Fusion cuisine offers, quite literally, the best of both worlds; it showcases the flavors and ingredients of two, oftentimes very different, cuisines, allowing consumers to explore what makes each cuisine special. Consumers are as adventurous – and as restless – as ever. As they continue to seek out what’s new and what’s next, food products and menu items that expand their horizons and push them outside of their comfort zones will win big.
The global cuisine trend remains among the most prolific trends in the industry, and brands can capitalize on its popularity and appeal to consumers’ desires for exploration and experimentation by focusing their innovative efforts around fusion cuisine.
How can brands keep things fresh with fusion flavors and dishes? In this blog, our experts offer their takes on how to capitalize on this trend and create craveable fusion-inspired products. Keep reading for a special insight from Culivision, our global culinary division, that highlights an up-and-coming fusion cuisine trend in China.
Familiarity and Novelty in Fusion Cuisine
The key to crafting a craveable fusion-inspired product with mass appeal is striking the right balance between familiarity and novelty. Although consumers across the board are more adventurous than ever, the extent to which they are willing to step outside of their comfort zones depends largely on demographics. Younger consumers are more open to trying ingredients, cuisines, and flavors that they’ve only seen on social media, whereas older consumers are less likely to take risks unless they’re confident that they’ll like a particular product or flavor.
For this reason, fusion cuisine is perfect for appealing to a broad consumer base, as brands can pair familiar, approachable flavors with more exotic ones for products that excite adventurous consumers without alienating those who may be more hesitant to try something completely unfamiliar.
When developing fusion flavors and dishes, brands should look to trending cuisines as a starting point and combine the flavors and ingredients of these cuisines with elements from more mainstream cuisines, like Italian, Mexican, or regional American cuisine. Think an Ethiopian doro wat taco, Korean kimchi arancini, Indian style chicken tikka pizza, or Middle Eastern baharat BBQ.
Culivision Insight: Guizhou Fusion Cuisine in China
No matter where you are in the world, chances are, consumers there are craving fusion cuisine as well. According to our Culivision team in China, Guizhou fusion cuisine, which combines classic dishes from the Guizhou region in southwestern China with other cuisines from around the world, is trending in Asia.
This trend stems from the national promotion of local specialties in the Chinese catering industry, as well as interest in innovative fusion. As is the case in the US, fusion cuisine is especially popular with younger consumers in China, with over 60% of those aged 20-35 indicating that they try new regional flavors or fusion dishes at least once a month. Guizhou fusion cuisine has witnessed a boost, thanks, in part, to social media, with content tagged with #GuizhouFusionCuisine receiving over 5 million monthly views on Chinese social media sites.
Below, one of our experts on consumer trends in China, Cathy Zheng, offers an example of a trendy fusion dish, which pairs a staple in Guizhou cuisine with the flavors of French cuisine.
Guizhou Red Sour Soup with Stewed Mussels
This dish combines the robust, tangy flavors of Guizhou’s signature red sour soup with the delicate sweetness of mussels, creating a harmonious and refreshing culinary experience. The red sour soup base is prepared by fermenting tomatoes, wood sorrel, chili peppers, and other spices over several days. This process develops a rich, tangy flavor and vibrant red color.
Main Ingredients:
- Fresh mussels
- Red sour soup broth
- Chili peppers
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Coriander (cilantro)
- Dried chili peppers
- Sichuan peppercorns
- Wood sorrel (Oxalis)
- Tomato
Flavor Profile
The defining feature of this dish is its bold and complex flavor profile. The red sour soup brings a vibrant, tangy acidity that perfectly complements the mild, briny sweetness of the mussels. The spiciness from the chili peppers adds an exciting kick, while the aromatic herbs and spices enhance the overall depth and aroma. Each bite offers a balanced interplay of sour, spicy, and umami flavors, making it both invigorating and satisfying.
Learn more about how Culivision can take the guesswork out of consumers’ cravings here.