From spice blends and pastes to snacks, the Godrej Food Trends Report 2026 explores how convenience is
finding its place in India's evolving food traditions.
With Navratri celebrations underway, kitchens across India are adapting to the rhythm of the festive season,
from preparing vrat-friendly meals to bringing family favourites to the table. With busy schedules and last-
minute plans often shaping festive preparations, quick commerce is making it easier to access ingredients
and convenient food formats when needed. While the traditions and flavours associated with these occasions remain familiar, the way people prepare for them is evolving. Spice blends, cooking pastes, pre-prepared bases and ready-to-cook options are helping simplify time in the kitchen, giving households more flexibility to balance festive cooking with the many other moments that make the season special.
This shift towards more convenient cooking formats is reflected in the Godrej Food Trends Report 2026 (GFTR 2026), which points to the growing innovation potential of these categories. According to the report, 94% of the panel expects spice blends and pastes to see the most innovation in 2026, followed by snacks and munchies (81%) and dips, chutneys and sauces (75%). The findings reflect an interest in convenient, clean and additive-free options for home cooking, alongside demand for better-for-you foods and new flavours.
Beyond convenience, quick commerce is changing how consumers discover and experiment with food products. By bringing a wider range of options within easy reach, digital platforms are making it easier to explore new flavours, try different formats and find products suited to specific festive occasions. Categories such as snacks, dips and sauces are particularly well placed to benefit, as consumers look for new ways to customise familiar foods.
Anushree Dewen, Head of Marketing and Innovation, Godrej Foods Ltd, highlights the role of quick commerce in reshaping the consumer journey, stating, “Digital is now a complete ecosystem where awareness, discovery, trial and repeat can happen within minutes. The traditional gap between discovering a product and purchasing it has significantly narrowed.” This shift is also influencing snacking innovation, with consumers seeking more adventurous flavours and greater flexibility in how they enjoy their food. Dips and sauces, for instance, offer ways to customise familiar snacks and explore new taste combinations.
The growing relevance of convenience does not mean moving away from traditional cooking. Consumers can simplify individual steps through pre-prepared bases, spice blends and ready-to-cook snacks while retaining control over the final preparation and flavours. As Sadiq Gaziyani, Founder & Roaster at Drum Coffee Roasters, observes, “Frozen foods and snacks will grow steadily because they fit busy lifestyles. Overall, innovation feels strongest where convenience meets daily consumption.”
As Navratri and the wider festive season bring specific food preferences and family favourites into focus, convenience formats are finding a role in how households plan their meals. The opportunity lies in making preparation more flexible while allowing the flavours, rituals and shared experiences of festive cooking to
remain at the heart of the occasion.
