Kerry Releases 2026 Global Taste Charts

DUBLIN, Ireland – Kerry has unveiled its 2026 Global Taste Charts, a comprehensive guide to the flavors set to inspire innovation in food and beverage. The guide draws on the expertise of over 1,200 scientists, 100 flavorists and consumer research. 

The 2026 Taste Charts are now powered by the digital platform, KerryNow. For the first time, customers can instantly order samples of trending flavors, the company said. 

Expanded Insights for a Complex Market 

Kerry’s insights team analyzed hundreds of thousands of products and harnessed insight from a vast array of online data points — from menu trends to social media conversations — to uncover the patterns shaping global taste, Kerry said.

Designed to fuel faster ideation and drive smarter, data-backed decisions, this year’s edition expands from six to eight product categories, Kerry reported. It offers a dive into Refreshing Beverages; Alcohol & Alcohol-Inspired Beverages; Tea, Coffee & Cocoa; Savory Snacks; Sweet; Soups, Sauces & Dressings; Meat & Meals; and Supplements. 

From Exotic to Iconic: Key Flavor Trends for 2026  

The 2026 Taste Charts highlight a consumer landscape that seeks both novelty and nostalgia. Key insights include: 

• The Dragon Fruit Phenomenon: Traditionally rooted in Asian markets, dragon fruit has transcended its regional origins to become a breakout global flavor, said Kerry. With a 17% CAGR in new product launches projected through 2025, it is reshaping refreshment categories across Europe and the Americas, according to the company. While over half of all launches remain in refreshing beverages, thanks to its mild, subtly sweet profile, the flavor is making waves in confectionary and alcoholic formats, with consumer interest surging during summer months. 
• Botanicals & Florals: As consumers gravitate toward complex, aromatic profiles, orange blossom and hibiscus are forecasted as key "Future Flavors" in the U.S. and APAC beverage sectors, offering sophisticated, low-sugar alternatives. Meanwhile, finger lime is exploding in popularity across Europe for its unique textural pop and tart profile, said Kerry. 
• Global Cross-Pollination: The charts reveal a rapid exchange of flavors across cultures. Korean bulgogi and Gochujang are surging. In the U.S., Gochujang launches have grown 120% over the past 12 months, while bulgogi has leapt from an emerging flavor in 2025 to become the No. 4 fastest-growing flavor in the 2026 Meat & Meals chart, with similar developments unfolding in European markets, reported Kerry. Meanwhile, Sichuan peppercorns are moving beyond niche Asian aisles to influence mainstream condiments across Europe, according to Kerry. Mexican birria and Chile Chiltepín are transcending borders to influence savory snacks and meals globally. Simultaneously, the "Swicy" (Sweet + Spicy) trend is evolving, with hot honey and spicy mango driving double-digit growth in bakery and confectionery products, the company said. 
• 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, according to Kerry. Manchego and pecorino are driving premiumization in European savory snacks, while versatile, texture-rich options are gaining share in North America — responding directly to the 68% of consumers who say cheese flavors bring a level of comfort with excitement to savory snacks, Kerry reported. 

Turning Insight into Action with KerryNow 

the company said its KerryNow digital platform works seamlessly with the Taste Charts, enabling partners to: 

• Access the flavor portfolio
• Accelerate development
• Receive support from Kerry experts 
  

Empowering Innovation at Speed 

“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, VP of product technologies, Kerry. “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.”