What’s inside? Ingredient Trends 2026.

How does 2026 taste? Here are our Top 5 ingredients we see trending in 2026.

A taste of forest

This year we see the rise of botanical woodland notes bringing woody, fresh and unique flavor profiles. Following the growing movement of nature-inspired and botanical-infused artisan beverages as well as the mindfulness trend, consumers seek ingredients that evoke a sense of calm and grounding to connect with nature.¹

Three botanicals are currently stepping into the spotlight straight from the forest: pine, fir, and spruce as they bring depth and originality to modern formulations. In tea applications these unique wooden flavors combine great with oranges, ginger or ribwort.

Social media further amplifies this trend showcasing a rise of forest-inspired beverages such as wood lemonade made by fermenting spruce, pine or fir needles – bringing the essence of the forest into everyday refreshment.²

Ginger Goodness

Ginger was named medicinal plant of of this year – a recognition that reflects its long-standing role in both traditional remedies and modern wellness concepts. Its signature pungent taste comes from its compounds such as gingerols that are also associated with anti-inflammatory and digestive-supporting properties.

Beyond functionality, ginger is valued for its pleasant spiciness and subtle fruity aroma. Its versatility makes it a favorite across categories: from teas and lemonades to spicy mocktails and culinary applications in both sweet and savory products.

One of social media’s latest picks is the viral ginger milk pudding, a beloved Cantonese dessert. Freshly grated ginger juice is combines with warm milk and left to rest – within 10 minutes, a delicate pudding forms.²

Asian-rooted

Staying in the Asian world of tastes – we see more and more Asian flavors across global shelves. Especially, Millennials are driving this shift, with 65% expressing openness to exploring new global flavor profiles.⁴ Social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube further accelerate the spread of global and regional food trends turning them into must-haves almost overnight. From Bubble Tea and Matcha Latte to Banana Milk Coffee, Asia has already shaped some of the most influential beverage trends of recent years.

That’s why we believe there is even more coming – our top picks we see trending this year:

Yuzu: A vibrant citrus fruit delivering a fresh lemony note making it ideal for lemonades, spritzers and sophisticated tea blends.

Jujube: Also known as the Chinese date, it offers a sweet, tart, and honey-like flavor. While traditionally consumed in teas, it pairs perfectly with milk-based drinks.

Taro: This purple root tastes mildly sweet, creamy and slightly nutty. This ingredient is already hitting the menus of cafés, inspiring dessert-style drinks and indulgent tea creations.

Matcha & Hojicha

Some trends never get old – they evolve. This year, two beloved ingredients continue to stay in the spotlight. It’s for sure the classic Matcha & the roasted Hojicha. Both are securing their place in the global beverage landscape as established drivers of innovation.⁵

We see a strong momentum across RTD beverages, functional concepts and indulgent, comforting applications. Social media continues to fuel creativity showcasing layered drinks and cross-category fusions that blend Matcha & Hojicha with functional ingredients like mushrooms.

Looking ahead we expect further premiumization, creative pairings with local European flavors and continued expansion into sparkling and cold brew concepts.

Everything Bone-Broth

Bone broth is having a moment this year evolving into a broader wellness movement. Social media is full of creators and influencers sharing their favorite recipes and the health benefits of slow cooking bones of beef or chicken into a healthy broth. It is especially enjoyed for supporting gut and joint health as well as bringing an extra beauty glow from within due to the collagen content.²

The bone broth market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.6% from 2025-2034. Especially in the US, bone broth is establishing itself as nutrient-rich wellness beverage with convenient powdered formats gaining traction for on-the-go consumption.⁶

While the classic savory flavor is not for everyone’s taste, we see more and more creative combos to make bone broth more enjoyable. One standout favorite widely supported by wellness creators: bone broth hot chocolate.

That’s where we see a growing opportunity for beverage brands to step into this trend by enriching bone broth with botanicals to bring in indulgence. We are excited to see how this trend continues to evolve – the next big thing might be bone broth matcha?

That are some exciting trends for this year and we’d love to bring them to the shelves together. Contact us at sales@martin-bauer.com. 2026 – we are ready!

¹ https://www.slurrp.com/article/the-2026-flavour-forecast-whats-in-store-for-your-plate-amp-palate-1767160919118

² TikTok

³ https://www.mdr.de/wissen/medizin-gesundheit/ingwer-arzneipflanze-des-jahres-102.html

⁴ Innova Market Insights „Local Flavors Going Global“, 2025

⁵ https://www.alveus.eu/de/tee/sorten/gruner

⁶ https://www.intelmarketresearch.com/collagen-infused-bone-broth-market-29306