# Vibrant Pepper Seasonings Aji Amarillo Seasoning Celebrates McCormick's 2025 Flavor of the Year By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2025-01-29 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aji-amarillo-seasoning References: [news.mccormick](https://news.mccormick.com/2025-01-28-McCormick-R-Unveils-2025-Flavor-of-the-Year-and-Flavor-Forecast-25th-Edition#assets_all)  [McCormick](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mccormick-aji-amarillo-hot-sauce) named Aji [Amarillo](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/towering-double-ipa) as the 2025 Flavor of the Year and to celebrate, the flavor authority launched [Aji Amarillo Seasoning](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mccormick-for-chefs). 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. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 20% | Activity: 24% | Freshness: 34% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### 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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Peruvian Chile Hot Sauces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mccormick-aji-amarillo-hot-sauce.md) - [Tangy Tamarind Seasonings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tamarind-pasilla-chile-seasoning.md) - [Tamarind-Infused Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tamarindinfused-dishes.md) - [Spicy One-Step Recipe Seasonings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mccormick-seasonings.md) - [Piquant Cuisine Seasoning Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/target-flavors-mahacha.md) - [Peruvian Pepper Hot Sauces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tari.md) - [Small-Batch Chili-Lime Seasonings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chilito-chile-lime-seasoning.md) - [Zesty Tamarind Chocolates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tamarind-chocolate.md) - [Playful Multipurpose Seasonings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flavor-maker-seasonings.md)