Discover 2025 Trending Ingredients: Insights from the Camstar Ingredients Team

Here at Camstar Ingredients, the New Product Development (NPD) Team are constantly exploring emerging trends in the food industry to bring innovative solutions to our customers.

With the new year already in full flow, showing exciting potential for new flavours, textures, and some wellness-focused ingredients at the top of the list, so we’re diving into the ingredients, herbs, and spices set to make waves this year.

Here’s a closer look at what’s cooking (literally) with a rundown of the top 2025 Trending Ingredient rumoured to be on everybody’s radar over the next few months.

2025 Trending Ingredients No:1. Black Lime: A Tangy Twist

Black lime, also known as dried lime or loomi is stepping into the limelight (excuse the pun.)

This tangy, smoky ingredient is a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine and is now making its way into global kitchens. Its bold flavour pairs wonderfully with savoury dishes like stews, marinades, and roasted vegetables.

Black lime can be found in dry rubs and seasoning blends to add depth and complexity to proteins and plant-based dishes alike.

2025 Trending Ingredients No:1 Hawaij: The Spice Blend to Watch

Hailing from Yemen, Hawaij is a warm, aromatic spice blend featuring ginger, cardamom, turmeric, and cinnamon. I

ts versatility is one of its strongest assets, lending itself to soups, stews, coffee, and even desserts.

As global palates continue to embrace new and diverse flavour profiles, Hawaij offers a unique opportunity to add depth to a variety of dishes.

Hawaij could be incorporated into convenience food products and seasoning packets to bring this blend to a broader audience. It’s set to be one of the big 2025 Trending Ingredients.

Ingredient No:3 Functional Mushrooms: More Than Just Flavour

Mushrooms like reishi, lion’s mane, and chaga are no longer niche ingredients.

Their perceived health benefits, including cognitive enhancement and immune support, have catapulted them into the mainstream.

From powdered blends in health drinks to savoury applications like broths and soups, functional mushrooms offer an exciting avenue for product innovation.

Food production companies may start to increase integration of these mushrooms into both dry mixes and ready-to-cook meal kits for a health-conscious consumer base.

4. Edible Flowers: A Feast for the Eyes and Palate

Edible flowers like hibiscus, lavender, and marigold are increasingly featured in food and beverage products.

Not only do they provide visual appeal, but their unique flavours enhance both sweet and savoury applications.

Hibiscus for its tangy taste in beverage mixes and marigold as a natural food colouring alternative, aligning with the trend for clean-label products.

5. Turmeric-Based Blends: A Golden Opportunity

Turmeric’s rise in popularity shows no sign of slowing down.

Renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties, this golden spice is now being combined with other ingredients to create functional blends.

Think turmeric-infused snacks, beverages, and meal kits combined black pepper and ginger to maximise health benefits and deliver bold, warming flavours.

6. African Spice Blends: Celebrating Bold Flavours

Africa’s rich culinary heritage is gaining well-deserved recognition, with spice blends like mitmita (an Ethiopian mix) and chakalaka (a South African relish) making their way onto the global stage.

These vibrant flavours offer an authentic taste of their regions, ideal for marinades, soups, and even snack seasonings.

Incorporating these bold blends into ready-to-eat products, can make these new flavours accessible to a wider audience.

7. Sourdough Innovations: Beyond the Loaf
Sourdough is no longer confined to bread. Its tangy flavour and artisanal appeal are inspiring innovations in pasta, crackers, and even desserts.

2025 Trending Ingredients could include sourdough as a flavour enhancer in biscuit mixes and coating systems for snacks, adding a unique twist to traditional products.

8. Seaweed and Plant-Based Aquatic Ingredients: Sustainable and Savoury
Sustainability is a major driver for 2025, and seaweed is leading the charge.

Rich in umami flavour and nutrients, seaweed is making its way into snacks, condiments, and plant-based proteins from seasoning blends to sauces, aligning with the growing demand for eco-friendly ingredients.

9. Tea-Flavoured Snacks: Sophisticated Snacking
Tea isn’t just for drinking anymore. Varieties like matcha, oolong, and Earl Grey are being used to flavour snacks, baked goods, and even savoury items.

This trend caters to consumers looking for subtle, complex flavours.

You may well se the industry working on tea-infused biscuit bases and snack coatings, perfect for pairing with afternoon tea or a quick pick-me-up.

10. Brown Sugar: The Sweet Star of 2025
Brown sugar’s deep, caramel-like flavour is gaining popularity across the board. From baked goods to beverages, it’s becoming a go-to ingredient for adding warmth and richness.

Brown sugar is set be one of the big 2025 Trending Ingredients in rubs and glazes for proteins, as well as in sweet-and-savoury seasoning blends for snacks.

Looking Ahead
The culinary world is constantly changing and innovations in food technology bring new exciting  and 2025 is shaping up to be a year of bold flavours, health-conscious choices, and sustainable solutions.

As a team passionate about innovation, we’re excited to help our customers bring these trends to life in their products.
If you’d like to learn more about how Camstar Ingredients can support your next product development project, get in touch with our team today.

Together, we can make 2025 a year of culinary creativity.