Food and beverage trends: the future of flavour for 2025-26
Key Takeaways
Fusion "global mashup" dishes (for example, jerk chicken burritos, miso barbecue) combine local and global influences to create distinctive menu items.
Mindful eating is growing, with consumers favouring transparent, simple ingredient labels, sustainable seafood, plant-based proteins and functional foods like gut-friendly probiotics.
Café culture continues to grow — cited research suggests at least 67% of consumers drink coffee several times a week — creating opportunities for coffee flights, regional brewing techniques, and craft chai or matcha drinks.
Five ingredients flagged to watch for late 2025 and 2026: sansho pepper, ras malai, salted egg yolk, rooh afza and suya, offering chefs new ways to introduce global flavours to menus.
Meet the expert: Paul Bloxham, Head of Culinary Services
As we step into 2025, the culinary landscape continues to evolve, shaped by innovation, sustainability, and the ever-changing tastes of global consumers.
Our Head of Culinary, Paul Bloxham, alongside insights from the 2025 Annual Food & Beverage Trends Report by Datassential and Food & Beverage Trends 2025-2026 by The Food People, highlights the key trends set to shape menus worldwide.
From bold flavours to mindful eating, here’s what’s trending - and how to bring these insights to life in your offerings.
1. Global mashups and fusion cuisine
Fusion cuisine is thriving, proving that the best flavours come from unexpected pairings. Think jerk chicken burritos, miso-infused barbecue, or pistachio guacamole.
The sky's the limit when mixing local ingredients with global influences, keeping culinary traditions alive while adding exciting new twists.
2. Mindful eating and ingredient transparency
Consumers are becoming more conscious when eating, opting for transparency in ingredients and sourcing. With ultra-processed foods under increased scrutiny, brands are shifting towards cleaner, simpler labels with recognizable ingredients.
Ethical eating continues to gain traction, with sustainable seafood, plant-based proteins, and functional foods - such as gut-friendly probiotics and adaptogens - playing a growing role in daily diets. Meanwhile, weight management trends like intermittent fasting, personalised nutrition, and meal-tracking apps are helping people take a more tailored approach to wellness.
3. Coffee and café culture
Coffee isn't just a morning necessity, it's an experience. Datassential's report reveals that at least 67% of consumers enjoy coffee several times a week.
This growing café culture opens doors for creative offerings. Consider coffee flights featuring beans from different regions, explore brewing techniques from Italy, Vietnam, and Turkey, or embrace the resurgence of tea with craft chai and matcha-infused beverages.
4. Pizza reinvented
Pizza is a beloved go-to for customisable meals, appealing to various cultures and budgets, whether served by the slice or as mini pizzas.
According to Dataessential’s report, 94% of Gen X and Millennials love pizza in all its forms. There's something special about a well-made pizza that captures our hearts, especially when it's simple and crafted with care. With endless possibilities for toppings, crust styles, and serving formats, pizza continues to evolve while remaining a timeless favourite.
5. Haitian cuisine on the rise
Haitian cuisine is making waves, blending French, Caribbean, and West African influences, and it's becoming more popular in the U.S. and Europe.
About half of consumers know about it; a third are eager to try it, capturing that tropical vibe with a touch of French flair for a true taste of 'Tropical Escapism.'
6. Preventing food waste
The fight against food waste is at the forefront of many culinary innovations. The focus remains on prevention to create a more sustainable food industry.
New technologies are helping extend shelf life and reduce spoilage, while brands are pushing for plastic-free packaging solutions and reducing waste in product and delivery packaging.
7. Flavours and ingredients to watch
Five exciting flavours and ingredients will make waves in late 2025 and 2026, offering endless opportunities for chefs and innovators to elevate their menus with international influences.
Sansho pepper – This Japanese spice brings a citrusy zing and numbing sensation, perfect for seafood, broths, and even cocktails.
Ras malai – This beloved Indian dessert features cheese dumplings soaked in aromatic, cardamom-infused milk, bringing new inspiration for sweet treats.
Salted egg yolk – This flavourful ingredient adds a unique sweet-and-savoury twist to dishes. Created by soaking eggs in a salt brine, it enhances everything from chips to main courses and desserts.
Rooh afza – This refreshing South Asian drink is perfect for mocktails or drizzling over desserts.
Suya - A staple in West African cuisine, this spiced meat skewer delivers a rich, smoky and peppery heat.
Staying ahead of food and beverage trends
As 2025 unfolds, these trends will shape menus and dining habits worldwide. Integrating these emerging flavours and techniques into your menu is a great way to stay ahead of the curve. One thing is for sure – innovation is on the menu.
Bon appétit!
Talk to Avendra International about menu innovation
Looking to stay ahead with the latest food and beverage trends and insights? Check out our Spring/Summer 2025 Edge Magazine for innovative ideas and supplier highlights.
Or contact us if you're looking for ways to add the latest innovative food and beverage offerings to your menu. Get in touch hello_UK@avendra.com.
FAQs
What food trends are shaping menus in 2025 and 2026?
Key trends include fusion "global mashup" dishes, mindful and transparent eating, growing café culture, reinvented pizza formats, rising interest in Haitian cuisine, food waste prevention, and a wave of new global flavours and ingredients.
What is 'mindful eating' and how is it changing consumer preferences?
Mindful eating reflects a shift toward more conscious food choices, with consumers favouring transparent ingredient labelling, sustainable seafood, plant-based proteins, and functional foods such as gut-friendly probiotics and adaptogens, alongside personalised approaches to nutrition and wellness.
What ingredients are chefs watching for upcoming menus?
Ingredients highlighted for late 2025 and 2026 include sansho pepper (a citrusy, numbing Japanese spice), ras malai (an Indian cardamom-milk dessert), salted egg yolk, rooh afza (a South Asian drink), and suya (a West African spiced meat skewer).
How can operators keep menus fresh with new food and beverage trends?
Operators can stay ahead by experimenting with global flavour combinations, offering more transparent and sustainable options, exploring café-style beverage experiences, and introducing new or lesser-known ingredients to differentiate their menus.
