# Sakura French Fries McDonald's Cherry Blossom-Seasoned French Fries Mimic the Taste of Spring By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2015-04-23 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seasoned-french-fries References: [brandeating](http://www.brandeating.com/2015/04/mcdonalds-japan-offering-new-cherry-blossom-seasoned-fries.html) & [mcdonalds.co.jp](http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/) In celebration of the arrival of spring, [McDonald's Japan](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ichigo-daifuku-pie) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hagendazs-dark-cherry-truffle-collection) ice cream to burgers and beer. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.4/10 - Popularity: 48% | Activity: 76% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: Asia ## 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 - **Sakura-inspired Cuisine:** Restaurants and food companies can create new menu items and product lines inspired by the cherry blossom flavor trend. - **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. - **Culinary Tourism:** Cherry blossom-inspired cuisine can attract tourists to travel to Japan and other areas where this flavor trend is popular. ### Where This Applies - **Fast Food Restaurants:** Fast food chains, like McDonald's, can experiment with limited-time menu offerings to capitalize on seasonal flavor trends. - **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. - **Tourism:** Tourism companies can create specialty tours and travel packages centered around unique cultural experiences, like trying cherry blossom-inspired cuisine in Japan. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Ramen-Seasoning Fry Toppers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ramen-mcshaker-fries.md) - [Fried Dessert-Flavored Fries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/churro-mcshaker-fries.md) - [Celebratory Cherry Blossom Pizzas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sakura-pizza.md) - [Floral Pinkish Springtime Donuts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mister-donut-sakura-mochitto.md) - [Macaron-Topped Blended Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-japan-frappe.md) - [Cherry Blossom Retailer Treats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lotteria-sakura-sweets-fair.md) - [Springtime QSR Matcha Pies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/matcha-kuromitsu-warabi-mochi-pie.md) - [Spring QSR Mochi Pies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ichigo-daifuku-pie.md) - [Cherry Blossom Chocolates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sakura-lindor.md)