America has always been a melting pot of heritage, culture, and cuisine, but the growth of communications technologies has spurred an increasingly connected global community, one that trades not only in news but also in culture and cuisine. Social media food trends come and go almost daily, fueling a rise in both the availability of and demand for international products and exotic foods, especially in recent years.
The trend continues today, with global influences driving product development and gustatory innovation. For restaurants and food manufacturers, understanding how to capitalize on these global cuisine trends to bring new flavors to American consumers is key.
Regional Asian Spices
Asian ingredients continue to make headway in American markets. While yuzu has steadily gained popularity over the past few years, calamansi limes are the latest citrus to start popping up in a number of areas, including:
-
Beverages
-
Sauces
-
Marinades
-
Soups
-
Stews
-
Desserts
Sichuan peppercorns are another ingredient making a splash in the culinary landscape. These tiny berries have a citrusy flavor and deliver a unique, tingling sensation when consumed. Considered a flavor enhancer, Sichuan peppercorns are often found in chocolate and other desserts, or they can be sprinkled over cooked meats or added to sauces.
Pandan, a tropical plant from Southeast Asia, is also gaining ground. The fragrant leaves are crushed to make a paste or powder that has a mildly sweet, herbal, and nutty flavor, with hints of coconut, vanilla, and grass.
This plant is typically used in beverages and baked goods — like how you might use vanilla extract — and its bright green hue adds vibrant color to many applications.
Haven't joined our community? For the latest insights delivered straight to your inbox, Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter here!
African-Inspired Sauces
Spices and spice blends from different regions of Africa also continue to draw consumer attention, with options like harissa, peri-peri, and niter kibbeh showing up in restaurants and packaged products.
Harissa, found primarily in Northern Africa, is a paste or powder featuring roasted peppers, garlic, cumin, and coriander. Like sriracha, it can add heat to soups, stews, meats, and rice or noodle dishes.
Found in South African cuisine, peri-peri is a type of chili pepper often added to sauces, although peri-peri chicken is probably the best-known dish using this ingredient.
The less known niter kibbeh is clarified butter spiced with ingredients like besobela, fenugreek, cumin, and coriander, along with sweeter spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom. Popular in Ethiopian cooking, it’s typically used for frying, browning meats, or as a base for sauces.
Related: New and Emerging Flavors in Food and Beverages for 2025
Leveraging International Flavors
Businesses that want to incorporate exciting international flavors into their menus and packaged goods should consider several factors. First and foremost, there’s the question of introducing American audiences to traditional dishes from the country of origin versus working them into recipes Americans already know and love as a way of putting a new spin on classics — think harissa burgers or honey harissa wings.
It’s also important to consider the implications of any concerns of cultural appropriation, which may not match with your core values or appeal to customers. One way to overcome this is to partner with native spice or product manufacturers, gaining authenticity in the process.
Alternatively, you can add menu or packaging information about spice origins to educate consumers and acknowledge the country or culture of origin.
New Global-Inspired Flavors Continue to Shine
The American appetite for exotic flavors is not expected to wane any time soon. If anything, consumers may be more interested in trying new flavors than ever before. Businesses that want to gain ground can stay on trend by keeping up with the latest Asian and African spices to capture consumer imagination.
Have questions or want more trend insights? Get in touch with us today! Contact us here.