McCormick Predicts Flavors That Will Define The Holiday Season

HUNT VALLEY, Md. – Family gatherings and holiday celebrations are occasions that revolve around food – and it’s a time when cooks pull out all the stops to express creativity through flavor. In fact, Americans will stock up on more than 540 million ounces of spices, seasonings and extracts this holiday season – that’s enough to fill the Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center more than 900 times.

This fervor for flavor will be taken to new heights over the holidays with five pairings and fresh new trends, according to the McCormick Flavor Forecast® 2010: Holiday Edition. Expect to see brunch become the “in” festive get-together and cookies get inspiration from favorite cocktails. Even the ubiquitous bird becomes an opportunity for cooks to strut their stuff with a flavor-crusted turkey.

“People are looking to make a statement at the holiday table this year and spice things up a bit – especially now that we are entertaining at home more than ever,” said Kevan Vetter, Executive Chef at McCormick. “Flavor combinations like roasted cinnamon and bacon or bay leaf and pear will help take holiday dishes to the next level in everything from breakfast flatbread to pear upside-down cake.”

With the holiday season soon approaching, McCormick has identified five festive and flavorful pairings that reflect the country’s passion for flavor.

McCormick Flavor Forecast® 2010: Holiday Edition Flavor Pairings:

•Pumpkin Pie Spice & Coconut
The sweet, refreshing taste of coconut and the warming blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice add a touch of the exotic to holiday favorites and grown-up, contemporary sweets.

•Sage & Citrus
Long revered as turkey’s most famous flavor companion, fragrant sage is brightened by the zing of tart citrus. This year, expect the pair to show up in everything from appetizers to desserts.

•Almond & Caramel
The toasty notes of caramel enrobe the bittersweet and nutty flavor of almonds. A holiday match made in heaven, the duo inspires updated ideas for brunches, baked goods and even beverages.

•Roasted Cinnamon & Bacon
Roasting robust cinnamon brings out its rounder, richer flavors – an unexpected partner for bacon’s distinctive smokiness.

•Bay Leaf & Pear Aromatic bay leaves co-star beautifully with the sweetness and subtle floral notes of this popular winter fruit. The delicate yet classy duo invigorates new adaptations of savory and sweet heirloom recipes.

For recipes, tips and more information on the Holiday Flavor Forecast, visit www.flavorforecast.com. Join the flavor conversation at www.facebook.com/mccormickspice.

About McCormick and the Flavor Forecast

With an extensive network of researchers, trend experts, chefs, home economists, food technologists, and sensory analysts, McCormick & Company, Inc. keeps its finger on the pulse of flavor. McCormick was founded in 1889 in Baltimore, Maryland. Today it is a global leader in the sale of spices, herbs and seasonings. McCormick sources high quality ingredients from far-reaching destinations to bring a world of flavors to consumers. For the last decade, McCormick has identified emerging flavors through an annual forecast. The success of the Flavor Forecast has led to special editions for both the grilling and holiday seasons.

Source: McCormick