Food Trends 2026: What flavors will your customers buy?

Jan 5, 2026

 

Understanding flavor trends is essential for brands looking to stay competitive, reduce inventory risk, and meet real customer demand. Based on the last 365 days of sales data, our 2025 Flavors Report reveals the top 15 best-selling flavors, offering a clear picture of what consistently performs across categories.

If you’re still guessing which flavors to stock, this data-driven list removes the guesswork and highlights the flavors your customers actively choose again and again.

Strawberry Remains the #1 Best-Selling Flavor

Strawberry continues to dominate as the top-selling flavor of 2025, securing the #1 position for both revenue and units sold. Its universal appeal spans beverages, confectionery, dairy alternatives, baked goods, and supplements. Consumers gravitate toward strawberry for its familiar sweetness and broad compatibility across product formats, making it a staple flavor no lineup should be without.

Vanilla Holds Its Place as a Timeless Favorite

Coming in at #2, vanilla proves that simplicity and reliability still matter. Often used as both a primary flavor and a supporting note, vanilla continues to anchor countless formulations. Its consistent performance reflects ongoing demand in clean-label, classic, and indulgent products alike.

Berry Flavors Continue to Perform Strongly

Blueberry profiles maintain a strong presence in the top rankings. This flavor is especially popular in wellness-focused products, beverages, and functional foods, where consumers associate berries with freshness, bold flavor, and perceived health benefits.

Peach Delivers Year-Round Sunshine

Peach continues to perform strongly thanks to its naturally sweet, sun-ripened profile that appeals across beverages, baked goods, and confections. Its soft acidity and familiar fruit character make peach a reliable choice for both seasonal launches and year-round product lines, appealing to consumers seeking bright yet approachable flavors.

Mango Brings Bold Tropical Energy

Mango remains a standout favorite, driven by its juicy sweetness and aromatic intensity. Widely used in beverages, gummies, and functional products, mango delivers a vibrant flavor experience that feels indulgent while still aligning with fruit-forward and globally inspired trends.

Coconut Captures Creamy Island Appeal

Coconut reinforces ongoing demand for tropical-inspired flavors that evoke indulgence and escapism. Its creamy, lightly sweet profile performs well in desserts, beverages, and dairy alternatives, offering a rich sensory experience that pairs seamlessly with both fruit and chocolate-based formulations.

Raspberry Strikes the Perfect Sweet-Tart Balance

Raspberry continues to perform as a customer favorite thanks to its bold flavor and balanced blend of sweetness and acidity. Its vibrant profile works especially well in beverages, confections, and functional products, where a bright berry note enhances perceived freshness and flavor intensity. Raspberry’s versatility and strong consumer recognition keep it consistently in demand across multiple categories.

Caramel Satisfies the Craving for Indulgence

Caramel highlights sustained demand for rich, indulgent flavors that add warmth and depth to formulations. Popular across desserts, beverages, and confections, caramel delivers comfort and familiarity, making it a consistent performer in both classic and premium product lines.

Cherry Stays Bold and Instantly Recognizable

Cherry remains a strong seller due to its vivid flavor and unmistakable identity. Its balance of sweetness and tartness allows cherry to shine in beverages, candies, and baked goods, while its nostalgic appeal continues to drive repeat purchases.

Orange Brightens Every Formulation

Orange delivers a zesty citrus profile that performs reliably across a wide range of applications. Its clean, uplifting flavor makes it a staple in beverages, candies, and wellness-oriented products, where freshness and clarity drive consumer appeal.

Watermelon Owns the Refreshment Category

Watermelon continues to attract consumers with its crisp, lightly sweet taste. Especially popular in seasonal beverages and candies, watermelon offers a refreshing flavor experience that aligns perfectly with warm-weather demand.

Lemon Keeps It Clean, Crisp, and Consistent

Lemon remains a trusted citrus favorite thanks to its bright acidity and clean finish. Widely used to balance and elevate sweet formulations, lemon performs consistently in beverages, baked goods, and confections where freshness is essential.

Pineapple Adds a Bright Tropical Punch

Pineapple brings a lively balance of sweetness and acidity that makes it especially appealing in refreshing applications. Its tangy, vibrant profile enhances beverages, candies, and seasonal products, supporting continued consumer interest in clean, tropical flavors.

Peppermint Dominates Seasonal Sales

Peppermint ranks #14 overall and stands out as the top-performing Q4 flavor. Its strong seasonal demand makes it a must-have for holiday-focused products, limited-time offerings, and winter formulations.

Nostalgia Still Sells

Cotton Candy rounds out the list at #15, proving that nostalgic flavors continue to surprise and delight consumers. Its playful profile performs well in confections, beverages, and novelty products that tap into emotional connections and impulse purchases.

What This Means for Your Product Line

The data is clear: these are the flavors customers want. Brands that align their product development and inventory decisions with proven bestsellers are better positioned to maximize sales, reduce slow-moving SKUs, and respond confidently to market demand.

If any of these top 15 flavors are missing from your lineup, you may be leaving revenue on the table. Stocking customer favorites ensures your offerings stay relevant, competitive, and aligned with real purchasing behavior.

Stock the Flavors That Sell

The 2025 Flavors Report provides a roadmap for smarter flavor decisions. Whether you’re expanding an existing line or launching new products, focusing on these best-selling flavors helps ensure your formulations meet proven consumer demand.

These are the flavors your customers want.