McCormick named Aji Amarillo as the 2025 Flavor of the Year and to celebrate, the flavor authority launched Aji Amarillo Seasoning.
Aji Amarillo, meaning "yellow chile pepper" in English, is a pepper grown in Peru, native to South America, and a staple of Peruvian cuisine. With fruity, tropical notes and moderate heat, Aji Amarillo is popping up in everything from appetizers and entrees to drinks—"with an anticipated 59% menu growth over the next four years" according to 2024 Datassential Menu Trends.
In 2025, McCormick is hosting its first-ever Flavor Night Market in Miami, Florida. In partnership with Smorgasburg, McCormick will offer an immersive experience of the 2025 Flavor of the Year in an open-air food market. At the free-to-attend event, guests can look forward to trying Aji Amarillo-inspired food and beverages from 30 food vendors.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Rising Popularity of Exotic Peppers
- The growing interest in Aji Amarillo reflects a broader trend towards unique and exotic pepper varieties in culinary applications.
- Culinary Fusion and Experimentation
- The integration of traditional Peruvian flavors with contemporary cuisine highlights the trend of culinary fusion and bold experimentation.
- Immersive Flavor Experiences
- McCormick's Flavor Night Market exemplifies the trend of creating immersive and interactive events to engage consumers with new flavors.
Where This Applies
- Food and Beverage
- The introduction of Aji Amarillo seasoning presents opportunities for the food and beverage industry to innovate with uniquely flavored offerings.
- Event Marketing
- Immersive food events like McCormick's Flavor Night Market open new avenues for the event marketing industry to create memorable brand experiences.
- Spice and Seasoning Production
- With the rising demand for unique and exotic spices, the spice and seasoning production industry can explore developing new and diverse product lines.
