McCormick has released its 2026 Flavor Forecast, and named black currant as its flavor of the year for 2026.

McCormick describes black currant as a berry that features “a distinct yet balanced flavor profile that's sweet, tart and rich.” The fruit is native to northern Europe and northern Asia, where the dark purple fruit has been popular for centuries in specific regions as an ingredient in jams, syrups, candies, desserts, drinks and liqueurs.

“It's quickly gaining popularity and is forecast to show up on global menus soon,” McCormick said in a press release.

Other trends noted in the 2026 Flavor Forecast include:

• Attainable opulence: Consumers are using extravagant treats and experiences as an escape, bringing elevated flavors into everyday life, not just special occasions. Example recipes include blood orange cardamom sour and sweet and tangy stuffed chicken tenders.

• 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—with that, anything humble becomes a showstopper. Example recipes include pickled veggie toast on homemade sourdough bread and a focaccia halloumi BLT.

• Sauce from somewhere: 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 that spark curiosity and inspire trial, connect cultures and help create flavor exploration. Example recipes include roasted chicken with toum (Lebanese garlic sauce) and sambal crusted lamb chops.

Earlier this week, T. Hasegawa’s 2026 Food and Beverage Flavor Trends Report named dark sweet cherry as its 2026 Flavor of the Year.

According to the report, dark sweet cherry will be a standout flavor in 2026 due to its “striking deep red color, intense sweetness and impressive versatility. With a complex flavor profile described as 'juicy, rich and tart,' dark sweet cherry is a nostalgic favorite for many North American consumers familiar with varieties such as Chelan, Sweetheart, Lapin, Stella, Bing and more,” the report stated.

Read more about how convenience store operators stay on top of hot and trending flavors in the December 2025 issue of NACS Magazine article “The Next Big Flavor Trends in C-Stores.”