors and elevated taste experiences.

After keeping a close eye on the newest product releases, market intelligence reports, data sources, and social media buzz, Flavorchem, a global flavor and ingredient supplier, has released its 6^th annual Flavor & Trend Forecast.

Insights from the Flavor & Trend Forecast include:

Feel Good Food: Consumers are embracing small indulgences to uplift mood and find comfort in everyday moments, recognizing the broad benefits of treating themselves. In response, brands are modernizing nostalgic favorites by reimaging childhood favorites, comfort foods, vintage drinks, and traditional sweets into playful new formats. Indulgent flavors are also merging with functional ingredients like superfoods, plant-based proteins, and adaptogens for a nutritious treat.
Liquid Wellness: The next wave of functional beverages will spotlight purpose-driven ingredients targeting specific wellness goals, such as cognitive support, enhanced hydration, and skin health. Beverage brands are incorporating performance-enhancing botanicals to support mental well-being, advanced electrolyte blends for all-day hydration, and marine collagen to promote skin vitality and beauty from within.
Craft Gourmand: A renewed enthusiasm for cooking is fueling a wave of innovative, high-quality product launches that cater to the growing desire for luxury in everyday meals. Incorporating premium ingredients like truffle oil, exotic spices, and specialty oils, along with embracing an artisanal approach, has become a staple in home cooking, reflecting restaurant-quality dining. Emerging international flavors, like unique global peppers and Korean cuisine, are becoming mainstream as consumers seek global tastes at home.

On Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 11:00 am CST, Flavorchem experts will reveal the top food and beverage trends set to emerge in the comings years and offer an exclusive look into its 2025/26 Flavor & Trend Forecast. Interested attendees can sign up here.