At the end of 2025, many brands announced their highlights of the year for 2025, for example, TIME Magazine and several dictionaries. However, other brands looked forward rather than backward. Here is a recap of the brands that looked toward 2026 by sharing their flavor and color trends for 2026.
MCCORMICK'S FLAVOR OF THE YEAR FOR 2026
Since 2000, the McCormick Flavor Forecast has identified the global trends shaping the future of flavor. According to the brand's website on December 9th, "For 2026, we’re celebrating Black Currant as the Flavor of the Year. Black Currant berries are native to central and northern Europe and northern Asia. They combine tart-and-tangy with a sweet, fruity flavor that's earthy, slightly floral, and herbal. The dark purple fruit has been popular for centuries in specific regions as an ingredient in jams, syrups, candies, desserts, drinks, and liqueurs. It's quickly gaining popularity and is forecast to show up on global menus soon."
TORANI'S FLAVOR OF THE YEAR FOR 2026
According to FoodDive, "Specialty syrup manufacturer Torani declared its flavor of the year for 2026: FOREST PINE. Every year since 2022, Torani produces a flavor meant to predict the next big taste trend among consumers. The choice of forest pine for 2026 reflects growing demand for botanical flavors and nature-inspired, sensory-rich experiences. Forest pine blends flavors of pine, ginger and sage with the goal of capturing "the essence of the outdoors." The flavor will be added to Torani’s Puremade syrup lineup, which uses cane sugar and colors from natural sources. Although pine is typically associated with the winter season, Torani said its flavor is meant to be enjoyed all year long. The company said it would dedicate 100 percent of profits from the forest pine syrup to seven nonprofit organizations offering work readiness opportunities, many of them connected to the outdoors."
M&M'S FLAVOR VOTE: BAKERY COLLECTION LAUNCHES IN JANUARY 2026
The M&M's Flavor Vote is a limited-edition rollout of never-before-seen flavors. During the promotion, M&M's asks fans to try the new flavors and vote for their favorite. Previous installments of the contest saw the limited release of Thai Coconut Peanut, Mexican Jalapeno Peanut, and Crunchy Raspberry flavors, with English Toffee Peanut, Crunchy Mint, and M&M's Coffee Nut flavors among those to be crowned winners.
Beginning in January, fans are being asked to choose 2026’s flavor from a new "Bakery Collection." The three new flavors are Peanut Butter Cinnamon Roll, Cherry Chocolate Cupcake, and Lemon Meringue Pie. According to All Recipes, "M&M’s new Flavor Vote offerings hit shelves in January 2026. Customers can try the new flavors and then vote for their favorite using the QR code located on the packaging. The winning flavor will see an extended run, while the two losers will join the Flavor Vote graveyard."
OREO ZERO SUGAR COOKIES LAUNCH IN JANUARY 2026
And before we pivot from flavors to colors, OREO announced during December that it would unveil its "OREO Zero Sugar Cookies" beginning in January. For the first time in the U.S, shoppers can find Oreo Zero Sugar cookies on retail shelves as part of the brand's permanent lineup. According to the brand, the treat will have the same taste fans love but with a sugar-free sweetener blend. According to All Recipes, "Oreo Zero Sugar cookies are free of aspartame and are instead sweetened with a blend of maltitol, polydextrose, sucralose, and ace-K, also known as acesulfame potassium. These are commonly found in sugar-free food and beverages, such as Hershey's Zero Sugar Chocolate Candy and Diet Coke Lime. For this launch, you won't see the standard resealable packaging. Instead, the cookies will be in a stand-up bag with individually wrapped servings. It will contain 10 2-count Oreo packs, making it easy to keep your cookies fresh and snack on the go."
PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR FOR 2026
Pantone Color Institute announced its 2026 Color of the Year on December 4th. Recognized as the global color authority, Pantone chose CLOUD DANCER, Pantone 11-4201, the first time a shade of white has been chosen since it began naming a color of the year back in 1999. According to TIME Magazine, "This year’s pick is meant to represent serenity and tranquility, which Pantone says is ever in need in a frenetic society. Cloud dancer calls back to the need for human connection."
According to wedding planner Muriel Saldalamacchia, Cloud Dancer brings a fresh perspective to a color long associated with weddings, "Cloud Dancer isn’t just a color—it’s an invitation to let white breathe, move, and tell a new story. It’s white, but with a soul."
ETSY COLOR OF THE YEAR FOR 2026
The online e-commerce brand Etsy announced its 2026 color of the year on December 10th: Patina Blue, a quietly saturated blue-green inspired by the way copper naturally ages over time. According to Decor, "This hue is meant to capture a growing appetite for pieces that feel lived-in rather than pristine, echoing a broader shift toward objects that wear in, not out. According to Etsy, searches for “blue copper” have climbed more than threefold over the past year. Chemically, the patina that forms on copper is the result of oxidation and exposure to the elements, gradually transforming the metal from bright, reflective orange to a matte blue-green surface. That change has long received acclaim on historic roofs, statuary, and architectural details, where the softened color signals age, authenticity, and a certain lived-in gravitas. By translating that effect into a color story for 2026, Etsy is aligning itself with a larger move in interiors and decor toward finishes that feel layered and enduring. Patina Blue also arrives at a moment when many color narratives are pivoting away from shock value. Instead of a high-contrast statement shade, Etsy’s pick leans into nuance—a color that can read coastal, industrial, or vintage, depending on how it’s deployed. Because the choice is informed by real-time marketplace behavior rather than a purely top-down forecast, it reflects how shoppers are already decorating: layering aged blues with warm metals, natural materials, and a mix of old and new pieces. In that sense, Patina Blue is less a directive and more a confirmation that the next chapter of color is about evolution, subtlety, and the quiet depth that earns its place over time."
IKEA COLOR OF THE YEAR FOR 2026
According to Apartment Therapy, "Swedish furniture brand IKEA announced its 2026 Color of the Year as Rebel Pink, a hue that brings "a bold response to the need for joy, energy, and self-expression," explained Abbey Stark, home furnishing direction leader at IKEA U.S. "When selecting Rebel Pink as the Color of the Year for 2026, we looked deeply into macro trends across design, fashion, and culture, and how they influence life in our homes. We see [Rebel Pink] as a new neutral that energizes everyday spaces while staying true to Scandinavian simplicity; it’s not just a color, it’s a movement that invites people to push boundaries and embrace individuality.” The color is heavily featured in the new GREJSIMOJS collection, a set created by 12 designers that celebrates the importance of joy and play for both kids and adults.
BENJAMIN MOORE COLOR OF THE YEAR FOR 2026
The following news was announced back in October but is included due to all the other OF THE YEAR announcements. The paint color brand announced SILHOUETTE AF-655 as its color of the year for 2026 and described it as "a distinctive color that weaves luxurious burnt umber with delicate notes of charcoal."
SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COLOR OF THE YEAR FOR 2026
For the first time, Sherwin-Williams and its sister brand HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams teamed up to reveal a joint 2026 color of the year. The news was announced back in September but is included due to all the other OF THE YEAR announcements. The two brands announced UNIVERSAL KHAKI SW 6150 as their color of the year for 2026 and described it as "a tailored and timeless neutral with the endless possibility of a fresh canvas."
AKZONOBEL'S COLORS OF THE YEAR FOR 2026
The following news was announced back in September but is included due to all the other OF THE YEAR announcements. First though, did you know that this brand has been around since 1792? According to the paint color brand's website, "It’s time to dance to the Rhythm of Blues™ and celebrate AkzoNobel’s Colors of the Year 2026 – an upbeat and versatile color family that’s calming, connecting and creative. There’s a trio of shades for next year – the light blue Mellow Flow, the dark blue Slow Swing, and the vibrant Free Groove – so everyone can find a style that works for them. The harmonious collection of signature indigos is just what we need in our homes, according to the results of the company’s extensive annual trend research."
LITTLE GREENE'S COLOR OF THE YEAR FOR 2026
The following news was announced back in September but is included due to all the other OF THE YEAR announcements. First though, did you know that this brand is a 300-year-old family-run business in Northern Wales? The brand chose ADVENTURER, a regal plum aubergine very similar to burgundy, as its color of the year for 2026 and explained that "it combines sophistication with comfort and works well as an accent wall in bedrooms, bold powder rooms, or dining areas, and pairs beautifully with neutrals or pale pinks."
According to Ruth Mothershead, creative director at Little Greene, "The movement toward burgundy represents customers' growing confidence with color in their homes. Adventurer provides that perfect balance of regal sophistication and intimate comfort."
GRAHAM & BROWN'S COLOR OF THE YEAR FOR 2026
The following news was announced in September but is included due to all the other OF THE YEAR announcements. The leading British interiors brand announced DIVINE DAMSON as its own color of the year for 2026 and explained, "The deep, plum shade is designed to work on its own or be paired with a more subtle, complementary color like gray. The dark, moody red is a mix of oxblood, cherry, and mocha brown (a color trend that also defined 2025), with a touch of deep aubergine (a color that's growing in popularity). The color was inspired by the lush tones of ripe damson and figs."
VALSPAR COLOR OF THE YEAR FOR 2026
The following news was announced in August but is included due to all the other OF THE YEAR announcements. The paint brand announced WARM EUCALYPTUS 8004-28F as its color of the year for 2026 and explained, "Sometimes a color gives you a warm feeling inside. And out. This year, that color is our 2026 Color of the Year — naturally restorative and serene Warm Eucalyptus."
GLIDDEN COLOR OF THE YEAR FOR 2026
The following news was announced in August but is included due to all the other OF THE YEAR announcements. The paint brand announced WARM MAHOGANY as its color of the year for 2026 and explained, "Warm Mahogany is a rich, grounded red that’s bold enough to draw immediate attention and reserved enough to make a timeless statement. Any style, any space, any mood."
According to Ashley McCollum, color marketing manager at Glidden, "The color can be both intimate and dramatic and is a timeless color that aligns with Glidden’s 150-year heritage."
BEHR PAINT COLOR OF THE YEAR FOR 2026
The following news was announced back in July but is included due to all the other OF THE YEAR announcements. The paint color brand announced HIDDEN GEM N430-6A as its color of the year for 2026 and described it as "a smoky jade that embodies an air of mystery and sophistication."
DUTCH BOY PAINTS' COLOR OF THE YEAR FOR 2026
The following news was announced back in April but is included due to all the other OF THE YEAR announcements. The paint color brand announced MELODIUS IVORY 313-2DB as its color of the year for 2026 and explained, "This creamy beige pairs effortlessly with various materials, including wood, cozy textiles, and handmade crafts, which support the rise of slow living and nostalgia-inspired aesthetics."
Do you like these choices? Do these flavors and colors tell engaging brand stories? We'll see how they align with the news stories of 2026 as the year unfolds.
SHARE THIS: I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way. ~Georgia O'Keefe #Color #BrandExperience #DebbieLaskeysBlog
Image Credits: Mars/M&M's, Behr Paint, Sherwin-Williams, and OREO.
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