Invited to a summer barbecue? You’re already moving into flavor-forward territory. According to Mintel’s Flavor Forecast 25th Edition, “Charred & Smoked” belongs to 2025’s standout trends. These bold, fire-kissed notes extend beyond the grill—they’re showing up in surprising places. Charred pineapple on pizza. Smoked bell peppers in cocktails. Even desserts are getting a smoky twist. Food Business News predicts these cooking-inspired flavors will unlock new taste experiences across the board. Want to see how smoky flavors are adding heat to everything from snacks to sips? Read on.

Exciting taste adventures await

Bold flavors like smoke and char are heating up. They tap into our craving for adventure. “Smoke and char” are pushing bold taste to the forefront, says chef Rob Corliss, founder of ATE (All Things Epicurean). Gen Z is leading the way. Younger consumers want flavors that excite, tell a story, and spark emotion.

The “swicy” (sweet and spicy) trend lit the fire. Now, smoky and charred notes take it further, adding depth, complexity, and sophistication. Expect to see them everywhere. In condiments. In salsas. On snacks. Think smoked paprika, Calabrian chili butter, charred honey aioli, and smoke-kissed sea salt on chocolate. In 2025, expect a wider variety of “named” smoke flavors like hickory, mesquite, and applewood. Consider gifting (or keeping) Colgin’s Liquid Smoke Gift Set, which features BBQ marinades in apple, pecan, hickory, and mesquite flavors.

Consumer preferences for more natural sweetening ingredients like honey are rising. That’s helped boost maple, now used to add smoky depth to proteins and spirits like bourbon. Smoky, salty snack flavors are trending, too. Just check out Smokecraftq’s Instagram post on their new Smoked Popcorn and Smoked Cheetos. Liquid taste sensations will make their way into cocktails, with subtle hints of smoke complementing existing fruit and spice notes. Fruity and spicy notes, along with a subtle hint of smoke, are also elevating non-alcoholic beverages. Consider trying these “Innovative Smoked Cocktails for the Adventurous Drinker”!

Symvision AI flagged smoke as a rising trend in sauces and processed meats. Symrise offers a wide portfolio of smoke taste solutions tailored to the individual regions and preferences either creating sauces that capture smoky complexity, a sweet heat balance, or bold BBQ vibes. Expect to see these smoky notes popping up in global dishes, chicken tenders, burgers, and also desserts. BBQ may excel where it started. For the smoky trend? It’s going everywhere.

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