Flavor Pairings Take Hold in 2007, Report Says

HUNT VALLEY, Md. — Tangerine and thyme, crystallized ginger and salted pistachio, and wasabi and maple are among the big flavor trends for 2007, according to McCormick & Co.'s 2007 Flavor Forecast.

The flavors will influence foods in restaurants and at home, according to McCormick.

The Top 10 flavor pairings of 2007 are:

“In creating this report, we examined two overarching trends influencing flavor,” said Laurie Harrsen, McCormick's director of consumer communications. “The first is the ever-expanding breadth of choices, specifically within individual ingredients. Even staples like salt are now available in a diverse palette of flavor, color and texture.”

Also, global cuisines, particularly those of North Africa, Asia and the Middle East, continue to drive exploration of new foods and flavors, Harrsen said.

McCormick's flavor experts, along with chefs, television personalities, and cookbook authors, created the forecast.

McCormick's website, www.mccormick.com, offers several recipes that include the flavor pairings. They include Beef & Noodles in Smoked Tea- Infused Broth, Cumin-Rubbed Pork, Tenderloin with Apricot, Braised Chicken with Mustard and Fennel & Tomatoes.