Global flavors are here to stay! Consumers have been growing increasingly curious about how people in other parts of the world eat, fueling their interest in trying international foods, flavors, and dishes. Budget constraints caused by inflation have also been driving this trend, as travel and other forms of entertainment are not viable options for many consumers at the moment, which has resulted in them turning to food and beverage products as a means of exploration.
Although global flavors will always be popular with consumers, the cuisines, dishes, and ingredients that are most in-demand are consistently changing, as consumers’ preferences evolve. Keep reading for our experts’ insights into the global flavors that consumers will be craving in 2024.
Inspired by Sauces & Condiments
It all started with sriracha. Just over a decade ago, the spicy and tangy sauce commonly used in Thai and Vietnamese cuisines hit the mainstream, becoming a staple in consumers’ diets and a mainstay on restaurant menus. Since then, brands have been seeking to replicate the success of sriracha by introducing consumers to sauces and condiments from around the world. Harissa, a spicy red pepper paste from Northern Africa, and gochujang, a sweet and tangy red chili sauce hailing from Korea, both rose in popularity as a result and continue to trend.
Going into 2024, global sauces and condiments remain a promising source of flavor inspiration. Thanks to sriracha, consumers are accustomed to experimenting with flavors inspired by global sauces. Consumers are becoming increasingly adventurous, however, meaning that more exotic sauces with less familiar ingredients and flavor profiles are going to be appealing to a wide range of consumers.
Which global sauces and condiments should brands get inspired by this year? Ajvar, a Serbian condiment made from eggplant and roasted red
pepper, should certainly be a contender. It’s got a smoky and tangy flavor, which is well-aligned with consumers’ preferences for flavor profiles. With Asian flavors continuing to win favor with consumers, chili oil should also earn consideration. This sauce hails from China and consists of pepper-infused oil with a unique texture that is sure to excite consumers who are looking for new sensory experiences.
Another option? Consumers have been craving curries. With curries being common in Middle Eastern, African, and Asian cuisines – all of which are trending – flavors inspired by curry sauces are sure to grab consumers’ attention. Brands should consider bringing the flavors of craveable curries from all corners of the world to make popular products even more appealing and to satisfy consumers’ sense of adventure. Think an African coconut curry seasoning for potato chips, a Thai green curry salad dressing, or an Indian style butter chicken dip.
Focus on Fermented Flavors
Pickled and fermented foods have cemented their status as sought-after functional ingredients. Among the top health and wellness priorities for
consumers in 2024 is gut health, positioning pickled and fermented items for even more growth this year. Although these types of foods are just becoming popular with U.S. consumers, they have long been staples in many international cuisines. As consumers seek out pickled and fermented foods from around the world to support their gut health while simultaneously satisfying their cravings for all things exotic, they’ll be craving the flavors of these items. This presents a major opportunity for brands seeking to capitalize on global food and flavor trends.
Flavors inspired by fermented and pickled food items from faraway places are sure to be a hit with consumers. Kimchi, for example, has been trending as consumers have fallen in love with Korean cuisine. This spicy, fermented dish has a flavor profile that is ideal for a wide range of applications, like snacks, salad dressings, soups, and more.
Looking to innovate with global flavors? Contact us today to see how Fuchs can help you make something special.