McCormick’s 2024 Flavor of the Year Is Unexpected (and Delicious)

In case you’re unfamiliar, tamarind is a tropical fruit that grows on trees in bean-like pods. Inside hides a nutrient-rich, fibrous, pasty pulp that’s beloved for its tangy, sweet-and-sour flavor. It’s native to Africa, India and the Middle East, but is also a common ingredient in Latin and Caribbean cuisines. It can be used in sauces, drinks, desserts, chutneys and marinades, but if you ever have a chance to eat it straight out of the pod, you won’t want to miss out.

The brand’s announcement coincides with its release of Tamarind & Pasilla Chile Seasoning (which is available online, BTW). In addition, Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer—aka that burger joint with the massive milkshakes that always cross your IG feed—will also be launching a few tamarind-infused menu items in February 2024.

Other Flavor Forecast predictions from McCormick include:

• Acidic Ingredients Taking the Spotlight: From tangy tamarind to gourmet vinegars, sour ingredients will continue to deliver layers of complex flavor that consumers can’t get enough of.
• Thoughtful Cultural Fusions: Regional-traditional cooking evolves as a result of our collective backgrounds, cultures and experiences. People will be inclined to cook with components that pay homage to their roots.
• Indulgence Redesigned: Through newstalgic foods (meaning what’s old is new again; see nostalgic-yet-artisanal twists on foods from your childhood, for example) and food maximalism (layering flavors and textures in over-the-top ways), we’ll be treating ourselves to all the ingredients and dishes that bring us joy in the new year.

Want to get ahead of the curve? Here are a few tamarind recipes to get you started:

• Pepper Teigen’s Thai Glazed Ribs
• Duck Egg Rolls with Chipotle Tamarind Sauce
• Tamarind Pasilla Snack Mix
• Tamarind Lemon Pepper Lemonade
• Tamarind Chile Jam Chicken Burger