Ingredients in Focus is Food Dive’s bite-size column highlighting interesting developments in the ingredients sector.
Everything will be coming up brown sugar in 2025.
Brown sugar has been dubbed the 2025 flavor of the year by T. Hasegawa, a California-based flavor development company. The sweet, sticky ingredient stands atop the flavors-to-look-for list because its versatile yet nostalgic flavor profile lends itself to a host of novel uses as manufacturers tap into its richness and complexity, according to the company.
Brown sugar is “increasingly featured by coffee shops in ‘brown sugar lattes,’ and gaining momentum among mixologists for the deep flavor notes it adds to craft beverages and cocktails like Old Fashioneds or dark rum-based drinks. Since brown sugar is not refined to remove all of its molasses content, it retains an intense caramel-like richness and a warm color that makes this ingredient popular among foodies and culinary influencers on social media,” the company said in a statement.
The ingredient is made by combining refined white sugar with molasses, and comes in both light and dark varieties.
Natural brown sugar, which is refined but contains some of the natural molasses, comes in varieties that differ on size and sucrose levels and are sold as turbinado, demerara and muscovado sugar.
“The future of brown sugar lies in its adaptability and versatility,” T. Sasegawa said in its flavor report. “As demand for natural and sustainable ingredients grows, unrefined and organic Brown Sugar options will likely dominate. Its role in fusion cuisines, unique beverages, and plant-based innovations will continue to expand, ensuring brown sugar remains a timeless and essential ingredient in traditional and modern culinary landscapes.”
