Flavor Trends, Strategies and Solutions for Menu Development

4 Red-Hot Global Sauces Condiments that bring the heat—and show significant growth on menus

Sauces like peri peri, which stars crushed bird’s eye chile, onion, pepper and citrus peel, introduce intrigue and fiery complexity.

There’s no shortage of sauce inspiration from global food cultures. The sweet spot lies in translating those sauces for American diners, mashing them into familiar forms, or combining them with familiar flavors for a signature experience. Here are four that bring the heat—and show significant growth on menus, according to Datassential.

Their menu penetration is still on the low side, providing that all-important menu differentiation. They also serve up an ample dose of flavor complexity and a sense of global adventure—two big drivers on today’s successful restaurant menus.

1. Gochujang

On 1.5% of menus
UP <200% over the last 4 years
6% of consumers have tried it

2. Harissa

On 3% of menus
UP 42% over the last 4 years
8% of consumers have tried it

3. Peri Peri

On >1 of menus
UP 41% over the last 4 years
9% of consumers have tried it

4. S’chug

On 7% of menus
UP 83% over the last 4 years
23% of consumers have tried it

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About The Author

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Katie Ayoub is managing editor of Flavor & The Menu. She has been working in foodservice publishing for more than 16 years and on the Flavor team since 2006. She won a 2015 Folio award for her Flavor & The Menu article, Heritage Matters. In 2006, she won “Best Culinary Article” from the Cordon D’Or for an article on offal.