Fall Flavor Trends 2024

Welcome back to our 3rd edition…Trendy Tastes

Our 2024 flavor journey has unfolded with vibrant freshness and bold, globally inspired tastes. As we transition into fall, we reflect on the trends that have shaped our palates, while anticipating the flavors that will drive innovation into year’s end—and set the stage for 2025.

1. Global Exploration and Cultural Diversity
• Lifestyle Impact: Both Gen Z and Millennials have grown up in a world where access to global cuisines is easier than ever, thanks to social media, travel, and diverse communities. They embrace global flavors and are eager to experience new culinary traditions.
• Flavor Impact: This has resulted in the rise of Southeast Asian flavors like tamarind, lemongrass, and sambal, as well as fermented and umami-rich ingredients such as miso, black garlic, and kimchi. These flavors cater to their desire for adventure and authenticity, often tied to personal values of inclusivity and cultural appreciation.

2. Health & Wellness Consciousness
• Lifestyle Impact: Both Millennials and Gen Z are focused on health and wellness, but in a balanced way. They value natural, plant-based ingredients and holistic wellness, yet also enjoy indulgence in moderation. Gen Alpha, influenced by their health-focused parents, is growing up in a wellness-
centric environment.
• Flavor Impact: This has driven the demand for savory flavors that balance indulgence with health. For example, plant-based umami flavors (like mushroom and miso) offer rich, satisfying tastes without relying on animal products. Herbal and botanical infusions (rosemary, turmeric, ginger) reflect their wellness-driven preferences while still delivering bold flavors.

3. Sustainability and Ethical Consumption
• Lifestyle Impact: Sustainability is central to the identity of these generations. Gen Z and Millennials are highly aware of climate change and environmental issues, which has shaped their food choices, emphasizing local, plant-based, and ethically sourced ingredients.
• Flavor Impact: The rise of plant-based umami flavors (mushroom, soy, fermented foods) and alternative ingredients like seaweed-based broths or chickpea-based sauces correlates with their desire for sustainability. These flavors meet their cravings for rich, deep tastes while aligning with their environmental values.

4. Desire for Unique, Shareable Experiences
• Lifestyle Impact: Social media plays a key role in influencing Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and Millennials’ food choices. They seek out visually striking, highly shareable experiences, often driving the demand for unique flavor pairings that stand out on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
• Flavor Impact: This has propelled trends like savory-sweet combinations (hot honey, soy-caramel), visually bold dishes, and culturally inspired foods that offer novelty and excitement. Savory-sweet mashups, as seen in sauces like honey chili or soy-based caramel, reflect their desire for multi-sensory food experiences.

5. Crave for Bold, Unapologetic Flavors
• Lifestyle Impact: Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha are known for being unapologetic in their choices, seeking experiences that align with their personal identities. This translates to a demand for bold, in-your-face flavors that reflect their confidence and rejection of traditional norms.
• Flavor Impact: This attitude aligns with the popularity of spicy, tangy, and umami-rich flavors, like the use of chili, sambal, and black garlic in mainstream foods. Hot honey, jalapeño-infused dishes, and elevated comfort foods cater to this crave for boldness, providing a dynamic sensory experience.

6. Convenience with High Quality
• Lifestyle Impact: Both Millennials and Gen Z value convenience but refuse to compromise on quality. They want fast, convenient food options that are also fresh, flavorful, and aligned with their values.
• Flavor Impact: This has influenced innovations in quick-service restaurants (QSR) and fast-casual chains, with bold, globally influenced menu items that are both convenient and satisfying. For example, flavor profiles such as chipotle, miso, and chimichurri are being incorporated into easy-to- eat formats like bowls, wraps, and sandwiches, balancing convenience with quality and flavor complexity.

7. Inclusivity and Customization
• Lifestyle Impact: Both Millennials and Gen Z value inclusivity, expecting brands to offer options that cater to different dietary preferences and restrictions. They often look for customization in their food choices, allowing them to express their individuality.
• Flavor Impact: This has led to the rise of versatile sauces and condiments, allowing customization in fast-casual environments. Think sauces like chimichurri or spicy aiolis, which allow consumers to personalize their meals. Customization also feeds into trends like global spice blends (baharat, za’atar) and herb-forward sauces (pesto, zhoug), offering flexibility for individual flavor preferences.

1. Smoky-Sweet Heat:
Flavor Elements: Smoky chilis, maple syrup, roasted garlic, chipotle
Profile: A combination of smoky, spicy, and sweet flavors that deliver a bold, warming experience. This profile captures the essence of fall comfort with the kick of chili peppers balanced by the sweetness of maple or honey.
Application: Perfect for grilled meats, roasted vegetables, sauces, or marinades for proteins like pork or chicken.

2. Umami-Rich Comfort
Flavor Elements: Miso, black garlic, caramelized onions, mushrooms, soy
Profile: Packed with deep, savory notes, this profile focuses on umami flavors that add richness to comfort foods. Perfect for the cooler months, this profile satisfies the craving for indulgent, mouth-filling meals.
Application: Burgers, pastas, soups, braises, dips, and plant-based dishes.

3. Herbaceous & Earthy
Flavor Elements: Sage, thyme, rosemary, brown butter, roasted root vegetables
Profile: Earthy herbs paired with the rich nuttiness of browned butter and roasted fall vegetables create a comforting and familiar yet elevated flavor. It reflects fall’s harvest with a grounding, natural warmth.
Application: Roasted vegetable sides, fall-inspired grain bowls, stuffing, pasta sauces, and savory baked goods.

4. Spiced-Sweet Comfort
Flavor Elements: Cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, molasses, brown sugar.
Profile: Classic fall spices mixed with sweetness provide a warming, nostalgic profile that works equally well in savory and sweet dishes. These flavors bring out the richness in desserts, sauces, and roasted dishes.
Application: Glazes for meats, spiced baked goods, warm beverages, and roasted squash or sweet potatoes.

5. Tangy & Fermented Fusion
Flavor Elements: Kimchi, tamarind, yuzu, pickled vegetables, fermented chilis.
Profile: Balancing tangy, sour, and umami notes, this profile brings brightness to hearty fall dishes. The fermented elements offer complexity, while the tanginess cuts through the richness of fall comfort foods.
Application: Marinades, sauces, dressings, toppings for bowls, burgers, or as accents in soups and roasted dishes.

SWEET-SPICY “SWICY” GLAZES

GOCHUJANG MOLASSES GLAZE
Fontana’s Natural Gochujang Type Flavor (MP9842D3), a blend of savory Korean gochujang chili with molasses for a deep, sweet heat on pork ribs, wings, roasted vegetables, or tofu.

MAPLE CHIPOTLE-LIME GLAZE
Fontana’s Natural Chipotle Lime Flavor (VGP8511D) a smoky-sweet blend with rich maple syrup, spicy chipotle, and bright lime…delivering that perfect balance of heat & tang. Ideal match with chicken wings, pork tenderloin, or grilled veggies.

HOT HONEY CHILI CRISP GLAZE
Fontana’s Natural Hot Honey Flavor (M0819D) and Natural Spicy Chili Crisp Type Flavor (VGP1470l1), a versatile fiery & “Swicy” glaze. Perfect condiment for your favorite fruit, roasted vegetables, or grilled meat and seafood.

UMAMI-RICH & FERMENTED SAUCES

MISO GINGER MARINADE
Fontana’s Natural Miso-Ginger Type Flavor (M50210D), a savory, umami-rich blend of white miso, fresh ginger, garlic, and soy sauce with a touch of sweetness, perfect for marinating chicken, seafood, vegetables, or tofu.

BLACK GARLIC SOY REDUCTION
Fontana’s Natural Black Garlic Type Flavor (VGG6119D), a thick, savory, rich and umami-packed sauce with sweet, caramelized garlic and savory soy. ideal for drizzling over steaks, seafood, or vegetable stir-fries.

FERMENTED BLACK VINEGAR CHILI CRISP
Fontana’s Natural Black Vinegar Reduction Flavor Type (M0431D1) and Natural Spicy Chili Crisp Type Flavor (VGP0448L), a bold, tangy, spicy sauce featuring fermented black vinegar with a Szechuan Chili Crisp…bold heat, rich umami flavor and hint of sweetness. Great for adding depth to noodles, dumplings, or grilled meats.

FERMENTED FLAVORS

KIMCHI BASE SAUCE
Utilizing Fontana’s Natural Kimchi Type Flavor (VG9636D), this sauce is spicy, tangy, and rich in umami.

MISO SOY HONEY MARINADE
Featuring Fontana’s Natural Miso Type Flavor (M0137D) and low sodium soy sauce, combines the rich savory flavor of miso with the umami depth of soy sauce and subtle sweetness from honey.

BLACK VINEGAR & SESAME DIP
Using Fontana’s Natural Black Vinegar Reduction Flavor (M0431D1), this dip is a perfect balance of tanginess, sweetness, and umami.

TANGY & PICKLED DRESSINGS

TAMARIND LIME DRESSING
Fontana Natural Tamarind Type Flavor (M50552D), tangy tamarind mixed with lime juice and sesame oil, perfect for salads or noodle dishes.

YUZU MISO VINAIGRETTE
Fontana Natural Yuzukosho Type Flavor (MP3553D) and Natural Miso Type Flavor (M0137D), bright yuzu juice combined with white miso for a tangy umami-rich dressing, perfect for grilled fish, grilled tofu, or roasted squash.

PICKLED GINGER SOY DRESSING
Fontana Natural Pickled Ginger Type Flavor (M50211D), a punchy dressing made with pickled ginger and soy sauce, great for green salads , noodles, or as a dipping sauce for dumplings.

SMOKY & BOLD BBQ-INSPIRED MARINADES

MAPLE BOURBON SMOKED PAPRIKA MARINADE
Fontana’s Natural Maple Bourbon Type Flavor (M50019D), a rich, sweet, savory, and smokey marinade with smooth bourbon, bold smoked paprika, and brown sugar, creating a perfectly balanced marinade with deep savory-sweet flavors. Ideal for grilled meats, chicken, pork, & veggies.

SMOKEY ANCHO CHILI COCOA MARINADE
Featuring Fontana’s Natural Ancho Chile Type Flavor (MP8261L1) and Natural Hickory Smoked Bacon Flavor (PBC5831D), this marinade offers indulgent, earthy notes, bold, smokey blend of rich ancho chili and dark cocoa, with hints of sweetness and subtle heat. Perfect for adding depth and favor to grilled meats, chicken, & pork.

SWEET CURED SMOKED BACON-PUMPKIN SPICE BBQ SAUCE
Fontana’s Natural Sweet Cured Bacon Type Flavor (PBC5849D), a bold blend of smoky cured bacon and warm pumpkin spice, with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, balanced by molasses and smoked paprika. Perfect for burgers, chicken or dipping, it’s the ultimate fall BBQ flavor.

GLOBAL SPICE BLENDS IN DIPS & SAUCES

ZHOUG CILANTRO PESTO
Fontana’s Natural Zhoug Type Flavor (VGP0622D), this spicy Middle Eastern twist on pesto with zhoug (spicy cilantro sauce), Perfect for adding a bold, herbaceous kick to grilled meats, sandwiches, or roasted veggies.

HARISSA TAHINI DRESSING
Fontana’s Natural Harissa Type Flavor (MP9688D), and Natural Tahini Type Flavor (M6605D), this tangy, nutty dressing made with sumac and tahini is perfect for fall salads or roasted vegetables or grain bowls.

BERBERE HOT HONEY YOGURT MARINADE
Fontana’s Natural Berbere Type Flavor (M50208D), this marinade is a creamy yogurt sauce with Ethiopian berbere spice and Fontana’s Natural Hot Honey Flavor (MO819D), ideal for grilled chicken, lamb, or vegetable kebabs.

GREEN CURRY LIME COCONUT
Fontana’s Natural Green Curry Lime Flavor (M50209D), creamy, spiced sauce with coconut milk and green curry, delivering a perfect balance of heat & tang. Ideal enhancing chicken, seafood, grilled vegetables or tofu.