Goodbye, Swicy: These 5 Food Trends Will Take Over 2027

If you thought we’d reached peak protein and exhausted every possible way to make coffee taste like dessert, think again. 2027 has other plans for our taste buds.

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Nestlé USA has released its 2027 food and beverage trend forecast, predicting five shifts in what Americans will be eating and drinking next year. And while some make perfect sense, others have me wondering whether a banana bread latte could revolutionize my coffee order.

Here’s what’s supposedly coming to our plates.

Sour and Zesty Flavors Are Coming For Spicy Food

For years, the food industry has been testing how much heat we can tolerate before we start questioning our life choices. But Nestlé thinks the next big flavor obsession will be less about setting our mouths on fire and more about making them pucker.

Think citrus, sumac, calamansi, and yuzu kosho. Don’t worry, those last two are new to me, too. Nestlé reports that searches for “zesty foods” have increased 130% year over year.

I’m all for this one. I love spicy food, but sometimes I want my taste buds to wake up without making my forehead sweat.

Protein Is Getting Some Extra Benefits

Protein has already found its way into everything from cereal to ice cream. At this point, I’m just waiting for the protein-enhanced bottled water. But Nestlé predicts protein alone won’t be enough to impress shoppers in 2027. Instead, expect more foods combining protein with fiber, collagen, or probiotics.

Searches pairing protein with probiotics have reportedly increased 300% year over year, while protein-and-collagen searches are up 190%.

Protein might need an extra job to keep up in this economy.

Fruit-Flavored Coffee Is Having A Moment

Nestlé expects fruit-forward coffees to become a bigger deal, particularly among younger drinkers looking for something beyond their usual vanilla latte.

According to the forecast, searches for “banana bread lattes” have skyrocketed 6,267% year over year. That’s an absurdly specific increase for an equally specific beverage.

I’ll admit, banana, cinnamon, and coffee sound like they could get along beautifully. Although I do wonder how far we’ll take this before someone tries selling us a watermelon cappuccino.

We’re Getting More Specific About Global Food

Remember when describing something as “Asian-inspired” or “Mexican-style” was enough information?

Nestlé thinks consumers are becoming more interested in the specific regions, ingredients, and traditions behind international dishes. Its research suggests 66% of consumers are interested in exploring regional variations within international cuisines.

Which makes sense. There’s a pretty big difference between the food you’ll find in different parts of Mexico, India, or Italy. And the more curious people get, the more interesting our restaurant menus should become.

Little Luxuries Are Making Food Feel Special

Finally, Nestlé predicts we’ll be looking for small touches that make everyday food feel a little more exciting. Think interesting textures, prettier presentation, premium ingredients, and unexpected flavor combinations.

According to the forecast, nearly three-quarters of U.S. consumers say small extras make an experience feel more worth the money.

And I get it. Sometimes the difference between an average dessert and a brilliant one is a crunchy topping or a little salted caramel. I’m not saying every cookie needs an elaborate makeover, but I wouldn’t complain if more came with brown butter and extra chocolate.

2027 Is Already Looking Good

Of all five predictions, I’m most excited about the return of zesty flavors and the growing interest in regional cuisines. Although I have to admit, the banana bread latte now has my attention.

Whether Nestlé gets everything right remains to be seen, but 2027 is shaping up to be a pretty interesting year for our taste buds.