CERRITOS, CA — Global flavors have made their mark across the food space in recent years. This trend is growing in food establishments across the US as the days grow long and temperatures start to rise. To help bakers and foodservice operators prepare, T. Hasegawa has outlined the top 10 flavors of the season in its “2026 Summer Flavors Report.”
The report offers a look at 10 flavor profiles on the rise this summer, including five sweet and five savory. From indulgent to spicy to somewhere in between, these ingredients can spur inspiration for retail bakers looking to shake up what’s in their bakery cases.
On the sweet side, one returning flavor combo is Firework. Most often seen in the freezer aisle, this combination of cherry, lime and blue raspberry nods to the colors on the US flag. The country’s upcoming 250th anniversary is making this variety even more popular.
“With our nation’s 250th anniversary and the World Cup now in North America, global cuisine and regional pride will converge on our restaurant menus, grocery store shelves and pantries like never before,” said Mark Webster, VP of sales and marketing at T. Hasegawa USA. “As consumer preferences evolve, food and beverage brands are uniquely positioned to have fun and leverage bold and nuanced flavors to capitalize on the excitement this summer brings.”
Several fruits are also surging in use this season. Prickly pear, white peach and blackberry offer distinct notes that can refine various products, while sweetcorn offers a nostalgic accent to desserts and beverages, nodding to carnival-style comfort. According to T. Hasegawa, more than half of US dessert and candy eaters have already tried a sweetcorn-flavored treat.
Of the savory standouts, guajillo and spicy coconut jump out as opportunities for bakers to shake up their baked goods with something unexpected. The former, commonly seen in Mexican dishes, blends spicy chili with a hint of sweetness, appealing to nearly half of global consumers who expressed interest in bold flavors. The latter, denoted by a combination of creamy notes and spice, draws inspiration from foods in South Asia, Brazil and Jamaica. Both “swicy” options can offer an unexpected experience in offerings like pastries.
The report also noted several consumer patterns, including interest from 64% of US consumers for more international products in their local grocery stores and insight that traditional and nostalgic flavors influence food and beverage choices for 44% of US and Canadian consumers.
Visit the T. Hasegawa website to view the full report.
