Heritage Remix, Thrilling Comfort Among Kerry’s Taste Trends

Global fare with a modern twist, AI-generated flavors, and brands that uplift people and planet are among global ingredient company Kerry’s 2024 Taste Trends, which were outlined in a webinar presentation by the company’s activation marketing manager Amy Devitt, Wednesday.

Each year, the company compiles information from its five foodservice and retail data partners and uses its proprietary research methods to populate Taste Charts. Its findings are then validated by its in-house research and development scientists, and Taste Trends are developed. This year's trends include:

Heritage Remix

“There is always this question about what is authentic and who gets to challenge or question what you think is authentic. Heritage remix speaks well to that,” said Devitt of the trend of putting a modern spin on traditional and authentic ingredients.

Examples include:

• Montclair, NJ’s Pasta Ramen restaurant (pictured above) which serves Italian ramen dishes such as Cacio e Pepe Gyoza.

• Tangle Bulgogi Alfredo Tangluccine combines Korean-style fettucine with creamy bulgogi sauce.

• Mr. Bing x Fabalish Spicy Chili Crisp Ranch Spread & Dip is made with Fabalish vegan ranch infused with Mr. Bing’s Chili Crisp blend.

• Taste Salud Horchata Hydration + Immunity Drink Mix is made with authentic Latino flavors.

Digital Palate

“This trend leverages AI and social media,” said Devitt. “Coca-Cola’s Y3000 is a futuristic flavor that was AI-generated." Other examples include:

• Trader Joe’s AI Generated Orange Chicken Ice Cream. “This product doesn’t exist but could in the future. A lot of brands are utilizing AI for what something could be,” said Devitt.

• Enlightened Banana Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt Bark plays into the viral frozen yogurt bark trend.

• Sweetgreen’s automated Infinite Kitchen leverages robotics.

 Thrilling Comfort

“Consumers want more intense bold flavors and are treating themselves and trying new things. This category has the best of everything,” she said.

Examples include:

•  Martha Stewart Tangerine Yuzu Pomelo Chill CBD Gummies. “This one provides a really easy way to have a thrilling comfort,” Devitt said.

• S’Noods Cavatappi Carbonara Snack Noodles. “Snoods is an emerging brand with a pasta flavor profile that uses the shape and crunch of pasta and the flavor that would match a traditional pasta sauce,” she said.

• DiGiorno DiGiornuts is a mashup of DiGiorno pizza and doughnuts.

• Sauz Hot Honey Marina Sauce mixes hot honey and a pasta sauce.

I’m the Chef

“People usually try new things at home first due to cost implications,” said Devitt of the trend that helps elevate at-home eating experiences. 

Examples include:

• Acid League Sushi Shop Carrot Ginger Dressing. “Sushi shops seem to have the most delicious side salads. This is called sushi shop so people know they can have that same experience at home,” she said.

• CosMc’s Sour Cherry Energy Burst With Boba. “Months after opening, the drive-through has a two to three hour wait," said Devitt of McDonald's beverage format. "You can take their sour cherry and add an immunity shot or boba to make it an exciting and creative drink."

• Private Selection Mexican Inspired Birria Cooking Sauce is a Kroger private-label brand.

• American Flatbread Grilled & Seared Sourdough Crust upscales the pizza eating experience at home.

Empowering Eats 

“This is about people, planet, and society and people are making changes due to personal health and are looking for brands that are transparent and they’re asking ‘how does this brand uplift the hands that prepared it?’”

Examples include:

• WhatIF Foods Pumpkin Noodles With Cheeky Curry Seasoning. “Women-and Gen Z-owned, this product has no added sugar, and is vegan. They looked atthe  instant ramen industry whose products are not very nutritionally equipped. This product uses a pumpkin noodle base.”

• Geem Seaweed Snacks. 

• Fila Manila Filipino American Kitchen Banana Ketchup is inspired by the wartime necessity to make banana ketchup when tomatoes were in short supply.

• Sly Orange Cream Dream Beverage for Brain & Body Recovery includes 2 milligrams of melatonin.