Tangerine and thyme, crystallized ginger and salted pistachio, wasabi and maple are just three of the new combinations unveiled in the company's annual flavor forecast, and suggest that exotic and unusual combinations will be a major trend this year.
Altogether, the top ten flavor pairings chosen by McCormick for 2007 are Clove and Green Apple, Thyme and Tangerine, Tellicherry Black Pepper and Berry, Sea Salt and Smoked Tea, Lavender and Honey, Crystallized Ginger and Salted Pistachio, Cumin and Apricot, Toasted Mustard and Fennel Seeds, Wasabi and Maple and Caramelized Garlic and Riesling Vinegar.
"In creating this report, we examined two overarching trends influencing flavor," said Laurie Harrsen, director of consumer communications at McCormick.
"The first is the ever-expanding breadth of choices, specifically within individual ingredients. Even staples like salt are now available in a diverse palette of flavor, color and texture.
"Also, global cuisines, particularly those of North Africa, Asia and the Middle East, continue to drive our exploration of new foods and flavors."
Along with the flavor experts at McCormick, chefs, television personalities, and cookbook authors contributed their thoughts to the Flavor Forecast. Since 2000, McCormick has forecasted the flavors and trends that will be on Americans' plates.