On January 14, 2026, flavor company Kerry released its 2026 Global Taste Charts, a comprehensive guide to the flavors set to inspire food and beverage innovation. This year’s Taste Charts are powered by the company’s end-to-end digital platform KerryNow, allowing customers to directly order samples of trending flavors.
“The food and beverage landscape is evolving at a breathtaking pace, and manufacturers are under more pressure than ever to meet the changing needs of today’s consumers,” said Leigh-Anne Vaughan, vice president of product technologies. “Brands cannot afford to simply react; they must anticipate and innovate at pace. We challenged ourselves this year to truly walk in the shoes of our customers, designing the new Taste Charts digital platform, powered by KerryNow, to allow them to unlock smarter, faster and more radical innovation.
“We want manufacturers to feel empowered and confident that their flavor decisions will engage target consumers. By making product information and samples available instantly, we are not just providing a roadmap for innovation—we are providing the fuel to get there faster.”
The 2026 Taste Charts includes eight product categories: refreshing beverages, alcohol and alcohol-inspired beverages, tea, coffee and cocoa, savory snacks, sweet snacks, soups/sauces/dressings, meats and supplements. Kerry’s insights team used several online data points, including menu trends and social media conversations, to determine the patterns shaping global taste. Further, the report is broken down by region to give more specific insights.
2026 Taste Charts Highlights
The Dragon Fruit Phenomenon: Traditionally rooted in Asian markets, dragon fruit has transcended its regional origins to become a breakout global flavor. With a 17% CAGR in new product launches through 2025, it is reshaping refreshment categories across Europe and the Americas.
Botanicals & Florals: As consumers gravitate towards complex, aromatic profiles, orange blossom and hibiscus are forecasted as key future flavors in the US and Asia Pacific beverage sectors. Meanwhile, finger lime is exploding in popularity across Europe.
Global Cross-Pollination: In the USA, gochujang launches have grown 120% over the past 12 months, while bulgogi has left from an emerging flavor in 2025 to become the #4 fastest-growing flavor in the 2026 meat and meals chart. Simultaneously, the swicy trend is evolving, with hot honey and spicy mango driving double digit growth in bakery and confectionery products.
Elevated Staples Beyond Cheddar: Consumers are redefining comfort by trading standard options for premium, texture-rich varieties. The charts map the evolution of 31 specific cheese varieties, revealing a shift toward heritage-rich profiles.
