HUNT VALLEY, MD — The 2026 Flavor of the Year, according to McCormick, will bring a sweet-and-tart taste to customer palates. In its annual “Flavor Forecast 2026,” the spice brand named black currant as the flavor to watch for the upcoming year.
Originating from central and northern Europe and northern Asia, the berry lends a purple hue and flavor profile that’s sweet, tangy, earthy and herbal. McCormick anticipates the ingredient, with applications including jams and desserts, will gain traction on a global scale.
“Black Currant is the next ‘it’ berry on the scene,” said Tabata Gomez, CMO at McCormick. “For 26 years, McCormick and Flavor Forecast have been ahead of the intersection of food and culture. This year we’re doing more than predicting a flavor; we’re having a year-long celebration of black currant, a bold, sophisticated flavor that combines sweet with savory and elevates the experience of any dish.”
McCormick’s annual trend report outlined three culinary trends experts can heed. For bakers, two of these are likely to support upcoming innovations.
The “Attainable Opulence” item reflects growing interest in introducing elevated flavors into day-to-day applications rather than saving them for special occasions. On the other hand, the “Simple to Spectacular” celebrates the impact of simple, high-quality ingredients assembled with ample technique and time.
Other companies, including Pinterest and Dawn Foods, curated lists of trends anticipated for the new year, ranging from popular flavors and aesthetics on the rise to an assortment of attributes customers are seeking from their baked goods.
