Consumers are drawn to the comfort and familiarity of authenticity and traditional food and beverage. There’s a growing desire to reconnect with cultural roots, rediscover heritage-inspired recipes and experience the rich stories behind time-honored ingredients.

These desires reflect a yearning for deeper connections and provide a way for consumers to embrace the authenticity of the past to bring meaning and nostalgia to their dining experiences. We’ve rounded up the 5 Trends to Watch that dive deeper into how this trend will be seen in the category this year.

Check out our 5 Trends to Watch in 2025 featuring Savory:

1. Embracing Authenticity 

Consumers are looking to discover their heritage, embracing tradition and authenticity through food and drink. African cuisine continues to pique consumer interest, especially Moroccan recipes. As a result, we are beginning to see authentic Moroccan sauces in retailers like Al’fez Smoky Harissa Chicken Sauce and Villa Jerada Harissa Fiery Moroccan Hot Sauce. 

2. Asian-Inspired Cuisines 

With the rise of fusion dishes and creative flavor pairings, ingredients like miso, yuzu, gochujang, and pandan are gaining popularity in mainstream markets. This trend is fueled by an increased interest in health-conscious eating, as many Asian cuisines emphasize fresh, nutrient-rich ingredients and balanced flavor profiles. Additionally, social media’s role in showcasing visually stunning dishes from across Asia is inspiring both home cooks and food innovators to explore these vibrant culinary traditions.  

 3. New Nostalgia 

The craving for nostalgia isn’t going anywhere but will evolve in 2025. While consumers are embracing authenticity, they want to cross that over into the nostalgia macrotrend by trying new products with traditional recipe-inspired flavors. For example, M&M’S Peanut Butter & Jelly.  

 4. Protein Rich

Weight management continues to be a top health concern for consumers globally. We expect to continue seeing new launches with targeted weight management claims and highlighting protein-rich recipes. Nestlé is targeting GLP-1 users with Vital Pursuit, a line of meals that offer “high protein with essential nutrients.” 

 5. Swicy

Swicy – a blend of sweet and spicy flavors – will gain popularity in the savory category in 2025 because of its dynamic appeal to adventurous eaters and its versatility in global cuisines. Consumers continue to crave bold, complex taste experiences that balance heat with a hint of sweetness, making swicy ideal for marinades, sauces and snacks. As the fusion of contrasting tastes remains a top flavor trend, swicy is set to dominate menus and packaged savory foods alike.  

Let’s Chat

To help deliver on consumer expectations for authenticity and traditional recipes, Synergy’s savory experts will help you every step of the way. From comforting classics to bold new African flavor profiles, our collaborative environment will help you create great-tasting food with our natural flavors, extracts, essences and taste modulation solutions.

Contact us to learn more about our savory expertise.

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