As a global leader in flavour, McCormick ® has been on the forefront of identifying emerging culinary trends with our signature Flavour Forecast ®.
This annual look at the future of flavour plays a distinctive role in sparking a spirit of discovery worldwide. Since 2000, the McCormick® Flavour Forecast® has pinpointed top trends and flavours—a hallmark of our passion for flavour. From those on the verge of widespread appeal to subtle undercurrents just beginning to materialize, these culinary drivers have potential to alter the innovation landscape for the future.
To develop this report, McCormick assembles a dynamic group of our experts—chefs, culinary kitchens, sensory scientists, dietitians, trend trackers, marketing experts and food technologists—from locations around the globe. It involves a year-long process of culinary exploration, data discovery and insight development.
What follows are five trends with flavour combinations that illustrate how these trends are coming to life through taste. They highlight the world’s evolving and intensely personal approach to food—and will shape the way we eat in the year ahead and beyond.
In a rational rebellion against the “always-on” mindset of modern life, food lovers are making the conscious choice to stop and enjoy the moment. This unapologetic escape from everyday demands is a necessary break, a chance to savor each detail of the eating experience.
Diving headfirst into sumptuous flavours, we are staking our claim to the pleasures we crave and the satisfaction we deserve until, finally, all seems right with the world.
Featured Dish: Charred orange sorbet with warm rum sauce & spiced cookie bars
In a mouthwatering expression of identity and pride, home cooks and chefs are expanding a hands-on approach to food by personally crafting and perfecting signature ingredients and recipes.
They take pleasure in this pursuit and are confident that by putting in a little extra time and effort, they can deliver the truest flavours and showcase the very best of themselves. Communities of like-minded enthusiasts are coming together around this craft to share vibrant, authentic eating experience.
Featured Dish: Rosemary smoked tomato jam with poached egg
People are shifting their relationship with food to make it more thoughtful, personal and connected to their overall health. Picking and choosing from diverse eating plans, they achieve “Food Zen” through a highly personalized, flexible approach that can change from day to day or even from meal to meal. After years of extremes and feeling out of control about food, they are empowered by this more sustainable lifestyle—and finally finding harmony in “what’s right for me”.
Featured Dish: Swiss chard salad with blackberry-clove vinaigrette
To uncover the possibilities locked within ingredients, food lovers are liberating stunning flavours from produce to proteins. They are artfully transforming underutilized parts like leaves, stems and less familiar cuts of meat into extraordinary meals. Creative cooking methods, a passion for discovery and a “waste-not” mentality drive this effort to coax full flavours out of every last part of the ingredient.
Featured Dish: Steamed mussels & artichokes with hazelnut gremolata
Food fans are exploring a new way of cooking and eating inspired not by traditional global cuisines, but by individual ingredients valued for their unique flavours. While still identified with particular cultures, these ingredients are no longer being limited to their native uses. Cooks are seamlessly incorporating these worldly elements into everyday cooking in a personalized tribute to iconic regional taste experiences.
Featured Dish: Chicken tamales with katsu picante sauce
We stopped by Jin Bar to hear more of her incredible journey towards becoming Calgary’s Korean comfort go-to. View Culinary Connections for more.
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We met with Chef Kagoro at Chakalaka to find out more about his Zimbabwean cuisine, and how he’s managed to spread love & flavour in this difficult time. View Culinary Connections for more.
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