In celebration of the arrival of spring, McDonald's Japan is now selling seasoned french fries that taste like cherry blossoms. What gives the seasoning its flavor is a blend of dried nori seaweed, actual sakura blossoms and salt, which sounds like it would be a pleasant combination of salty and sweet flavors. This seasoning comes in a small packet that can be purchased for the equivalent of about $0.25, making it easy to season fries with just the right amount of flavor.
Since blooming cherry blossoms have become a symbol of the spring in Japan, this flavor has become an extremely popular one in Asia for all sorts of classic summer treats from Häagen-Dazs ice cream to burgers and beer.
Sakura French Fries
McDonald's Cherry Blossom-Seasoned French Fries Mimic the Taste of Spring
Trend Themes
1. Sakura-inspired Cuisine - Restaurants and food companies can create new menu items and product lines inspired by the cherry blossom flavor trend.
2. Seasonal Flavor Offerings - Food and beverage businesses can increase sales by offering limited-time, seasonal flavors, like cherry blossom, to attract customers seeking unique and trendy experiences.
3. Culinary Tourism - Cherry blossom-inspired cuisine can attract tourists to travel to Japan and other areas where this flavor trend is popular.
Industry Implications
1. Fast Food Restaurants - Fast food chains, like McDonald's, can experiment with limited-time menu offerings to capitalize on seasonal flavor trends.
2. Food and Beverage Production - Food and beverage companies can develop new products and flavor lines to cater to the popularity of cherry blossom flavor and other seasonal trends.
3. Tourism - Tourism companies can create specialty tours and travel packages centered around unique cultural experiences, like trying cherry blossom-inspired cuisine in Japan.