McCormick Unveils Emerging Flavor Trends

Flavor company McCormick & Company, Incorporated has unveiled its annual McCormick Flavour Forecast, revealing emerging trends.

Among the expected trends is a spotlight on underexplored Southeast Asian fare – Malaysian and Filipino – and the evolution of consumers' appetite for spicy. Also featured are pulses which serve as a protein-packed canvas– fitting as the UN celebrates 2016 as the International Year of the Pulse.

Since its inception in 2000, Flavour Forecast has been tracking the growing interest in heat and identifying upcoming spicy flavours including chipotle, peri-peri and harissa. The latest report shows the next wave of this trend is complemented by tang, such as Southeast Asian sambal sauce.

Emerging Trends and Flavours
Identified by a global team of McCormick chefs, food technologists and flavour experts, these trends offer a taste of 2016 and beyond:

1. Heat + Tang – Spicy finds a welcome contrast with tangy accents.
   -Peruvian chilies like rocoto, aj amarillo and aj panca paired with lime
   -Sambal sauce made with chilies, rice vinegar and garlic 
2. Tropical Asian – The vibrant cuisine and distinctive flavours of Malaysia and the Philippines draw attention from adventurous palates seeking bold new tastes.
3. Pinoy BBQ, a popular Filipino street food, is flavoured with soy sauce, lemon, garlic, sugar, pepper and banana ketchup
4. Rendang Curry, a Malaysian spice paste, delivers mild heat made from chilies, lemongrass, garlic, ginger, tamarind, coriander and turmeric 
5. Matcha's slightly bitter notes are balanced by ginger and citrus
6. Chia seed becomes zesty when paired with citrus, chili and garlic
7. Turmeric blended with cocoa, cinnamon and nutmeg offers sweet possibilities
8. Flaxseed enhances savoury dishes when combined with Mediterranean herbs 
9. Pigeon peas, called toor dal when split, are traditionally paired with cumin and coconu
10. Cranberry beans, also called borlotti, are perfectly enhanced with sage and Albario wine
11. Black beluga lentils are uniquely accented with peach and mustard
12. Ancient herbs like thyme, peppermint, parsley, lavender and rosemary are rediscovered
13. Amaranth, an ancient grain of the Aztecs, brings a nutty, earthy flavour
14. Mezcal is a smoky Mexican liquor made from the agave plant
15. Pickling combines tart with spice for zesty results
16. Roasting adds richness with a distinctive browned flavour
17. Brled ingredients provide depth with a caramelized sugar note
18. Blends with Benefits – Flavourful herbs and spices add everyday versatility to good-for-you ingredients.
19. Alternative "Pulse" Proteins – Packed with protein and nutrients, pulses are elevated when paired with delicious ingredients.
20. Ancestral Flavours – Modern dishes reconnect with native ingredients to celebrate food that tastes real, pure and satisfying.
21. Culinary-Infused Sips – Three classic culinary techniques provide new tastes and inspiration in the creation of the latest libations.

Globally, this year, McCormick is launching 56 new consumer products inspired by Flavour Forecast trends.