McCormick Is Releasing a New Product It’s Calling the ‘Flavor of the Year’

These days, our spice racks may look a little different than our grandmothers’. Instead of just a handful of basic spices, they’re packed with single spices and blends from all over the world, giving us plenty of meal inspiration.  

It’s not uncommon for garam masala to sit right next to parsley, or to have Spanish pimentón (smoked paprika) alongside everyday sweet paprika. Even newly trending flavors have been transformed into blends, like everything bagel, for shaking over deviled eggs and salmon. 

Spice giant McCormick just announced it’s adding a new seasoning to its portfolio—one the company is calling the 2025 Flavor of the Year, of course falling in line with the 25th edition of its annual Flavor Forecast.

McCormick to Launch Aji Amarillo Seasoning

McCormick will launch Aji Amarillo Seasoning for a limited time beginning in early February. The blend will feature dried aji amarillo—a South American yellow chile pepper and a staple in Peruvian cuisine—in addition to dried garlic and onion, tomato and mango powders, sea salt, and other seasonings.

Aji amarillo has a slightly smoky, fruity, and tropical flavor profile. The chile has moderate heat, making it ideal in both food and drinks.

McCormick’s Aji Amarillo Seasoning can be sprinkled on beef, pork, chicken, or seafood before cooking for a punch of flavor. The dried spice can also be mixed with equal parts oil and water to create a paste for the chicken dish aji de gallina, blended into a cheese sauce for roasted broccoli. or folded into a potato salad. For a more novel approach, rim a margarita glass to add a little heat to your drink.

The limited-time offering of Aji Amarillo Seasoning will be available online in 2.11-ounce jars. In addition to the Aji Amarillo Seasoning, McCormick forecasts that tropical, charred, and smoky flavors will also lead the way in 2025.