The annual mental health poll from the American Psychiatric Association shows that anxiety is on the rise, with an estimated 43% of adult respondents reporting they feel more anxious than the year before. While the food industry can’t do much to address complicated stressors related to current events, politics, and so on, restaurateurs and food manufacturers can take strides to help consumers cope.
Foods and beverages soothe the senses and help people enjoy life for a little while. Meals that surprise, stimulate, and satisfy may boost mood, and that could be exactly what consumers are craving in the coming year.
So how can businesses give people what they want and still meet their own goals in the process? Here are some new and emerging flavors to explore in 2025.
Trending Flavors
People are dealing with a constant bombardment of potential stressors related to 24/7 connectivity. The right flavors can offer a positive counterpoint, stimulating the senses in pleasurable ways.
Perhaps this is why bright, energizing citrus flavors remain a popular choice for consumers. Yuzu has been on the radar for the last few years, while calamansi limes, popular in Filipino cooking, are emerging in American cuisine. These tart citrus fruits are frequently used in sauces and marinades or to add zest to dessert dishes and even meat or pasta mains.
Tamarind, another fruit native to Asia and Africa, is also gaining interest in the U.S. With sweet and sour flavors, tamarind is prominent in Indian and Thai cuisine, especially in dishes like pad Thai, curries, and sauces and dressings. It also adds complexity to beverages like sodas and teas.
Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend featuring oregano, thyme, marjoram, and toasted sesame seeds, as well as tangy sumac. This warm spice blend is most associated with its use in flatbreads like man’oushe, but it can add gustatory interest to grilled meats and veggies.
Related: Exploring the Top Flavor Trends of 2024: What’s Shaping Our Palates This Year?
Unexpected Flavor Pairings
Pairing sweet and salty flavors has long been a winning combination in the food industry, but with the growing influence of Asian cuisines over the past few years, it seems that the American palate is starting to lean into savory flavors. It’s no surprise, then, that sweet and savory combos are heating up.
Rich, indulgent flavor pairings are particularly drawing attention. Instead of sea salt and chocolate, think wild berries and fresh herbs like basil or thyme. This could add innovative appeal to rich meat dishes or make for tasty beverages or desserts.
On the dessert front, spicy flavors are making headway. Hot honey continues to dominate in new and interesting ways, with desserts like hot honey peanut butter oatmeal cookies, ice cream sundaes, and even pumpkin pie. Consider adding peppery flavors to classics like sea salt caramels as well.
Unique Use of Ingredients
In 2024, exotic fruit beverages were all the rage. Expect mango, guava, passion fruit, and other exotic fruits to continue showing up in beverages, desserts, sauces, salads, and meat dishes in the coming year, with a particular emphasis on health benefits associated with vitamins and antioxidants.
Botanicals and floral notes like jasmine, elderflower, honeysuckle, and lavender may also make appearances in teas and cocktails, not to mention desserts, sauces, and savory dishes. These ingredients offer soothing properties and create surprising flavor complexity in a variety of dishes.
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Striking a Balance Is Key
Pleasing a consumer market mired in stress is no easy feat. The trick in 2025 may be to find a balance with dishes that simultaneously soothe and stimulate. Businesses that hit the mark could serve as a calm port in a storm of widespread uncertainty.
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