McCormick unveiled Wednesday the 24th edition of its Flavor Forecast, an annual report that dives into the latest culinary trends shaping the way people prepare and enjoy food. With this year's report, the spice maker announces its flavor of the year: tamarind.
"For nearly 25 years, McCormick has forecasted global flavor trends through our Flavor Forecast report. After all this time, there is still no shortage of trends to uncover which allow us to continue to shake up the way people cook, flavor, and eat," said Tabata Gomez, CMO at McCormick, in a statement.
Tamarind, a spice native to Africa, India, and the Middle East, has lent its acidic, tangy-sweet flavor to Latin, Caribbean, and Mexican cuisines for centuries. To honor the flavor, the brand has created Tamarind & Pasilla Chile Seasoning (pictured above). The flavor will be featured in several limited-edition, tamarind-infused menu items at Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer locations nationwide in February 2024.
"This year, we're thrilled for people to experience the taste, versatility, and tang of Tamarind," said Hadar Cohen Aviram, executive chef and senior manager of culinary development, at McCormick, in a statement. "It is the perfect ingredient to incorporate in savory and sweet dishes which is evident through the creative, flavorful, limited-time dishes we are proudly co-developing with Black Tap."
Other flavor predictions and trends identified in the brand's Flavor Forecast 24th Edition include:
• Sour Power: From tamarind to coconut vinegar, acidic agents are stepping into the spotlight to open our senses, boost craveability, and even help "cook" without heat.
• Thoughtfully Borrowed: Starting with a dash of something that's "you," these conscious cultural combinations pay homage and respect to both roots and backgrounds, creating a celebration of flavor, experience, and cuisine.
• Indulgence Redefined: Two ways this trend comes to life are through "newstalgic" and food "maximalism." Newstaglic: What's old is new again, with restaurants re-introducing childhood favorites with a gourmet twist. Food maximalism: By layering flavors and textures in creative, fun, and always thoughtful ways, you can experience flavor to the max.
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