North American flavor producer FlavorSum announced the publication of its 2026 Seasonal Flavor Guide for food and beverage developers. The report is built with input from industry experts, flavorists and application scientists.
“The number of North American shoppers who will respond to new flavors in foods and beverages increased to 46%, up five points in the last year,” said Dave Franz, chief commercial officer. “And seasonal launches grew 9% annually in the last five years, outpacing the -0.5% CAGR in total new product activity.”
The report includes data for the four major seasons (spring, summer, fall, winter) across various categories, including bakery, ice cream, beverages and confections. Further, the guide highlights the top 10 seasonal flavor launches in North America as well as predictions for next year’s leading seasonal flavors.
Report Highlights
- The top flavor associated with spring and summer in the bakery category is blueberry.
- Seasonal and LTO flavors influence buying decisions for approximately one in five North Americans.
- FlavorSum’s “Flavors to Watch” in the ice cream category for fall and winter include matcha, caramel banana, toffee, chocolate cheesecake and peanut butter vanilla.
- The sugar confectionery category had the largest share of seasonal and LTO launches over the last five years.
- The top flavor associated with fall and winter in cultured dairy is peach.
