WHAT CONSUMERS WANT IN 2026
Americas Food Trends Edition
The Americas
food predictions
you don't want to miss
At IRCA Group, we keep monitoring the evolution of food trends across the Americas, providing professionals with insights and solutions to navigate an ever-changing market.
As we look ahead to 2026, consumer behaviour reflects a search for balance and meaning, embracing inclusivity and diversity, seeking purpose-driven experiences, and rediscovering tradition as a source of comfort and trust.
Explore with us the Consumer Trends shaping the future of taste.
What you will see
everywhere
Whether you work in fine pastry, ice cream, bakery, or industrial production, these three macro trends will define 2026, influencing every new product concept, flavor pairing, and viral creation. Consumers are moving toward experiences that feel personal yet universal, where indulgence meets purpose.
From bold multicultural fusions to comforting reinterpretations of the classics, and from sensory overloads to mindful indulgence, 2026 will be a year where expression, balance, and emotion take center stage.
Maxing out on diversity
Classic
with a twist
Sensory with intention
Maxing out on diversity:
From better for you, to designed for you
Consumers are moving away from restrictive goals and leaning into inclusive diets that celebrate diversity, personalization, and the nutritional value of varied ingredients.
At IRCA Group, we craft functional yet indulgent products, designed layer by layer to inspire creativity and meet every professional’s needs.
Nuts like pistachios naturally align with this shift, often perceived as better-for-you ingredients thanks to their rich nutrients and inherently wholesome image.
Classic with a twist:
Reimagining heritage through innovation
In times of uncertainty, familiar flavors bring comfort, yet consumers also crave a touch of innovation in the classics they love.
We’re reinterpreting traditional favorites through modern lens, combining authenticity with fresh perspectives to deliver timeless indulgence with a contemporary edge.
Dobla chocolate decorations bring this vision to life: adding a modern twist that transforms a traditional dessert into something innovative and eye-catching.
Sensory with intention:
Entering the sensorial era
Consumers are responding to textures, colors, and aromas designed to evoke emotion, whether through soft textures and smaller portions for aging populations, adaptive formats for neurodiverse sensitivities, or fine-dining-inspired bites that satisfy with less.
Multisensory innovation is no longer only about taste. It’s about designing for feeling, creating experiences that tap into memory, comfort, and joy.
Fillings enriched with textured inclusions play a key role in this shift, adding depth, contrast, and layers of sensation that elevate modern desserts with the multisensory experiences consumers crave.
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