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From value to tradition and nostalgia and more, we’re taking a look at a few topics that are of interest this year for consumers in relation to their food and beverage purchases. Our proprietary survey* asked consumers to rank relevant trends in the industry, and we will be sharing with you the top four topics consumers are most interested in to pursue their ideal lifestyle. Let’s dive in and see where you can find inspiration for your brand!

Key Consumer Interests:

• Value
• Tradition & Nostalgia
• Wellness & Nutritional Balance
• Cooking at Home

Value

Our survey defines value as the balance of quality, taste, and price, ensuring a satisfying and worthwhile experience with foods, beverages, and dining at restaurants. This is the second year in a row that value has landed in the #1 spot in our proprietary survey. More now than ever, today’s consumers are focused on the value of the product instead of the price. They’re shopping private label, gauging the simplicity and ease of purchase, promotions, quality ingredients and more. By uncovering consumers’ key purchase motivations as well as their taste and flavor preferences, brands can find success.

94% of consumers seek food and beverage products that they consider a good value, not just the lowest price – McCormick Flavor Solutions 2025 Consumer Survey

Trends Spotted:

Private Label Redefining Product Worth
Consumers are opting for store brands that feature classic offerings as well as bold flavors and combinations. For example, Target’s Favorite Day Sea Monster Ice Cream is a blue-colored and vanilla-flavored ice cream with a cookie swirl and cookie dough pieces for $4.99. | Target

Value Meal Offerings
Value meal offerings were seen this year especially in the dining space. Chipotle launched its Build Your Own Chipotle family-style meal that serves 4–6 people. Consumers have been finding value by buying the offering and meal prepping for the week. | Chipotle

Tradition & Nostalgia

Our survey defines tradition and nostalgia as a longing for the past sparked by familiar flavors, aromas, and comforting memories tied to personal food traditions. Consumers today are seeking comfort, and it often comes from reminders of their past. Developers can tap into some of consumers’ positive memories to bring them back to simpler times.

Even younger consumers are looking for nostalgic tastes — but with new, unexpected, and tasty twists.

The familiarity of timeless traditional foods and flavors provides inexpensive, warm feelings, reconnecting with great memories and past times – Food Navigator

Trends Spotted:

Koia Protein Fruity Cereal Plant-Based Shake is said to have a “sweet taste of nostalgia without the sugar rush.” The product features 18g of plant protein and 4g of sugar that tastes like the bottom of a favorite childhood cereal bowl. | Koia

Shirley Temple Poppi is a new launch that features the nostalgic flavor of a Shirley Temple with 5g sugar, ingredients you can love, and prebiotics for an added health benefit. | Poppi

Wellness & Nutritional Balance

Our survey defines wellness and nutritional balance as interest in foods that support health and nutrition through key ingredients or benefit claims like gut or mental wellness. Today’s consumers don’t just want a fad diet; they want mindful food and beverage options that support their goals. Wellness for them is a mindset and a long-term lifestyle priority. But while the wellness benefit is important, taste will always be key.

The Global Wellness Market is predicted to reach $9 Trillion in 2028 – Global Wellness Institute

Trends Spotted:

Khloud Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn Protein Popcorn features a blend of sweet and savory with cane sugar, mineral salt, and milk protein. The snack provides 7g of protein per serving and was recently made available at Starbucks for purchase.

Oikos Fusion Mixed Berry Cultured Dairy Drink features natural flavors and provides muscle and digestive support with protein and prebiotic fiber. | Mintel

Cooking at Home

Our survey defines cooking at home as enjoying or needing more home-cooked meals as prices rise, while finding comfort in control over ingredients, dishes, and cost. As consumers focus more on value and wellness, cooking at home allows greater control over personal and family diets. Developers can find opportunities in providing flavorful, convenient, and better-for-you choices.

“In the last few years, consumers increasingly learned how to cook, and they like it… They’re getting better at it.” – Brendan Foley, McCormick Chief Executive Officer

Trends Spotted:

Wegmans Cook-in-Bag Meals feature fresh proteins and sauces designed for cooking in the oven or slow cooker, simplifying fresh meal preparation across cuisines like Thai, Indian, Italian, and comfort food. | Wegmans

Produce Butchers have been introduced at select Whole Foods locations to provide convenience, meal inspiration, and prep guidance. Produce Butchers prep vegetables for cooking and help guide shoppers in the kitchen. | Whole Foods, Mintel

The Takeaways

Consumers are making food and beverage choices with a strong emphasis on value, tradition and nostalgia, wellness and nutritional balance, and cooking at home. These trends reveal valuable insights into how brands can connect with their audiences by aligning with priorities and taste preferences. Whether it’s creating valuable offerings, tapping into nostalgia with a twist, balancing great taste with wellness benefits, or delivering new cooking-at-home solutions, there is ample opportunity to innovate in 2026 and beyond.

Considering what’s next in your product innovation? We’ve got you covered.

Download the 2026 Trends of Interest Report

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What does true partnership look like? You deserve a flavor partner ready to turn these trends into the tangible.
Let McCormick Flavor Solutions market insight and research experts get to work for you. Translate these trends into bold new ideas for your brand. Increase market share and get to your “what’s next.” Our technical flavor, seasoning and product development experts are also at your service to help meet the labeling and flavor profile needs for your products to capitalize on this consumer trend.
From concept to manufacturing, we’re here for you — every step of the way. Contact your sales representative or chat us up here.