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Datassential Unveils Food, Flavor, and Beverage Trends for 2027

On October 7, 2026, Datassential, a leading platform in food and beverage intelligence, presented its much-anticipated 2027 Trends Report. This report promises to illuminate the evolving culinary landscape, revealing which foods, flavors, and beverages are set to define menus and retail strategies in the coming year.

As consumer interest in innovative food and drink options continues to escalate, 75% of participants in a recent survey expressed enthusiasm for new trends to emerge in 2027. The report emphasizes that trends often debut on restaurant menus before migrating to grocery aisles, highlighting the importance of Datassential’s insights for professionals in the food industry.

2027 Trends Snapshot

One of the key features of the report is the examination of late-stage concepts gaining renewed popularity, as identified through Datassential's Menu Adoption Cycle (MAC). The MAC chronicles the lifecycle of food trends, observing their progress from inception to a point of ubiquity.

Among the trends making a comeback are traditional staples such as banana, anchovy, mango, deli salads, and the old-fashioned cocktail. According to Jaclyn Marks, Senior Publications Manager at Datassential, these ingredients are getting a fresh spin in contemporary culinary applications, such as banana-infused coffee and mango sticky rice desserts.

New Classics Making Waves

Datassential also identified ten items reaching the status of New Classics, emblematic of flavors that have begun to infiltrate mainstream consciousness. Noteworthy mentions include whipped feta, chili crisp, sticky toffee pudding, hibiscus, and the increasingly popular dirty soda. This trend mirrors past patterns, where items like ube transitioned to mainstream staples.

Future Food Gems

Another section of the report features ten emerging foods and flavors with the potential for significant growth. Buldak, a fiery Korean chicken dish; doubanjiang, a fermented paste pivotal in Sichuan cuisine; falooda, a delightful South Asian dessert; and kinilaw, a Filipino raw fish dish, are among the highlighted foods that consumers may soon be encountering more frequently.

Beverages to Watch

In terms of beverages, Datassential forecasts the rise of exciting newcomers like Vietnamese lemonade made with salted lemons, koji milk as a plant-based alternative, makgeolli, a traditional Korean rice wine, and cantarito, a Mexican cocktail served in a signature salt-rimmed cup. Each of these drinks encapsulates unique cultural influences and is expected to resonate particularly well with consumers in 2027.

Spotlight on CDMX Cuisine

Turning to broader culinary influences, the report emphasizes the significance of CDMX (Mexico City) cuisine as a rising favorite in the United States. A notable statistic revealed that 75% of Millennials are eager to explore CDMX flavors—showing a trend that could shape upcoming culinary menus significantly. The popularity of traditional offerings like pulque and pambazos is on the rise, with more consumers expressing interest in these quintessential items.

The Importance of Trend Insight

As the food industry braces for the 2027 trends, Datassential’s long-standing expertise places it in a unique position to provide valuable insights. Utilizing over two decades of data, the report emphasizes the necessity for brands and operators to adapt to evolving tastes and preferences to stay relevant in the competitive market.

Jim Emling, CEO of Datassential, stated, "We’ve consistently been ahead of trends for over two decades. With consumer optimism on the rise, now is an opportune time for foodservice professionals to innovate and plan strategically. Our AI-backed forecasts offer a high accuracy rate, empowering teams to align their strategies with these predictions."

For food and beverage professionals seeking a comprehensive look at what lies ahead, the full Datassential 2027 Trends Report, including deep dives into macro trends and insights essential for industry success, is available exclusively to subscribers. Not only does the report identify key tastes and flavors, but it also provides actionable data, ensuring that teams can navigate the future with confidence.

About Datassential

Founded in 2001, Datassential is a premier authority in the domain of food and beverage intelligence. The platform serves as an essential tool for brands, retailers, and operators, providing an intuitive approach to understanding market dynamics to create confident decisions in an ever-evolving landscape. More than 90% of top food service and consumer packaged goods companies rely on Datassential’s insights to stay ahead of the curve.

To learn more, visit Datassential.com.