In beverages, snacks and indulgent desserts, unexpected or better-for-you ingredients are added alongside nostalgic flavors, giving products a "newstalgic" twist. Layers on layers of flavor and texturesThe demand for unexpected, but nuanced flavor combinations is expected to escalate significantly in 2026. "There's a visual aesthetic, complex taste" that comes with layering flavors, Van Houten said. Dark sweet cherry was top of the list for T. Hasegawa's flavor trends. Stiller's Soda, founded by actor Ben Stiller, is also promoting nostalgic flavors with lower sugar formulations to provide consumers with better-for-you indulgences.