McCormick Just Revealed the Flavor of 2026

Did you know McCormick picks a Flavor of the Year just like Pantone’s Color of the Year? Unlike the latter, McCormick’s pick for 2026 is actually interesting. McCormick (the spice people, in case you couldn’t pinpoint how you knew the name) just released their Flavor Forecast for 2026. And they announced that the flavor of 2026 is….black current! Previous picks include chipotle, pumpkin spice, and Korean BBQ; let’s dig into our future, folks.

What flavor is black currant?

This berry, native to parts of Europe and Asia, is growing in popularity thanks to the tart-yet-sweet flavor and potential health benefits. Black currant can be found in jams, teas, cocktails, and more. And according to McCormick, we’ll see a lot more in the near future.

While the berry is very popular in Europe and other regions, the United States actually banned growing or selling the fruit in 1911 due to its part in the propagation of a particular fungus that could kill white pine forests. The ban was lifted federally in the 1960s, but many states had (or have) restrictions that make national cultivation pretty difficult. Processed black currant is broadly legal to sell, but it takes a long time to introduce a country to a fruit. According to McCormick, we’re far enough along in that process that 2026 will be an inflection point.

What other 2026 food trends did McCormick predict?

McCormick also called out three other consumer trends they’re predicting for 2026: “Attainable Opulence, Simple to Spectacular, and Sauce from Somewhere.” Attainable Opulence is all about “bringing elevated flavors into everyday life,” Simple to Spectacular is the idea that “anything humble becomes a showstopper” with quality ingredients and careful preparation, and Sauce from Somewhere is “flavor fluency,” the growing trend of globally-inspired flavors like gochujang and matcha being brought to the American masses.