dsm-firmenich has announced ‘Frosted Star Anise’ is its Flavour of the Year for 2026. This forward-thinking flavour draws from the Pantone Colour of the Year 2026: ‘PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer’, a lofty white hue which inspired dsm-firmenich to elevate both an ingredient and a feeling as the 2026 Flavour of the Year. Together, these two emotional indicators reflect a growing global desire for calm in an increasingly fast-paced world.
‘Frosted Star Anise’ combines the comforting warmth of star anise with a cool, frosted twist. This distinctive pairing is more than flavourful—it represents a dual aspiration: peace and tranquility, embodied by star anise, and revitalisation, captured in the refreshing frosted element.
Said Maurizio Clementi, EVP for Taste: “Innovation and cultural insight are at the heart of what we do at dsm-firmenich. Building on star anise’s quiet rise and the growing fascination with cooling and other trigeminal sensations, ‘Frosted Star Anise’ fulfils today’s craving for balance and a breath of fresh air.”
Star anise is a striking, star-shaped spice with a sweet-spicy profile and notes of liquorice, clove, and cinnamon. It features in global cuisines—from Vietnamese pho to Moroccan tagine to Mexican café de olla to Chinese five-spice-inspired blends—and in comforting classics like chai, mulled wine, and jams. It also shines in adventurous applications such as root beer floats, BBQ sauce, and confectionery and savoury dishes where it adds complexity and aromatic depth.
The “frosted” element introduces cooling sensations through ingredients like mint or advanced technologies such as dsm-firmenich’s freezestorm™.
Added Jeffrey Schmoyer, VP Human Insights, Taste, Texture & Health: “Cooling isn’t a taste—it’s a complex sensation triggered by temperature-sensitive receptors. These trigeminal sensations—which also include spiciness, warming, and numbing—enhance flavour in exciting, multidimensional ways.
“Star anise is a ‘secret weapon’—ubiquitous yet underappreciated. It’s time this versatile ingredient gets the attention it deserves.”
Cooling and frosted elements are also trending, especially in beverages, but increasingly in other categories—like refreshing jellies, shaved ice, and chilled soups—and even in beauty and home care, where ‘frosted’ conveys elegance and uplifting freshness.
Concluded Clementi: “Flavour of the Year is more than a taste—it embodies cultural sentiment and emerging trends. It’s an astute sense of ‘what’s next,’ distilled into an experience that resonates emotionally with consumers. That’s at the heart of what we do every day.” For more visit dsm-firmenich.com/2026-frosted-star-anise
