Ingredients in Focus is Food Dive’s bite-size column highlighting interesting developments in the ingredients sector.
Get ready for a sweet trend in 2025 – brown sugar is set to take the spotlight.
T. Hasegawa, a California-based flavor development company, has named brown sugar as the flavor of the year for 2025. This versatile ingredient with a nostalgic flavor profile is gaining popularity for its richness and complexity, leading to innovative uses by manufacturers.
Coffee shops are featuring brown sugar lattes, while mixologists are incorporating it into craft beverages and cocktails like Old Fashioneds and rum-based drinks. With its intense caramel-like richness and warm color, brown sugar has captured the attention of foodies and culinary influencers on social media.
This ingredient is created by combining refined white sugar with molasses, available in both light and dark varieties.
Natural brown sugar, which retains some natural molasses, comes in different varieties such as turbinado, demerara, and muscovado sugar, each with unique characteristics in terms of size and sucrose levels.
According to T. Hasegawa’s flavor report, the future of brown sugar lies in its adaptability and versatility. As the demand for natural and sustainable ingredients grows, unrefined and organic brown sugar options are expected to dominate the market. Its role in fusion cuisines, innovative beverages, and plant-based creations will continue to expand, cementing brown sugar’s status as a timeless and essential ingredient in both traditional and modern culinary landscapes.