Flavor company McCormick published its 2026 Flavor Forecast and announced its 2026 Flavor of the Year: Black Currant. These berries combine tart, tangy, sweet and fruity flavor notes and are becoming increasingly popular on global menus.
Black currant berries are native to central and northern Europe and northern Asia. They are commonly used as ingredients in jams, syrups, candies, desserts, drinks and liqueurs. The flavor profile is described as “earthy, slightly floral and herbal.”
“Black currant is the next ‘it’ berry on the scene,” said Tabata Gomez, chief marketing officer at McCormick. “For 26 years, McCormick and Flavor Forecast have been ahead of the intersection of food and culture. 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.”
Hadar Cohen Aviram, executive chef at McCormick, added, “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. Rooted in history and bursting with benefits, black currant shines in kitchens, cocktails and beyond.”
McCormick’s Flavor Forecast also identifies three trends for the upcoming year:
- 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.
- 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.
