ADM has unveiled its 2026 flavour and colour trends outlook, predicting that 2026 will be a year for cultivating personal resilience.
As the global consumer continues to be rocked by uncertainty and challenge, they will seek daily resilience to weather what the coming year brings.
Their deep need to feel safe and in control will be exhibited through how they choose the food and beverages that help them cope.
They will seek to maximise joy in both the small and big moments, creatively doing more with less, while prioritising wellness as a vital necessity to thrive.
ADM's new report spotlights three trend spaces influencing what flavours and colours, as well as food and beverage formats, are anticipated to captivate consumers in the year ahead.
These three categories and corresponding flavour and colour trends will mirror consumer desires to feel safe and in control, while also maximising moments of joy and prioritising wellness.
Authentic wellbeing
Wellness is now at the forefront of consumers' minds, no matter their age.
Now more than ever, people want to support their longevity and consider not only their physical well-being, but also their mental resilience and social connections.
Orange and yellow hues alongside bright citrus flavours or creamy notes reflect interest in authentic, nourishing choices.
Give me more
Deeper experiences that tantalise taste buds are necessary forms of self-care during times of uncertainty.
Consumers can enter a world of playful creativity through intriguing flavours and colours and they’re daring brands to give them more.
Bold blues and unique greens paired with culinary mash-ups and mix-ups and an "all-in-one" sensory theatre of tastes and textures encapsulate this demand.
Newstalgia dreamland
Timeless and trustworthy tastes and colours of the past reimagined in modern applications help consumers cope and feel connected, especially across generations.
The blend of tradition with innovation has led to the concept of "newstalgia," making space for richer storytelling.
Vibrant reds, pinks and purples, along with indulgent and retro tastes, bring this evolution to life.