McCormick Just Named Black Currant Its 2026 Flavor of the Year

McCormick just dropped its 2026 Flavor of the Year and accompanying Flavor Forecast, and this time, the spotlight belongs to Black Currant.

The deeply hued berry was chosen for its distinct yet balanced profile—sweet, tart, and rich all at once—and for its growing presence on menus and in kitchens around the world. In the U.S., Black Currant has been quietly gaining momentum as the next “it” berry, showing up in everything from pastries and savory reductions to cocktails that lean bold but refined.

According to McCormick, Black Currant’s appeal lies in its versatility and intensity. It’s vibrant without being overpowering, sophisticated without being precious, and flexible enough to bridge sweet and savory applications with ease. In other words: it’s built for the way people are cooking and drinking right now.

Alongside naming the Flavor of the Year, McCormick also released its 2026 Flavor Forecast, outlining three major trends shaping how we’ll eat in the year ahead.

The first is Attainable Opulence, a response to ongoing price sensitivity and burnout. Consumers are still craving indulgence, but they’re finding it through elevated flavors and small luxuries woven into everyday meals rather than reserved for special occasions.

Next is Simple to Spectacular, a shift toward intentional cooking that values technique, time, and quality ingredients over excess. In a hyper-digital world, there’s renewed appreciation for doing fewer things well—and letting even the most humble ingredients shine.

The third trend, Sauce from Somewhere, reflects a growing fluency in global flavors. Consumers are increasingly curious about regional tastes and are using sauces, dips, drizzles, and spreads as a low-commitment way to explore cultures, connect cuisines, and deepen everyday meals.

Since 2000, McCormick’s Flavor Forecast has tracked and anticipated shifts in how the world eats, calling the rise of flavors like Chipotle, Pumpkin Pie Spice, Korean BBQ, Ube, and the now-ubiquitous “swicy” wave. With Black Currant leading the charge into 2026, the future of flavor looks bold and balanced.