Weekly Wrap on Food and Beverage Trends: Global Flavors, Visual Drinks, and Better-For-You Indulgence

Looking for your next big flavor move? This week’s food and beverage trends roundup is wrapped and ready to go, highlighting what’s catching attention across menus, social feeds, and home kitchens worldwide. From nostalgic banana pudding crossing borders to bold, fusion-forward plates, these insights, grounded in real-time consumer behavior, offer a fresh perspective on what’s driving craveability right now.

Each edition taps into the Tastewise platform’s ability to capture and analyze trends as they happen, helping F&B innovators, from product developers to marketers, turn ideas into action faster than ever. Whether you’re refreshing a menu, creating a new SKU, or refining your brand story, these trends are here to spark inspiration and accelerate your next move in a market that never slows down.

1. Banana Pudding Goes Global 🇺🇸🇫🇷

(+63.7% YoY in France, +24.9% YoY in the USA)
Once a Southern comfort dessert, banana pudding is stepping onto the global stage. From Magnolia Bakery’s cult classic to social media copycats, this creamy, nostalgic flavor is finding fans far beyond its roots. New formats, banana pudding lattes, cookies, and frozen pints, are widening the audience, with Gen Z leading the charge.
Trend takeaway: Consider banana pudding in unexpected applications to tap into cross-cultural nostalgia.

2. Nikkei Cuisine Is On the Rise 🇺🇸🇪🇸

(+21% YoY in the US, +28% YoY in Spain)
A bold meeting of Japanese technique and Peruvian flavor, Nikkei cuisine delivers layered, umami-packed dishes that are as photogenic as they are flavorful. Think tiradito and ceviche tacos, or sushi rolls with aji amarillo. It’s versatile, premium, and rooted in authenticity—a combination that resonates with both diners and social audiences.
Trend takeaway: Pair authenticity with visual appeal to make menu items social media-ready.

3. Café Drinks Get a Visual Upgrade 🇺🇸

(+42.3% YoY for layered drinks, 22% share for visual attractiveness)
In 2025, taste is only part of the story, looks matter. From matcha-berry foam lattes to mango-swirled spritzes, layered drinks are dominating TikTok feeds with their scroll-stopping colors. Cafés and boba shops are embracing the trend, knowing that every share is a potential sales boost.
Trend takeaway: Layered visuals can turn a beverage into a brand moment.

4. Hibachi Heats Up 🇺🇸🇫🇷

(+42% YoY in the US, +64% YoY in France)
Dinner-as-a-show is back. Hibachi brings fire tricks, onion volcanoes, and chef theatrics to the table, ideal for celebrations and group dining. It’s big on entertainment, customization, and shareability, with TikTok and Instagram driving the buzz. Even at-home hibachi chef services are gaining traction.
Trend takeaway: Experience-driven dining can spark as much interest as the menu itself.

5. Date Caramel Rises as a Better-For-You Swap 🇫🇷🇺🇸

(+55% YoY in the USA, +35% YoY in France)
Made from just dates, salt, and vanilla, date caramel is the naturally sweet alternative that fits vegan, paleo, gluten-free, and clean-label demands. It’s indulgent yet nutrient-rich, making it a hit in health-conscious bakeries and functional dessert brands.
Trend takeaway: Better-for-you indulgence bridges the gap between wellness and pleasure.