The Future of Flavor is Bold: 2025 Flavor Predictions
The team at PS Seasoning just returned from sunny Las Vegas where we gathered with a diverse crowd of food industry professionals at the Specialty Food Association’s Winter Fancy Food Show. We discussed what’s on the horizon for 2025 and came back inspired by new trends and products expected to guide consumer interest and eating habits in the year ahead. A few key highlights stood out:
Swicy – the perfect mix of sweet and spicy
The sweet-heat combination, known as "swicy," continues to gain traction as cooks and diners alike seek the perfect balance of sweetness and spice. This trend is here to stay, with enduring appeal and versatility across cuisines from Mexican to Thai to Korean. While the combination of sweet and spicy is nothing new, Gen Z’s desire for heat, in particular, is fueling the latest iteration of this trend.
Multidimensional spice
There is a growing desire for more complex, nuanced flavors. Consumers want foods with layered, intricate taste profiles rather than just simple, strong flavors. They are looking for flavors that go beyond just sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami, seeking depth and complexity in each bite. Instead of just "hot" spice, people want different levels and types of heat, like fruity, smoky, or citrusy spice notes. Our Candied Jalapeno Wing Sauce exemplifies this trend, elevating “sweet spice” to a whole new level.
Little luxuries, a touch of comfort
As consumers become more mindful of their spending and overall well-being, we’re all looking for a little treat. This quest for comfort and a touch of affordable luxury is driving a surge in sophisticated flavor profiles across unexpected applications. Ingredients like black garlic and truffles are infusing everyday dishes with a sense of indulgence, bringing a little bit of luxury to our day-to-day lives.
Experience
This trend is all about capturing memorable experiences, events or travels as flavors. Think of our recent The Works Burger Seasoning Blend as an example. This customer favorite includes everything but the burger, bringing you right to the ballpark or your backyard patio on a warm summer day. Our experts expect these exciting and adventurous taste experiences that tell a story to continue to season our plates in 2025.
Flavor innovation goes global
Global fusion flavors will dominate this year. Consumers are eager to experience adventurous and exotic tastes that blend ingredients and culinary traditions from around the world. Ingredients like Caribbean spices and Mediterranean herbs are all coming together to create innovative and exciting new flavors. This trend appeals to both adventurous eaters and those who savor global cuisine, turning every meal into a mini culinary journey.
Did that awaken your tastebuds? We hope so. Flavor trends like these are shaping our new seasoning line for 2025. As we continue to push the boundaries of innovation, our team of food scientists, master meat crafters, and our executive chef are hard at work in our Culinary Innovation and R&D Center, coming up with flavors we hope will excite you. We’re thrilled to bring these bold flavors to the shelf and can’t wait to show you what’s in store.
