Flavor, seasonings and spices company McCormick & Co. unveils its 2026 Flavor of the Year: black currant, a berry featuring a distinct yet balanced flavor profile that's sweet, tart, and rich. Alongside this, McCormick also announces the 2026 Flavor Forecast, their annual report showcasing the latest culinary trends shaping the way people prepare and eat food worldwide.

Since 2000, the McCormick Flavor Forecast has explored what is shaping the future of flavor globally. It has defined and influenced trends over the years, predicting the rise of everything from chipotle and pumpkin pie spice to ube, Korean barbecue and "swicy," the sweet and spicy flavor trend. Each year, the report looks at what's new and next, identifying the key flavors consumers can expect to see in the coming months and years.

Black currant berries are native to central and northern Europe and northern Asia. They combine tart-and-tangy with a sweet, fruity flavor that's earthy, slightly floral and herbal. The dark purple fruit has been popular for centuries in specific regions as an ingredient in jams, syrups, candies, desserts, drinks and liqueurs. It's quickly gaining popularity and is forecast to show up on global menus soon.

McCormick

Alongside the Flavor of the Year, McCormick has identified three trends in its 2026 Flavor Forecast:

• Attainable opulence: Consumers are using extravagant treats and experiences as an escape, bringing elevated flavors into everyday life, not just special occasions.
• Simple to spectacular: In a digital-forward world, people are finding beauty in the basics by cooking with care and using simple, quality ingredients combined with technique and time – with that, anything humble becomes a showstopper. 
• Sauce from somewhere: "Flavor fluency" is more common than ever. People are looking for ways to connect cultures, bring regional tastes of the world forward and enhance daily meal routines through novel sauces, dips, drizzles and spreads that spark curiosity and inspire trial, connect cultures and – above all – help create flavor exploration.

"Black currant is the next 'it' berry on the scene. For 26 years, McCormick and Flavor Forecast have been ahead of the intersection of food and culture," said Tabata Gomez, chief marketing officer at McCormick. "This year we're doing more than predicting a flavor; we're having a year-long celebration of Black Currant, a bold, sophisticated flavor that combines sweet with savory and elevates the experience of any dish."

"Black currant is gaining attention in kitchens, prized for its vibrant intensity, infusing everything from savory reductions and sweet pastries to modern mixology with bold, sophisticated flavor," said Hadar Cohen Aviram, executive chef at McCormick. "Rooted in history and bursting with benefits, Black Currant shines in kitchens, cocktails, and beyond."

Throughout 2026, McCormick will celebrate black currant with launch events and product drops.

Source: McCormick & Co.