Flavours of the Americas

Why Central and South American flavours are on trend

Global flavours - part of a highly globalized world

Global flavours

The United States maintains its position as the leading global economy and the wealthiest country in the world, measured by GDP. The US market is becoming more diverse, and this is reflected in the increasing demand for exotic and global flavors. Across various categories, new and exciting flavors from around the world are emerging. Among the top 20 fastest-growing cuisines identified over the past three years are Caribbean and South American, with Peruvian and Argentinian cuisines featured as the fastest-growing for 2023. Mexican food is another trend that is growing in popularity, offering a much greater breadth and depth of food culture to discover than just a handful of familiar recipes. The Hispanic community represents 19% of the U.S. population, up 23% over the past decade, outpacing the nation’s overall population growth of 7%. With a buying power of $2.7 trillion, if U.S. Latinos were a standalone economy, they would be the seventh-largest GDP in the world—ahead of Italy, Brazil, and Canada. According to Nielsen, Hispanic influence will proliferate in 2025. Flavours like Curuba, Prickly Pear, and Pitanga have the potential in a market where consumers are always looking for the next exciting flavour

50% of U.S. consumers say they would like stores to offer food/drink that comes from different places around the world

92% of UK consumers have eaten world cuisines in the last three months.

40% of French consumers say they like to try flavours that are inspired by the food and drink of other countries

Statista I The 20 countries with the largest gross domestic product in 2024
Nielsen I Beverage trends 2024
Forbes I Top-10 largest economies in the world
Foodmatterslive I Flavour and cuisine trends 2024
Speciliatyfoodmaganzine I Why Mexican food is trending
Nielsen I Hispanic representation in the US
Nielsen I A lookback at 2023 alcohol trends

Nielsen I What to expect in 2025

Products frequently featuring flavours from the Americas

Flavours from predominantly South and Central America are widely used in beverages such as beer, flavoured water, alcoholic RTDs, soft drinks, and energy drinks.

Energy drinks

The energy drink market is highly competitive, and brands are constantly seeking to differentiate themselves. Bold, global flavours bring an exotic and unique appeal that help products stand out. Moreover, many Latin American ingredients, such as Yerba Maté, Guayusa, and Yaupon, are known for their natural energy-boosting properties and are positioned as alternatives to regular caffeine.

Beer

Many Latin American flavours, such as Curuba, Passionfruit, and Pitanga, add a vibrant element and naturally complement the taste of beer. Their refreshing, citrusy, and sometimes pungent notes pair well with the bitterness of hops, the sweetness of malt, and the overall complexity of beer.

Soft Drinks

As global palates expand, consumers are drawn to exotic and unfamiliar flavours. Asian ingredients offer a sense of novelty and adventure, making them attractive choices for carbonated drinks

Alcoholic RTDs

Latin American flavours often integrate well with the alcohol base in RTDs. For example bright, citrusy flavours like pineapple, Guava or Passion fruit can balance the heat of alcohol, creating a refreshing, well-rounded drink.

Flavoured water

Flavoured water provides a pure, refreshing canvas to showcase a variety of vibrant flavours. Bright, refreshing and citral fruits are a perfect match for lighter, less sweet applications like flavoured water.

Examples of American flavours

Guava

Sweet, fruity and exotic

Prickly Pear

Also known as Fico D'india or Cactus Pear - Mild, refreshing, and slightly tropical

Pitanga

Fruity, tropical, intensive and woody - Pitanga is also known as Brazilian cherry.

Jalapeño

Spicy, hot and peppery

Guavasteen

Tropical, fruity and sweet - Guavasteen is also known as "Feijoa".

Pink Pineapple

Sweet, candy-like and slightly acidic.

Guanabana

Fruity, sweet, green and slightly sulfurous - Guanabana is also known as Soursop.

Paw Paw

Aromatic, creamy and tropical - Paw Paw is sometimes confused with papaya, but it is a distinct fruit with its own distinct flavor profile

POG - Passion Fruit, Orange and Guava

Also known as "Hawaiian Juice" - a well-balanced mix of sweet, tart, and tropical flavours

Sugar Apple

Sweet, fruity and creamy - Sugar apple is also known as sweetsop or cherimoya. Sugar apple is known for its intense sweetness, which is often likened to a combination of banana, pineapple, and mango