Fall is just around the corner. With this season comes a delightful array of flavors that captivate our senses and bring warmth to our tables. This year, the fall flavor trends will significantly impact restaurants and stores. From comforting classics with a twist to bold global influences, these flavors will tantalize taste buds and offer new culinary adventures. Join us as we explore the most exciting fall flavor trends of 2024 that you’ll be savoring soon.

Starbucks

Starbucks has a loyal following for its famous pumpkin spiced latte. However, the coffee giant is introducing several new and returning favorites outside the coveted PSL. Highlights include:

• Iced Apple Crisp Cream Chai: A non-dairy option that blends chai spices with apple and cream flavors.
• Oatmilk Iced Apple Crisp Shaken Espresso: This drink combines oat milk with the crisp flavor of apples and a robust espresso.
• Iced Pecan Crunch Latte and Salted Pecan Cream Cold Foam: Offering a nutty twist to traditional lattes and cold brews.

For food, look out for the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin, Baked Apple Croissant, Raccoon Cake Pop, and the new Mummy Cookie.​

General Restaurant Trends

Beyond specific chains, several trends are emerging in the broader restaurant scene:Comfort Foods with a Twist: Comfort foods are making a comeback, often with new and innovative twists. Traditional dishes are being reimagined with novel ingredients, adding a sense of nostalgia and familiarity while also introducing exciting new flavors​. Examples include chicken soup, upscale ramen, and Malaysian laksa.Spicy Bakes: Expect traditional sweet baked goods to get a spicy makeover. Flavors like chipotle, cayenne, and other hot spices will be incorporated into cakes, cookies, and pies, adding a gourmet touch to familiar favorites​.Can’t Forget Pumpkin: Pumpkin flavor remains a prominent feature of the autumn culinary scene, with its versatility in both sweet and savory dishes helping it maintain its popularity. During a webinar, Renee Lee Wege, a trendologist at Datassential, highlighted pumpkin's importance, noting innovative uses like Pumpkin Lobster Ravioli at Kona Grill and the Triple Layer Pumpkin Cream Pie from Shari's.Pumpkin flavors appeared in 144 new limited-time offers at major restaurant chains last fall. Other popular fall flavors include caramel apple, exemplified by McAlister’s Deli's Witch’s Brew beverage, sweet flavors like pecan pie and cinnamon roll, and savory options like clove and bratwurst. Even 7-Eleven is on board the pumpkin train with its new pumpkin spice Slurpee, available at five select locations in Texas, Ohio, California and New York.Sources:specialtyfood.comrestaurantbusinessonline.comfoodnavigator-usa.comcozymeal.comInspiremore.comopenai.com