Global Cuisine Cravings: Latin American

With many global cuisines experiencing massive increases in demand, it can be difficult to determine which ones to use as inspiration for new products. Millennial and Gen Z consumers are seeking out more exotic options, while the oldest and youngest consumers tend to stick with familiar favorites, like Chinese, Mexican, and Italian cuisines. Creating internationally inspired products that have mass appeal requires striking a balance between the familiar and the not-so-familiar.

Enter Latin cuisine. Unlike some more exotic options, like African cuisine, which is trending with Gen Z, Latin cuisine appeals to a wider range of consumers. Although less adventurous consumers might not be ready for foods and flavors that push them super far outside of their comfort zones, they’re still becoming bored with existing options and looking to keep up with the latest trends. Latin cuisine is familiar enough to attract these consumers, but it’s also trendy and exciting enough to appeal to Millennials and Gen Zers. Keep reading for our takes on finding inspiration in Latin cuisine.

Street Food Specialties

International street foods have been trending over the past few years, thanks, in part, to their portability. Street foods also allow consumers to feel like they are eating like a local, getting a more authentic and exciting experience. Latin cuisine has no shortage of craveable street foods to get inspired by. From yucca fritters and tacos de papas to empanadas and churros, look to popular street foods for inspiration for everything from snacks and sauces to frozen foods and desserts.

Endless Beverage Inspo

Beverage-inspired flavors have been making their way into a wide range of product categories recently, with consumers looking to experience their favorite flavors in new formats and applications. Finding flavors that play into more than one trend is a great way to grab consumers’ attention. So, get in on the global trend and the beverage flavor trend by featuring the flavors of popular Latin American beverages. For a more familiar option, bring the flavors of horchata to snacks and dairy. Or, get more exotic with desserts and baked goods inspired by the flavors of mote con huesillo, a Chilean beverages featuring peaches.

Consumers have been scaling back when it comes to alcohol, but that doesn’t mean they don’t miss the flavors of adult beverages. As a result, flavors that are inspired by alcoholic beverages are on the rise. Embrace this trend by featuring the flavors of popular Latin American cocktails in new products. Think a Brazilian style caipirinha seasoning for popcorn or a Peruvian pisco sour seasoning for yogurt.

Trending Regions

While Latin American cuisine is trending across the board – as is the case with most global cuisines these days – some countries’ cuisines are captivating consumers more than others. Peruvian and Argentinian cuisines, especially, are showing growth, so look to the foods and flavors that make these cuisines stand out for product inspiration.

Over the past year or so, social media has pushed Mexican cuisine into the spotlight, with birria tacos going viral on multiple platforms. Consider looking to more exotic and lesser-known Mexican dishes for products that will appeal to adventurous and not-so-adventurous consumers alike.

Hungry for more? Get our insights in your inbox by subscribing to our e-newsletter.