HUNT VALLEY, Md., Dec. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today,
McCormick & Company, Inc., a global leader in flavor, released
the McCormick® Flavor Forecast® 2018. This annual report is a
comprehensive look at the latest ingredients, cooking techniques
and culinary ideas driving what's next in flavor at restaurants, on
retail shelves and in home kitchens.
This year's Flavor Forecast highlights the casual, adventurous
and interactive nature of how people are eating across the globe
today. Dive into street food flavor fusion with a gyro-taco hybrid
– plantain arepas filled with grilled steak and tzatziki hot sauce.
Discover a Japanese izakaya favorite, onigiri stuffed rice balls,
sprinkled with furikake seasoning. And, take a bite of East Africa with spicy Tanzanian BBQ skewers
and tomato onion sauce.
Since 2000, McCormick has deployed its international team of
experts, chefs, trend trackers and food technologists to explore
and identify tomorrow's favorite flavors featured in its annual
Flavor Forecast. The team predicted smoky, spicy chipotle in 2000,
rich and versatile maple in 2007, refreshingly sweet coconut water
and milk in 2008, golden turmeric in 2010 and tangy, savory Korean
BBQ in 2012.
"For 2018, look to new eating experiences that invite sharing,
are globally inspired and pack a flavorful punch," said McCormick
Executive Chef Kevan Vetter. "A
steamy pot of spiced broth is the centerpiece of an Asian hot pot
cooking party. Meat, seafood and veggies are offered for dunking,
then scooped out and topped with various sauces and fresh
garnishes. Change up the ingredients to make it a Mexican or West
Indies hot pot next time."
Discover the Flavors of 2018
1. Handheld Flavor Fusion – Take to the streets for the
latest fusing of global cuisines. Carts, trucks and food halls are
merging high-flavor fillings with unique crepes, buns and breads
for loaded street fare you eat with your hands.
- Sizzling Egg Crepes: Called jianbing in China and dan bing in Taiwan, these thin pancakes are griddled,
filled and rolled up like a burrito. Stuff these Asian wraps with
regional American tastes like smoky pork, crisp slaw and tangy
sauce for a Southern twist.
- Gyros Meet Arepas: Arepas are the taco-sandwich hybrid
you must try. Split and fill these crispy corn cakes with sliced
meat, veggies and spicy tzatziki sauce–it's a blissful union of the
best tastes and textures South
America and Greece have to
offer.
- Dessert Bao Buns: In China, these soft, steamed buns are typically
served up savory. But, with a simple dough and classic pie
fillings, you can create the ultimate handheld dessert–like a
British banoffee pie bao with bananas, cream, cinnamon and
toffee.
2. A Bite of East Africa
– East African cuisine is a treasure trove of flavor. The signature
seasonings, BBQ marinades and sauces of Tanzania and Ethiopia are being explored across the
globe.
- Berbere Spice Blend: Ethiopia's most popular seasoning contains an
array of spices like paprika, allspice, coriander, cardamom,
ginger, cinnamon and red pepper. Its hot, sweet and citrusy flavor
lends richness to whatever it touches, whether rubbed on meats,
stirred into soups and stews, or sprinkled onto lentils and
veggies.
- Tanzanian BBQ: These meat skewers, called mishkaki, are
similar to shish kebabs. The traditional marinade blends lemon,
tomatoes and green papaya to tenderize the meat, while curry,
garlic, red pepper and ginger add bold flavor.
3. Japanese Izakaya Eats – Sushi isn't the only
bite-sized food Japan has to
offer. Izakayas–Japanese gastropubs–serve up
casual tasting plates, similar to Spanish tapas. Featuring
bold glazes, seaweed seasonings and tangy dipping sauces, these
dishes are an explosion of flavor.
- Miso Sake Yakitori
Glaze: It's all about the glaze. This tangy, sweet and savory
sauce adds excitement to grilled chicken and seafood skewers. Brush
on to instantly impress dinner guests with a distinctive char and
bright, glossy look.
- The Essential Furikake Seasoning: In Japan, furikake is sprinkled on everything
from rice and noodles to veggies and seafood. This coarse mixture
of seaweed, sesame, dried seafood, sugar and salt offers umami
deliciousness and a subtle, sweet flavor.
- Onigiri– Stuffed Rice Balls: Rice balls filled
with flavorful goodness are served in almost every izakaya in
Japan. Stuff them with ginger
& plum vinegar-infused chicken for a sweet and zesty
snack.
4. Drink to Your Wellness – Wellness never tasted so
good. Breakfast boosts, snacking soups and end-of-day sips feature
robust flavors and uplifting ingredients like cucumber, dandelion
greens, ginger, turmeric and cayenne pepper. Awaken, stay
energized, rebalance and above all, enjoy.
- The Morning Jumpstart: Swap your coffee for a wake-up
call that's packed with tart green apples, refreshing cucumbers,
tangy-sweet clementines and a bold kick of cayenne.
- The Afternoon Soup: Power through your day with a
drinkable soup. Oyster mushrooms, avocado, thyme and sage provide
satisfying flavor for the ultimate pick-me-up.
- The Evening Elixir: Rebalance after a busy day. For the
ultimate replenishing mocktail, muddle fresh pineapple with ginger,
turmeric and dandelion greens, then top with a splash of sparkling
water.
5. Globetrot with Hot Pot – Throw an Asian hot pot party
and leave the cooking to your guests. Gather friends around a
steamy pot of deeply flavored broth. Offer meat, seafood and
veggies for dunking, then finish with various toppings for a new
DIY meal. This East Asian favorite can be easily changed up to go
Mexican, Caribbean and more.
- Puebla Hot Pot: Steeping ancho chile, smoked paprika and
spices in chicken stock gives this Central Mexican-inspired hot pot
a smoky, savory taste. Use it to cook chicken or pork, and finish
with corn, avocado crema and fresh garnishes for a festive
feast.
- West Indies Hot Pot: This hot pot features an amazing
spiced coconut milk broth. Bay leaves, thyme, turmeric and allspice
add intense flavor to the broth, which quickly cooks the seafood.
Top it off with a chile papaya pica sauce and plantain chips for a
Caribbean vacation right in your
kitchen.
To learn more about the flavors of 2018, including recipes and
tips for tasting them now, visit FlavorForecast.com.
About Flavor Forecast
Since 2000, the annual
McCormick® Flavor Forecast® has
identified top trends and ingredients to discover the tastes of
tomorrow. For 128 years, McCormick & Company has been guided by
a passion for flavor. This passion drives our constant pursuit
of what's next in flavor. Created by a global team of McCormick
experts — including chefs, culinary professionals, trend trackers
and food technologists — the Flavor Forecast inspires culinary
exploration and innovation around the world. These ingredients and
recipes inspire home cooks and professional chefs around the world
to experience and share the joy of flavor.
Visit FlavorForecast.com to learn more.
About McCormick
McCormick & Company, Incorporated
(NYSE: MKC) is a global leader in flavor. With $4.4 billion in annual sales, the company
manufactures, markets and distributes spices, seasoning mixes,
condiments and other flavorful products to the entire food industry
– retail outlets, food manufacturers and foodservice businesses.
Every day, no matter where or what you eat, you can enjoy food
flavored by McCormick. McCormick Brings the Joy of Flavor to Life™.
For more information, visit www.mccormickcorporation.com.
CONTACTS:
Laurie Harrsen
McCormick & Company, Inc.
410.527.8753
Laurie_Harrsen@mccormick.com
Lauren O'Leary
APCO Worldwide
646.556.9323
Loleary@apcoworldwide.com
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