Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 462,935 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,243 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 320,972 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,243 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 320,972 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,215 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 462,935 cutting edge ideas.

Charcoal-Infused Burger Buns

McDonald’s New Spicy Korean Burger Boasts a Pair of Charcoal Buns

— August 7, 2017 — Lifestyle
Activated charcoal has been used for everything from ice cream to smoothies, and now the ingredient has found its way onto fast food menus in the form of charcoal buns. With a unique flavor and a visually striking appearance, the new buns are already a major hit amongst young millennial foodies.

The new charcoal buns are available from McDonald’s Malaysia in the form of the new Spicy Korean Burger. Between the jet black buns sits a kimchi-seasoned beef patty topped with crunchy vegetables and a fiery Korean sauce. The new dish is part of McDonald’s ongoing 'Discover the World' promotion, which seeks to bring iconic global flavors to its menu in Malaysia.

Already sold out in many restaurants due to overwhelming demand, the new Spicy Korean Burger demonstrates the ongoing popularity of charcoal-infused foods.
Trend Themes
1. Charcoal-infused Foods - The rising popularity of charcoal-infused foods presents opportunities for food companies to innovate in the fast-food industry by incorporating unique flavors and visually striking appearances.
2. Global Flavor Promotions - The success of McDonald's 'Discover the World' promotion in Malaysia highlights the potential for fast-food companies to tap into the demand for global flavors and offer limited-time promotions.
3. Alternative Ingredients - The use of activated charcoal as a food ingredient demonstrates the potential for incorporating alternative, health-focused ingredients in fast food to appeal to the changing tastes and preferences of consumers.
Industry Implications
1. Fast Food - Fast food chains can innovate by introducing unique, limited-time promotions that highlight global flavors and alternative ingredients to cater to changing consumer preferences.
2. Food Manufacturing - Food manufacturers can capitalize on the rising popularity of charcoal-infused foods by incorporating the ingredient into a range of products, from buns to ice cream.
3. Health and Wellness - The use of activated charcoal as a food ingredient highlights opportunities for health and wellness companies to introduce alternative, health-focused ingredients to the fast-food industry.
2.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness