What You Missed at NRA 2025: The Top 5 Food Trends That Matter

The NRA 2025 Trends Webinar made one thing very clear: food and beverage is shifting fast, and those shifts are driven by real consumer needs and trade realities. With restaurant closures up 6x in Q1 2025 compared to Q4 2024, and tariff mentions up 780% across social channels, the conversation at McCormick Place wasn’t just about flavors—it was about survival, speed, and strategy source.

If you weren’t at Booth 6674, don’t worry—we’ve got the insights you need. Below, Lee Brymer and Miriam Aniel from Tastewise breaks down what’s next and what matters most.

1. Hydration gets a flavor boost: boba tea leads the way

Boba tea was everywhere. Lee noted over 30 booths showcased popping boba and tapioca pearls—not just in tea, but in lattes, energy drinks, and more.

“The name of the game was boba. I saw it at least at 15 booths and in at least 15 more product samples across the floor.” 

Why it matters? Consumer demand for hydration is up 9% YoY, and boba demand in foodservice is up 21% YoY, making it the flavor-meets-function trend to watch. Add personalization and low-sugar claims, and you’ve got a winning product experience.

2. Heat is still trending: gochujang, hot honey, and more

Beyond boba, bold flavors ruled the floor. Gochujang was a standout across sauces, marinades, and bulk foodservice applications. But it didn’t stop there—hot honey, salsa macha, and even guajillo pepper were featured in dips, dressings, and heat-forward formats.

Lee noted:

“We’re seeing gochujang, hot honey, and salsa macha all hitting that sweet spot—established but still growing. The exciting part? They’re finally foodservice-ready.”

These aren’t new ingredients to chefs, but the shift is in access and scale. What was once only on trend-driven menus is now available in ready-to-use, bulk formats for wide adoption.

That said, timing matters:

“The thing is, if you’re just now jumping on gochujang or boba, you might already be late. These are peaking trends. Still relevant, still growing, but not early signals anymore.”

If you’re looking to lead in food trends 2025, the opportunity isn’t just in riding the wave—it’s in knowing what comes next. Tastewise helps you spot and act on those early signals before they hit the mainstream.

3. Experience matters: personalization + indulgence

Popping boba, peelable gummies, and other interactive products are fueling consumer curiosity. These “experience-first” formats appeal strongly to Gen Z and Alpha, giving operators a new lever for upsell and differentiation.

Personalization is key. Customizable drinks with sensory elements (like popping pearls or edible straws) deliver more than hydration—they deliver moments.

4. Local matters, tariffs matter more

In 2025, you can’t ignore the supply chain. Miriam notes how tariff mentions are up 780%, yet foodservice menus still underutilize local messaging—only a 4.5% YoY increase in local callouts.

Lee noticed tension on the show floor:

“Some booths had signs that said “No Tariffs” but had that crossed out with a marker and updated rates. People didn’t want to talk about it. You could feel the uncertainty.”

If you produce in the U.S., say it. Don’t print permanent signage—go digital. If you import, provide transparency and solutions. Either way, messaging matters.

5. Automation gets smarter—but not for everyone (yet)

From robotic arms flipping burgers to self-service POS systems, automation drew crowds—but it’s still largely show-floor spectacle for small operators. The real action is in data-backed personalization, front-of-house UX, and supply chain tech.

If you’re a supplier, think beyond the robot. How are you offering efficiency, speed, and insight?

What’s your next move?

The NRA 2025 Trends Webinar made it clear: from hydration to heat, from tech to tariffs, the food industry is shifting. These aren’t passing fads—they’re reactions to rising pressure and smarter, savvier diners.

Lee and Miriam helped make sense of what matters now. The best next step? Start turning trend talk into execution.

And if you’re ready to go from insight to activation—we’re here.