Mexican food consumption is increasing faster than any other food service category and is trending heavily in home preparation. While most consumers are familiar with the bright, tangy flavor of cilantro or the fiery heat of a habanero, their taste buds will be delighted by a new Latin American experience.
1. Have you considered adding cardamom and jalapeno to creamy beverages or anise and cajeta (caramel sauce) to confections? Infusing sweet products with Latin flavors will be a novel trend, according to a popular spice manufacturer.
2. Consider the use of cinnamon with savory items to create a subtle change to tomato based sauces or to meat-and-potato empanada fillings. And expect to see cinnamon and vanilla added as a coffee flavor for a new Mexican twist.
3. Exotic toppings are becoming more prevalent in food service, as well. Examples include adding guacamole to burgers and using queso blanco as a dipping sauce for appetizers.
4. Chipotle flavor is well known in the Americas, but now it can be seen in popcorn mixed with caramel for a smokey/spicey/sweet treat.
5. Spicy Mexican Chorizo, commonplace in most local Mexican restaurants, is becoming mainstream. Look for it on the breakfast menu at your favorite restaurant.
6. Savory, crusty bolillo rolls can be used to create an exciting new twist on the typical sandwich.
7. Chili-lime flavors, similar to the popular Cholula hot sauce, will become prevalent and have already been used on tortilla chips and as an almond seasoning. The evolution of this dynamic flavor pairing? Look for it in fish marinades, French fry dipping sauces, and as an addition to lemonade for a tangy/sweet punch!
Check out these products to add Latin American flavors to your recipes:
- Lime Juice Concentrate from Kerr Concentrates
- Cooked Chorizo Sausage Crumbles from Hormel Foods
- Fresh Frozen Cilantro from SupHerb Farms
- Chili Peppers from Kalsec
- Ground Cardamom Seed from Elite Spice
- Jalapeno Peppers from Border Foods
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