Kerry has launched its 2026 Taste Charts, offering one of the industry’s most trusted views into the global flavours set to shape food and beverage innovation in the year ahead. Built from extensive consumer insight, sensory science and the expertise of Kerry’s taste teams around the world, the Taste Charts provide a data-driven look at what’s trending now, what’s accelerating and what’s coming next. As one of the industry’s most-referenced sources for flavour trends, the Taste Charts provide a clear view of where consumer preferences are heading.
This year’s edition introduces a more dynamic, interactive experience alongside sample-ready flavours, deeper regional perspectives and expanded insight into taste and format innovation within the supplements category, making it easier than ever for brands to turn flavour intelligence into market-ready innovation.
“Taste continues to be the most powerful driver of choice. The 2026 Taste Charts help our customers understand the forces shaping that choice, and act on them with greater speed and confidence,” says Leigh Anne Vaughan, Vice President of Strategy & Marketing – Taste at Kerry.
A People-Powered Approach to Decoding Flavour
Kerry’s global team of flavourists, sensory experts, consumer researchers and application scientists drive the insights behind the Taste Charts. By analysing thousands of datapoints—from product launches and online conversations to menu analyses and retail signals—Kerry maps flavour behaviour using its new and improved Now, New, Next framework.
“Our people bring science, instinct and cultural understanding together. That’s what makes the charts more than a trend list. They’re a practical tool for innovation,” notes Vaughan.
The charts draw from Kerry’s Sensational Seven global taste trends, released in late 2025, which highlight the broader forces influencing how consumers navigate flavour, from Maximalist Flavour and Elevated Staples to Everyday Escapism and Heritage Reclaimed.
Regional Signals: What’s Influencing 2026
Across global markets, consumers are seeking flavour experiences that deliver comfort, creativity and authenticity, often in the same bite or sip.
North America blends nostalgia with adventure. Familiar favourites like pumpkin spice, brown butter and maple continue to grow, while bold concepts such as baklava, salted lime and dill pickle surge across categories.
Latin America sees heritage flavours expressed through modern formats. Tamarind, purple corn, lime-chilli and guava are driving multisensory experiences rooted in regional identity.
Europe leans botanical and balanced, with lavender, hibiscus, Mediterranean herbs and citrus-forward profiles anchoring natural, functional appeal.
Asia Pacific champions precision and playfulness, with matcha, yuzu, pandan and osmanthus inspiring hybrid formats and cross-category experimentation.
Middle East & Africa elevate rich, culturally rooted profiles such as saffron, date, baobab and hibiscus, with emerging interest in vibrant ingredients like za’atar and sumac.
“Across regions, consumers want flavours with meaning, whether that’s comfort, wellness, indulgence or cultural connection,” says Vaughan.
Supplements Taste Charts 2026: Taste Meets Function
As part of this year’s expanded coverage, the 2026 Taste Charts also highlight how taste is becoming a competitive edge in supplements, where consumers increasingly expect functional formats to taste as good as they perform. Gummies, powders, shots and other lifestyle-friendly formats continue to grow, bringing greater emphasis on flavour quality and the need to mask challenging off-notes from active ingredients.
The Supplements Taste Charts 2026 reveal a mix of global favourites—such as citrus, berry and tropical profiles—alongside rising regional stars like lychee, hibiscus, pear, mojito and matcha. These insights help brands navigate evolving taste expectations while leveraging the advanced taste-masking and flavour system technologies required to deliver clean, consistent and appealing profiles across formats.
Built from the same consumer insight and sensory science as the core Taste Charts, the supplements edition provides practical, sample-ready guidance for manufacturers, supported by Kerry’s formulation expertise and accessible directly through KerryNow in most regions.
From Insight to Action
The charts map flavours in Kerry’s Now, New and Next framework, making it easier for brands to identify what’s trending, what’s accelerating and what’s coming next—whether in foods, beverages or supplements.
For the first time, the Taste Charts connect directly to KerryNow, enabling customers to request samples, explore flavour options and access formulation support quickly. Flavours are sample-ready, helping accelerate the journey from insight to concept to finished product.
