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Flavor of the Week

The latest 'Flavor of the Week' information and uses of new flavors that are trending in restaurants with data from Datassential

The top 10 Flavor of the Week trends in 2020

From Cacio e Pepe to Pumpkin Spice to Croque Madame, the culinary world through the eyes of market research firm Datassential held some unique food trends

Holly Petre, Assistant Digital Editor

December 15, 2020

10 Slides
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In this year’s recap of the top 10 most popular Flavor of the Week articles, a compilation of consumer and data trends from market research firm Datassential, Cacio e Pepe — the long, skinny pasta tossed with a little reserved cooking water, black pepper and a grana-style cheese ­— ranked as the year’s top flavor. It’s a simple, comforting dish with growing appeal on American menus, according to Datassential.

Among other trends in this year’s countdown:

  • Japan’s soft and fluffy milk bread;

  • Elote, a Mexican street food mainstay; and

  • Croque madame, France’s indulgent grilled cheese.

All of those ingredients originated in other countries and are slowly making their way over to the U.S. as shown by Datassential’s reports on menu trends in the data in each slideshow.

In other trends, seasonings were big this year among Flavor of the Week readers.

Some of those top ingredients:

  • Fall’s favorite flavor, Pumpkin Spice, adds warm seasoning to menus;

  • Tzatziki, a refreshing Greek condiment;

  • Smoky meets tangy in chipotle aïoli; and

  • Shiso, mint’s East Asian cousin.

See what this year’s top Flavor of the Week trends from Datassential were in this gallery.

About the Author

Holly Petre

Assistant Digital Editor

Holly Petre is a digital editor for Nation’s Restaurant News as well as the host of NRN’s podcast, Extra Serving, and producer for Informa Restaurant and Food Group’s other three podcasts, One On One by Food Management, Off the Shelf with SN and In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn. Holly holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Sculpture, fibers and Material Studies and Ceramics from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. A native New Yorker, Holly enjoys her place on staff as the resident pop-culture expert and millennial with a sassy attitude and great sense of style.

Holly Petre’s work on Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality often covers marketing and trends, either aimed-at or examined-through the millennial mindset. Holly is responsible for introducing TikTok and Twitch to NRN and RH readers as well as explaining terms like “Karen” to staff and readers alike. She also spends her time on staff trying not to make every headline a pun.

Holly Petre hasn’t spoken at any events or on panels, but she is readily available with a killer shoe wardrobe and several witty quips.

 

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