McCormick has announced the 24th edition of its Flavor Forecast, the annual report illuminating the latest culinary trends shaping the way people prepare and enjoy food worldwide. With this year’s report, McCormick has named the 2024 Flavor of the Year: tamarind, a spice native to Africa, India and the Middle East.
Consumers can experience the spice with the new Tamarind & Pasilla Chile Seasoning, available online. The Flavor of the Year will also be featured in several limited-edition, tamarind-infused menu items at Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer locations nationwide in February.
“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, chief marketing officer at McCormick.
Other flavor predictions and trends identified in the brand’s 2024 Flavor Forecast include:
- Sour power: Acidic agents are stepping into the spotlight to open the senses, boost craveability and help “cook” without heat.
- Something borrowed: Beginning with a dash of something that’s “you,” these cultural combinations pay homage and respect to roots and backgrounds.
- 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 ways, customers can experience an increased flavor.
“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, U.S. consumer at McCormick.
“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.”
Stephen Parker, corporate executive chef at Black Tap, said, “Given Black Tap’s global footprint, we try to be truly thoughtful in leveraging global recipes, spices and techniques to ensure we continually bring innovation to our craft each and every day. We love to tap different regional influences for our recipes – tamarind inspired us to borrow flavors from Southeast Asia, the Iberian Peninsula and Latin America for this exciting collaboration.”
Beginning Feb. 1, visit Black Tap locations to enjoy tamarind flavors. Menu items will include a chicken burger, fries and milkshake that infuse the seasoning in various ways.
About McCormick
Headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, McCormick & Company Inc. manufactures, markets and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavorful products to the entire food industry including e-commerce channels, grocery, food manufacturers and foodservice businesses. Its brands include McCormick, French’s, Frank’s RedHot, Stubb’s, OLD BAY, Lawry’s, Zatarain’s, Ducros, Vahiné, Cholula, Schwartz, Kamis, DaQiao, Club House, Aeroplane and Gourmet Garden.
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