Kerry sees consumers reaching for international, spicy cuisines

BELOIT, WIS. — International flavors, spiciness, bold and unusual flavor combinations, and orange chocolate, were identified as emerging trends in Kerry’s 2024 global taste charts, “A World of Future Tastes.” 

Such international cuisines as Filipino dishes have been some of the popular flavors emerging in the United States. In addition, Halo-Halo cocktails, ube burgers, and adobo chicken sandwiches are showing up on menus, Kerry said.

Consumers also are continuing to turn up the heat in dishes by adding spice to everyday foods, Kerry said. Spicy flavors are being added to cocktails, chocolate, honey and even sparkling waters. Spicy ingredients may include arbol peppers, gochugaru, and tajin seasonings.

Social media has younger consumers seeking bold and unusual flavor combinations and novelty. The flavors may range from sweet-savory pairings like bacon milkshakes, coffee infused with black garlic, and chocolate bars with wasabi, Kerry said.

Orange flavors are seeing an uptick among consumers in varietal and floral twists. Consumers also are seeking orange flavors due to its source of vitamin C, Kerry said.

The taste charts track flavor adoption and evolution around the world and provide a look at ingredients and trends that will affect innovation in the food and beverage industry, according to Kerry. The taste chart is a culmination of a year-long research project that includes a series of charts for 13 individual regional markets.

“The global exchange and dissemination of tastes and flavors through social media and travel is still in its infancy, and globalization in food, beverage and cuisine development make this a truly exciting time to be in the industry,” said Soumya Nair, global consumer research and insights director at Kerry. “Although rapidly changing times can present great challenges, they also provide an unparalleled opportunity for brands to catch an emerging trend on the rise. We are seeing many unique flavor intersections in foods and beverages, and Kerry is using technologies such as natural language processing, AI, social media and traditional consumer observation tools to stay ahead of the adoption curve, and to help customers navigate the emerging taste environment for products being developed in 2024.”