2024 McCormick Flavor of the Year is...

[soccerdad72]

Tamarind

I didn't know this was a thing. Now I have to Google and find out if they've always had a "flavor of the year".

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/mccormick-predicts-flavor-dominate-menus-120202608.html

 

[_19disnA]

Too funny, never bought that spice and have NO idea what it even tastes like or where you would use it. Sounds like McCormick wanted to get some free advertising.....................LOL. I would imagine some spices are regional and more popular in some countries based on their specific local cuisine.

 

[kanerf]

2024? Future Spice?

 

[soccerdad72]

2024? Future Spice?

Apparently, it's their forecast for the spice that will be the most popular of the year?

Or, it's just a marketing campaign for their new spice blend for the upcoming year.

 

[JaxDad]

Tamarind is good stuff. I used tamarind chutney often when I spent time in Trinidad. It’s also a subtle flavor in Worcestershire sauce.

 

[Moliphino]

I didn't realize it was a spice. I've used the juice to make margaritas.

 

[Marrila]

It's not a spice. Tamarind is McCormick's flavor of the year for 2024.

 

[BrianL]

I love Tamarind. It even makes a great soda.

 

[soccerdad72]

It's not a spice. Tamarind is McCormick's flavor of the year for 2024.

My bad - I'll edit my thread to indicate that.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Ha, I just bought (and used) Tamarind paste in one of my Christmas recipes. I had no idea I was so trendy.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Never heard of it. Apparently I am not a trendy cook.

 

[NotUrsula]

If that's the case, every person in the north of England and much of Ireland is now trendy.

Tamarind juice is one of the main ingredients in the ubiquitous British "brown sauce" (ex. HP Sauce, Daddie's Favourite Sauce, etc.). I've consumed it nearly every day at breakfast since before I could talk.

FYI, tamarind is a fruit grown in Asia and Africa. Depending on at what point in the fruit's maturity you harvest it, it can be really sour and tangy, or quite sweet if allowed to stay on the plant longer. It tends to be most commonly used in cuisines of former British Empire countries, because the British East India Company spread it throughout the empire in the 19th century.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

I wonder what previous flavours of the year were. I've never heard of McCormick doing this.

 

[soccerdad72]

I wonder what previous flavours of the year were. I've never heard of McCormick doing this.

2023: https://www.mccormickforchefs.com/en-us/flavor-of-the-year-2023

Apparently, while they have been putting out a "Flavor Forecast" for years (24, I guess), last year was the first time they named a flavor of the (upcoming) year.

 

[Minnesota!]

Loooooove tamarind! Solid choice..

 

[_19disnA]

Well whatever it is, McCormick does sell it.........................Makes sense since they are an herb/spice company.

 

[maxaroni]

While in Barbados, we had tamarind flavored sorbet to cleanse the palate, it was delish!

 

[mikehn]

One of my homemade concoctions from last year

 

[princesscinderella]

I love Tamarind, we buy the fruit balls rolled in sugar at Publix and its one of my favorite of the dips to go with the Naan bread at Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani. It also what gives most bbq sauces its tangy flavor.