It’s that time of year — the time when foodies and food industry leaders try to predict the future and share their take on the upcoming year’s trends. Looking back at past predictions, there have been some significant miscalculations.
Let’s face it: Chocolate charcuterie boards and insect proteins didn’t gain the traction that some pundits thought they would in 2024.
While exotic ingredients and sensational flavor profiles in food and drink may make for click-worthy headlines, they’re often impractical for the average consumer, who simply wants a satisfying meal or snack at a price point they can afford. Furthermore, food and flavor trends often lack value to the average food and beverage manufacturer because of their inability to scale for the masses.
We’ve gathered the data, researched what other influencers in the food and beverage industry are saying, and added our own conclusions to give you our take.
Top 2025 Trends in the Food and Beverage Industry:
- Global Flavor Combinations
- Specialty RTD Beverages
- Fermentation
- Ingredient Quality
- Upcycled & Sustainable Ingredients
- Protein-Packed Formulations
- Crunchy Textures
- Mood Foods
- A Return to Real Food
- Mini Is Big
1. Global Flavor Combinations
The heat is on. While spicy, tongue-tingling flavors have made the list a few years in a row now, those flavors will gain a greater degree of complexity, according to the Nestlé trend report.
Expect to spice things up in 2025 with globally inspired seasonings, sauces and condiments. But spice at the expense of flavor will begin to fall to the wayside. Foods that feature the fifth flavor sensation of umami will be in vogue, and South Asian and Mexican flavor profiles will be in consumers’ pantries and on their plates.
2. Specialty RTD Beverages
Who ever imagined water being “on trend”? Consumers, however, want more from their hydration than what’s on tap. Specialty waters that include electrolytes and antioxidants will continue to enter the market, and clear, protein-infused beverages will see growth in 2025. Flavored coffees and teas with functional ingredients will also gain traction with a boost of energy, clarity and focus. Sugar and artificial flavors, however, continue to fall out of favor while specialty packaging like pouches and unique shapes are on the rise.
RELATED: What Are Functional Ingredients? Food Scientists Weigh In
3. Fermentation
Each year, IFT First gives a precursory look into emerging trends. One that stood out to our team this year was fermented products. Some food manufacturers are fermenting both dairy by-products and plant-based crops to produce microorganisms like beneficial yeast, mold, algae, spores and bacteria. Gut health is a driving factor for this trend, with pro- and prebiotics continuing to appeal to consumers.
4. Higher Quality Ingredients
Not only do consumers want to know what ingredients are in a product, they want to know that the ingredients are of high quality. Quality can be defined in multiple ways, from ensuring an ingredient is natural and nutritious to determining where it is produced. Innova Market Insights says that 58% of consumers prioritize ingredient quality when making food and beverage purchases, according to their Top Ten Trends for 2025 report.
Innova notes that quality is the “most important food and beverage purchase driver” among consumers. While some ingredients seem natural on the surface, it’s important to verify any company’s claims. For example, whey ingredients produced by Grande Custom Ingredients Group do not undergo any chemical treatments or modifications, ensuring they can be labeled as natural.
5. Upcycled and Sustainable Ingredients
Consumer awareness of sustainable and upcycled foods has increased, according to Innova’s trends forecasts. A consumer survey from Prepared Foods indicates that shoppers are interested in efforts made by manufacturers to support sustainable farming practices and protect nature.
Upcycled food is gaining popularity with consumers even though the practice has been around for generations. Powdered whey ingredients are upcycled and sustainable, and have been since they were first manufactured in the early 1990s. At one time, whey was discarded as part of the cheesemaking process, but is now upcycled into functional and nutritious ingredients for soups, sauces, dressings, meal replacement bars, protein supplements, beverages and more.
6. Protein-Packed Formulations
Nearly every major retailer predicts that protein-packed foods will rise in popularity in 2025, including Kroger and Whole Foods Market. Prepared Foods highlights that companies will need to go beyond simply claiming high protein levels, however. The quality of that protein will be just as important, including features like the amino acid mix, digestibility, bioavailability and absorption.
Of note, whey Protein Isolate (WPI) and other protein-packed whey ingredients are considered the gold standard for quality protein sources. Whey proteins are a complete protein source containing all nine essential amino acids and rank highest for bioavailability and digestibility when compared with alternative proteins.
RELATED: Boost Protein in Formulations With Dried Greek Yogurt
7. Crunchy Textures
The annually anticipated Whole Foods Market Food and Beverage Trend Report is out, and crunchy textures are in. From crispy grains and granola to fermented nuts and mushroom chips — consumers are looking for ways to add light, crispy textures to meal times and snacks. Some brands are introducing crunchier versions of beloved favorites while others are creating texture with toppings like pistachio-topped pastries or seasonings on salads.
Formulators can appeal to two trends in one with whey protein crisps, adding protein and a light crunch. Grande WPCrisp®, with its neutral flavor profile, complements the primary ingredients of a snack formulation with up to 70% protein content.
8. Mood Foods
Mental health awareness is on the rise, and the role that our diets play in sustaining a positive outlook on life is regarded as a key driving factor in mental well-being.
According to Prepared Foods, a growing number of food manufacturers are introducing products that provide mental health benefits, including functional ingredients that offer nutritional value in the form of protein, vitamins and minerals. Once again, amino acids like L-tyrosine can play a role in wellness. When synthesized, this amino acid produces dopamine. This essential nutrient is found in fish, poultry, nuts and dairy products like whey protein.
9. A Return to Real Food
Another emerging trend we noticed at IFT First was a real food revival. Whether enjoying whole foods fresh from the garden or prepared dishes from the freezer aisle, consumers want the real thing.
While plant-based foods continue to grow in popularity, consumers still want natural food that tastes great. They will look beyond label claims and scrutinize ingredients, realizing that many plant-based products require significant processing and masking agents, and have a greater impact on the environment than previously thought. Real dairy, like clean-label whey ingredients, are recognized (and trusted) by consumers and can have less impact on the environment than many plant-based alternatives.
10. Mini Is Big
Snack and beverage brands are responding to consumer cravings for small pick-me-ups. In particular, little treats and small purchases appeal to Gen Z. Fun-size, on-the-go foods like small sweet baked goods and granola bites will be strategically placed next to check-out aisles for impulse buys. Nestle also notes that little treats at home in the form of RTD coffee drinks are on the rise.
Takeaways for Food and Beverage Innovations
Ensuring the availability of wholesome and flavorful ingredients that align with consumer demand is a top priority. As a whey ingredient manufacturer, Grande Custom Ingredients Group can ensure its products are ethically sourced and manufactured right here in the United States under a strict chain of custody.
Consider how the following whey ingredients can improve nutrition, flavor and market share:
- Grande Bravo® — partially replaces cream and cream cheese in soups, sauces, fillings, dips, dressings and more
- Grande Gusto® — partially replaces fresh, processed or powdered cheese in cheese sauces and soups and reduces sodium
- Grande DuratoTM — delivers moist, chewy textures in a variety of sweet baked goods and helps maintain that freshness throughout their shelf life
- Grande Ultra® — whey protein isolate (WPI) for use in high-protein sports, nutritional and meal replacement beverages to improve protein levels
- WPCrisp® — a light, crunchy protein crisp for use in protein bars and snack applications to improve protein levels
- Grande PrimoTM — all-natural Greek or regular yogurt powder that adds a signature tang and nutritional benefits to your creamy coatings, fillings and smoothies
- Grande FestoTM — incorporated into meat spice blends and processed and ground meat products to enhance juiciness and increase yields up to 5% without being classified as a filler or binders
Request a sample of any of these whey protein products and discuss how to incorporate them into your application and food system. Contact us today.
