
Nancy Trent is a writer and speaker, a lifelong health advocate, a globe-trotting trend watcher and the founder and president of Trent & Company, a New York-based public relations and marketing communications firm. Trent & Company has a client roster of text book case studies of products, venues, books, films and experts in healthy lifestyles spanning traditional and alternative disciplines for wellness, beauty, fitness, nutrition and the environment.

The Summer Fancy Food Show 2025 may have had fewer beverages and far too much Dubai chocolate this year, but among the endless aisles of the familiar, we hunted down the brands and trends that are changing what, and how, America eats. You could taste the ambition before even stepping onto the floor. Every aisle was a battleground of bold flavors. This wasn’t just a food show—it was the Met Gala for your mouth. Legacy brands came to flex, startups came to disrupt, and everyone vied for a coveted spot on retailer shelves.
This year, the show didn’t just hint at what’s next—it shouted it in 15 languages, fermented it, freeze-dried it, and wrapped it in compostable mushroom plastic. Trends read like manifestos. We saw plenty of flashy indulgence but what really stood out were the bold, thoughtful innovations where global flavors weren’t just seasoning but statements. Not tokenized, but authentic, purposeful, and forward-thinking.
Fancy Food 2025 proved one thing: Flavor knows no borders. The world map of food is being redrawn—and the most exciting frontiers aren’t the usual suspects.
Whether you're here for plant-based caviar, next-gen olive oil, or health-forward sweets, here are the top 25 trends that caught our eyes, taste buds, and imaginations.
At this year’s show, chocolate wasn’t just about indulgence, it was about intention. From mood-boosting adaptogens to ethically sourced ingredients, these guilt-free treats delivered feel-good benefits without compromising on flavor.
Muze is intentionally formulated to function like a supplement—designed to support mood, energy, focus, or rest through every bite. Founded by Latinx sisters, this women-owned bean-to-bar company blends premium, single-origin Ecuadorian cacao with clinically studied adaptogens, botanicals, and superfoods, creating clean-label chocolate that delivers targeted benefits without refined sugar, seed oils, or hidden additives.
This trend demonstrates a shift toward cleaner, simpler ingredients and healthier formulations in granola products. Consumers are seeking options free from artificial additives and excess sugar, favoring wholesome, nutrient-packed blends that support balanced snacking.
Struesli creates ultra-clean, sugar-free granola with classic crunch and flavor, reformulated for keto and paleo lifestyles. The star ingredient? Tiger nuts—not actually nuts, but small root vegetables rich in prebiotic fiber, iron, and magnesium. Virtually no other granola brand uses them, making Struesli uniquely gut-friendly and naturally sweet without added sugar. This chef-crafted, organic granola redefines the category with nutrient-rich, grain-free blends that feel more like superfood fuel than cereal. Developed by private chef Adrienne Lufkin, each blend, Original, Savory + Seed, and Cacao + Coffee, is USDA-organic, gluten- and grain-free, vegan, and made to support digestive and metabolic health.
Yellow tomatoes aren’t just a vibrant brunch upgrade, they’re lower in acid than red varieties, making them gentler on the stomach and ideal for sensitive digestive systems. Rich in antioxidants and fiber, they support gut health while bringing a naturally sweet, mellow flavor to the table.
Natural Blonde Co elevates brunch with its Blonde Bloody Mary mix, made from golden tomatoes for a lighter taste, beautiful hue, and real digestive benefits. Naturally lower in acid than red tomatoes, golden tomatoes are easier on the stomach and less likely to trigger heartburn or acid reflux. They're also rich in pectin and fiber, which can help support gut regularity and feed beneficial gut bacteria. Made from 91% tomato juice and fresh purée, the mix delivers a subtly sweet flavor with bold spices, honey, peppers, and pickle juice, without artificial ingredients. Gluten-free, low-sodium, low-calorie, and preservative-free, it’s a clean-label mixer designed for modern tastes and digestive wellness.
Sea moss is having a mainstream moment – and this time, it actually tastes good. Long praised as a superfood loaded with 92 of the 102 essential minerals the body needs, sea moss supports beauty, immunity, gut health, thyroid balance, natural energy, and even iron intake for anemia. But its oceanic taste kept it out of daily routines for many. That’s changing with the rise of light gold sea moss from St. Lucia, the most premium variety available.
At the Fancy Food Show, Yemaya Organic showcased this newly palatable sea moss trend with products that redefine the category. The lineup includes raw sea moss to make your own gels, ready-to-eat gels blended with real fruit purees (never from concentrate) and zero synthetic flavors, as well as capsules and formulations with black seed oil, turmeric, ashwagandha, and Manuka honey for enhanced benefits. Available in pills, gels, and gummies, Yemaya’s products are sustainably sourced from St. Lucia, supporting local communities and marine ecosystems while making it easier than ever to integrate sea moss into daily wellness. It offers all the benefits without the off-putting aftertaste and even acts as a natural thickener chefs use to add nutrients to condiments, sauces, and smoothies undetectably. Finally, sea moss goes down as smoothly as its benefits suggest.
The resurgence of traditional Native American herbal teas is here to stay and now they are infused with natural caffeine or energizing ingredients. This combines cultural heritage with modern demand for functional, uplifting beverages that offer both wellness benefits and a gentle boost.
Rise Yaupon reclaims Yaupon, America’s only native caffeinated tea, with a woman-owned brand putting this antioxidant-rich brew back on the radar. Grown by local farmers and rooted in Indigenous tradition, yaupon offers a gentle energy boost without the bitterness of traditional teas. With blends like Chocolate Mint-Up and Strawberry Zen, the brand balances wellness and flavor, while staying mission-driven as a women- and veteran-owned company that gives back with every bag.
This trend involves giving classic cookie recipes a fresh twist through new ingredients, flavors, or formats. The blend of nostalgia with innovation creates familiar treats that surprise and delight modern consumers.
REAL Cookies is transforming the classic sandwich cookie into a “new Oreo” that is soft, nostalgic, and made with real, clean ingredients for guilt-free indulgence. Their mini “Cookie Poppers” come in flavors like Chocolate Chip, Lemon Blueberry, and Cookies & Crème, and are gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, vegan, kosher, and paleo-friendly. Made with almond and coconut flour, real fruit, and pure maple syrup, these cookies are designed to satisfy without compromise. The brand champions feel good indulgence and thoughtful gifting, with options like sampler packs and uplifting gift bags.
Fish charcuterie kits are redefining seafood snacking by offering curated selections. These kits provide an elegant, ready-made way to enjoy sophisticated flavors and elevate entertaining or everyday indulgence.
Season Brand unveiled the first Seacuterie board on the go as well as its upcoming giftable tins featuring premium, ready-to-serve tinned fish, creating elegant boards for entertaining. The #1 sardine brand in the U.S. made a bold splash at the show with crave-worthy samples, standout innovations, and a clear message: the future of food is flavorful, functional, and ready when you are. Their chef-inspired bites showcased Season’s best-selling tinned fish, wild-caught, responsibly sourced, and packed with protein, omega-3s, and bold flavor. It’s clean-label, high-quality seafood designed to elevate everyday meals with ease. In addition the brand debuted its new line of premium EVOO with a trip of cooking oil, finishing oil and first-of-its-kind EVOO pearls.
Accessible, ready-to-use lentil products designed for quick and healthy meal prep are surging. Perfect for on-the-go lifestyles, these options bring the benefits of plant-based protein with minimal effort and maximum convenience.
Lentiful makes protein-rich lentils convenient with ready-to-eat cups as easy as instant noodles. Family-founded and microwavable in under a minute, these high-fiber cups come in craveable flavors like Mexican Green Chile, Thai Coconut Curry, French Mirepoix, and more, all vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and low sodium. Lentiful shines as a modern, nourishing answer to busy-day meals.
Ayurveda entering the mainstream is a big signal of its growing influence in the wellness system of everyday products and routines. From adaptogenic herbs and Dosha-balanced meals to skincare and teas, brands are embracing Ayurvedic principles to meet consumer demand for holistic, time-tested approaches to health and well-being.
AyurSome Wellness offers Ayurvedic teas formulated to bring ancient holistic science to modern daily rituals. This vibrant AAPI women‑owned label was born from founder Divya Kumar's passion to make holistic health accessible. The brand offers USDA‑Organic, caffeine‑free herbal teas in compostable bags, targeting digestion, stress, sleep, immunity, and blood‑sugar balance. Alongside these are refined‑sugar‑free ancient‑grain tea biscuits and a golden turmeric spice blend, all vegan, thoughtfully packaged, and lovingly micro‑batch made in New Jersey.
This gluten-free, nutrient-dense seed known for its earthy flavor and versatility has gotten even more interest. Celebrated for its health benefits and adaptability, buckwheat is stepping into center stage as a smart, satisfying enhancement in everything from noodles to baked goods.
Better with Buckwheat by Maine Crisp Co. features crunchy, gluten-free crisps highlighting buckwheat’s versatility in sweet and savory snacking. The brand blends organic honey, wild blueberries, nuts, seeds, and simple seasonings to create craveable varieties. Produced in a certified gluten‑free facility with no artificial ingredients or preservatives, these crisps are beloved for their satisfying crunch, chef-approved flavor pairings, and clean-label appeal.
There is a growing demand for cozy, flavorful Korean dishes like stews, rice bowls, and savory pancakes in everyday U.S. meals. Bold spices and umami-rich ingredients blend together with familiar formats, making Korean cuisine more accessible and craveable than ever.
Gamsa Foods introduces Juk, Korea’s traditional savory rice porridge, positioned smartly as “savory oatmeal” for U.S. consumers. Their flagship Sesame Garlic Savory Oatmeal combines 12 wholesome ingredients, oats, quinoa, miso, and seaweed, into an umami-rich bowl that’s ready in minutes. Each recipe is taste-tested by the founder's mother, a home cook with over 25 years of experience, ensuring authentic flavor. With a focus on real ingredients and no added preservatives, Gamsa Foods offers a comforting, satisfying start to the day.
This upgrade spotlights the move toward precision-cooked, restaurant-quality shrimp that’s tender, flavorful, and ready in minutes. This trend brings elevated seafood to home kitchens through sous vide technology that locks in taste and texture without the guesswork.
Prime Shrimp offers restaurant-quality sous vide shrimp with bold flavors for fast, protein-packed meals at home. Their cook-from-frozen shrimp is ready in under 10 minutes and sourced from sustainable Ecuadorian farms. They offer premium, tail-off shrimp paired with gourmet sauces and seasonings in mess-free sous-vide pouches. Their antibiotic-free, BAP-certified shrimp come in flavors like Garlic Herb Butter and New Orleans Style BBQ. Recently, they launched shrimp burgers made with 80% shrimp and no added phosphates.
The rise of traditional Peruvian sauces continues as they gain international recognition. These bold, flavorful condiments are finding their way into kitchens and menus worldwide, bringing the heat and depth of Peru’s cuisine to a global audience.
Tari is Peru’s #1 hot sauce, bringing bright, authentic heat and flavor complexity to U.S. kitchens. Rooted in heritage, Tari’s sauces use native Peruvian peppers and traditional batán stone-grinding for creamy, authentic depth. The lineup includes Tari Ají Amarillo, its signature pepper and a 2025 flavor favorite, Tari Rocoto, and new releases Zesty Verde, Tropical Kick, and Smoky Heat, ready to spice up everything from BBQ to tacos and salads.
This category marks a growing appreciation for the country’s rich culinary traditions, blending Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences. With bold flavors, unique ingredients, and vibrant dishes, Malaysian food is capturing attention as the next global cuisine to watch.
Auria's Malaysian Kitchen brings bold sambals and sauces to American kitchens while Samonyu by Ixora Foods innovates with Malaysian seafood products and pantry staples, signaling a Malaysian flavor boom.
Founded by Auria Abraham, a former "Chopped" contestant, the Brooklyn-based brand offers handcrafted sambals, kaya coconut jams, and spice blends like rendang and satay, each made with clean, natural ingredients and traditional recipes. Auria’s products are designed to elevate everyday meals with authentic Malaysian flair.
Samonyu is redefining how we enjoy seafood with its standout innovation: crispy salmon biscuits. These protein- and omega-3-rich snacks offer a fun, flavorful way to get more seafood nutrients into everyday eating, part of a growing trend toward functional, ocean-based foods. A Malaysian brand rooted in heritage and small-batch craftsmanship, Samonyu also offers bold pantry staples and their products celebrate authentic ingredients while inviting playful, modern use, bridging tradition with innovation in every bite.
The latest advancements in plant-based foods do not only improve taste, texture, and nutritional profiles, but they go beyond just being a label, they are building a lifestyle. It’s not just follwoing a trend, it’s leading an entirely new cultural shift.
Smul reimagines plant-based eating as a full-spectrum wellness experience. This brand focuses on making healthy eating effortless and enjoyable and sets themselves apart with their full 360 well-being approach, offering a wide range of non-GMO, clean-ingredient foods including protein powders, bars, granola, oatmeal, gut-support soda, air-popped snacks, and heat-and-eat meals. Smul avoids refined sugars and artificial sweeteners, manages its production process closely, and promotes holistic well-being through nutrition, movement, and mental health initiatives like their podcast. The brand also donates 1% of sales to the Smul Foundation and is highly rated by customers for taste, quality, packaging, and service.
This trend showcases how common shelf-stable proteins are being upgraded with bold flavors, improved nutrition, and premium ingredients. This makes everyday pantry staples more appealing and inspiring for home cooks looking to elevate their meals.
Tonnino Tuna expands beyond jarred tuna to ready-to-eat salmon fillets, making gourmet pantry proteins an everyday staple. Tonnino, long known for setting the standard in gourmet tuna, redefined shelf-stable seafood, taking it from pantry staple to center-of-plate star. The brand’s bold lineup featured premium yellowfin and albacore tuna, wild-caught Alaskan salmon, and ready-to-eat meals with vegetables, all crafted for convenience, flavor, and modern versatility. From smoked olive oil–infused salmon to high-protein tuna dips and kids’ cans, Tonnino offered elevated, clean-label options perfect for grain bowls, pastas, or toast. With responsibly sourced seafood and a commitment to sustainability, Tonnino delivered restaurant-quality taste that fit today’s fast-paced, planet-conscious lifestyle.
Reinventing classic treats involves giving traditional desserts and snacks a modern twist through new ingredients, formats, or flavors. This trend appeals to nostalgia while offering fresh, innovative experiences that surprise and delight today’s consumers.
Sh’mallow isn’t the only spray trend on the rise; across categories, brands are exploring sprayable formats for everything from oils to toppings, signaling a shift toward fun and functional food delivery. This game-changing marshmallow topping in a spray can is a fun, toastable twist on the classic treat. Perfect for hot chocolate, desserts, or indoor s’mores, it holds its shape longer than whipped cream and works hot or cold. Made with sugar and egg whites, it’s dairy- and gluten-free, and comes in original and peppermint flavors, bringing nostalgia and innovation to every bite.
The blending of traditional Indian flavors and ingredients with global cuisines creates exciting, convenient, and flavorful options. This also offers consumers bold, spice-forward snacks and meals that celebrate India’s culinary heritage while appealing to diverse, modern tastes.
Doosra offers a playful take on Indian snack culture with its boondi-based mixes, blending savory spices like amchur with sweet elements such as caramelized white chocolate and Kerala-style banana chips. The brand delivers crunchy, multi-textured snack bowls that nod to traditional chai-time favorites while appealing to modern tastes. With standout varieties like Peanut & White Chocolate and the vegan Dark Chocolate & Walnut mix, Doosra invites snack lovers to enjoy authentic Indian flavors as everyday treats.
Bang offers health-focused Indian fusion dishes balancing tradition and nutrition. They are a health-forward Desi fusion eatery based in Westchester, NY, blending Bengali-inspired flavors with globally sourced superfoods. The menu—from bowls to wraps—is handcrafted, nut-free, GMO-free, and antibiotic-free, often featuring ingredients like guava and pomegranate alongside traditional Indian spices. With a focus on clean eating and bold, unexpected flavors, Bang aims to energize and invigorate every bite.
This is an emerging trend where traditional Turkish breakfast items, like savory breads, cheeses, olives, and spiced spreads, are being embraced for their rich flavors and wholesome ingredients. This movement brings diverse, flavorful, and nutritious options to the American breakfast table, expanding morning routines beyond typical fare.
Solmaz Foods introduces Turkish sausages and an assortment of Halal deli meat with new textures and spice profiles for American charcuterie boards and breakfasts. Founded as a small butcher and grocery on Danforth and Pape in Toronto, Solmaz has grown into a specialist producer of Halal-certified, traditional meats. They offer a wide range of deli counter selections, beef, chicken, turkey, as well as retail-ready sausages, hot dogs, bologna, salami, frozen goods, and signature products like Adana kebab, soujouk (sucuk), pastrami, and doner. What truly sets Solmaz apart is their proprietary full‑traceability software, EGETECH, which meticulously tracks raw meats and other ingredients from receipt to finished product, ensuring transparency in safety and quality.
There is a focus on natural, mineral-rich waters sourced from pristine environments, emphasizing purity and health benefits. This leads to a growing consumer desire for hydration that supports wellness through clean, functional, and often sustainably sourced water options.
Source To Bottle highlights pristine primal waters sourced directly from untouched aquifers, boasting high natural electrolytes and purity. Source To Bottle sources the very best waters that existed before humans and remain completely untouched. These 100% natural waters contain four times the electrolytes of ordinary bottled water. Their portfolio includes Socosani, Tehuacan, Thunderbird, Wossa, Sant'Elena, and Marzia – each offering unique origins, sources, and mineral compositions. All are bottled at the source to deliver superior health benefits, exceptional taste, and authentic hydration.
Everything coconut highlights the widespread use of coconut in a variety of products. Celebrated for its versatility and natural benefits, coconut adds flavor, texture, and nutrition while appealing to health-conscious consumers.
Thai Coconut showcases the versatility of coconut with products spanning shrimp, beverages, and culinary ingredients rooted in Thai tradition. The line features real coconut milk and coconut water, made from hand-picked, non-GMO coconuts, delivering a creamy, fresh flavor that stands apart from heavily processed alternatives. Emphasizing clean ingredients, ethical sourcing, and a zero-waste philosophy, the brand supports Thai farming communities and ensures transparency from grove to glass.
This type of food combines the warmth and satisfaction of traditional comfort dishes with high-protein ingredients to support health and wellness. They offer consumers indulgent flavors without compromising on nutrition, making healthy eating feel cozy and rewarding.
Loopini reinvents pizza with protein-rich, nutrient-dense crusts made from ancient superfoods for satisfying, guilt-free comfort food. The brand harnesses the power of lupini beans, a nutrient-rich legume high in plant protein and fiber, to make crusts that deliver triple the protein of eggs and triple the fiber of oats. Each pizza offers more than 50 grams of protein and 20 grams of fiber, all while staying under 560 calories. Using non-GMO, locally sourced ingredients, Loopini’s pizzas support overall wellness, from muscle repair to digestive health.
The everyday Low FODMAP movement is making digestive-friendly eating more accessible, with products designed to reduce bloating, gas, and discomfort without sacrificing flavor. What was once a niche dietary solution is now entering the mainstream, with snacks, sauces, and staples tailored for sensitive guts.
Gourmend Foods is a sustainably-sourced line of delicious, gut friendlyfoods like broths and seasonings that are easily digestible in order toreplace stomach symptom-causing ingredients like onion and garlicwith flavorful, unique, clean, gentle alternatives for those who sufferfrom food sensitivities. These whole, clean, low FODMAP, gut friendlycooking essentials are free of all fillers, additives and preservatives.
This trend redefines the category by offering added benefits like extra protein, functional ingredients, or alternative flours for dietary needs. These versatile wraps serve as nutritious, multifunctional carriers that go beyond sandwiches to support modern wellness and lifestyle goals.
Crepini leads the low-carb wrap category with cauliflower-based protein wraps that double as crepes and sandwich alternatives. The brand blends French crêpe tradition with Ukrainian blini heritage, offering products like the Naked Crêpe and a range of egg-based wraps. Their lineup includes gluten-free, dairy-free, and cauliflower-infused options, all designed to be versatile and convenient. Crepini's products are praised for their taste and functionality, making them a staple for health-conscious consumers seeking quick, nutritious meals.
Hot sauces are gaining even more popularity as brands infuse their products with cultural heritage, personal narratives, and local ingredients. These sauces go beyond heat, offering consumers a deeper connection through origin stories, family recipes, or regional traditions in every bottle.
Clark + Hopkins captures the culinary traditions of global regions in each hot sauce, creating condiments that double as cultural experiences. This chef-driven hot sauce company has an award-winning lineup including sauces like Assam, Ethiopia, and District Sauce, each offering a unique taste experience. With a focus on quality ingredients and innovative recipes, Clark + Hopkins brings the world to your kitchen, one bottle at a time.
2025 was about rewriting the recipe. The biggest takeaway was that the future of food isn’t just functional or sustainable, it’s theatrical, emotional, and unapologetically global. It’s not about following flavor trends anymore. It’s about brands building worlds, sparking movements, and finding meaning in every bite. The Fancy Food Show didn’t just offer products, it served perspective. We’ll be watching closely, and tasting eagerly, to see what next year brings to the table.
NOTE: WholeFoods Magazine is a business-to-business publication. Information on this site should not be considered medical advice or a way to diagnose or treat any disease or illness. Always seek the advice of a medical professional before making lifestyle changes, including taking a dietary supplement. The opinions expressed by contributors and experts quoted in articles are not necessarily those of the publisher or editors of WholeFoods.