2026 beverage trends show pineapple flavours align with consumer preference

Sweet, citrusy and with a pinch of spiciness – pineapple flavour captures the essence of sunshine and celebration.

It represents sensory brightness, embodying an uplifting taste experience that brings a sense of lightness and positivity. In moments where consumers seek an emotional refresh, the flavour of pineapple provides an instant boost of joy, energy and a touch of tropical escape.

Recent trend analyses and customer insights point to a clear collective mood: consumers are drawn to uplifting, exotic and naturally clean-tasting flavour profiles. These preferences mirror broader societal shifts towards optimism, vitality and emotional wellbeing. Pineapple, as a flavour concept, encapsulates these desires perfectly. Its taste evokes feelings associated with freshness, brightness and a mental sense of wellness.

Global research from Innova and Mintel underscores several trends defining consumer choices in the food and beverage industry as 2026 approaches. Among numerous flavour directions, pineapple stands out as a unifying element across key emotional and lifestyle-driven themes.

1. Relaxed sociability: The tropical connector

In a post-digital-frenzy world, human connection is becoming a valued luxury. The ’relaxed sociability’ trend reflects consumers’ growing desire for authentic, effortless togetherness – casual gatherings, outdoor get-togethers or moments of enjoyment without pressure.¹ Products that foster easy social experiences are increasingly demanded.

Pineapple flavour reminds perfectly of such feelings. It symbolically transports consumers to sunny beaches and poolside gatherings. The taste suggests openness and shared enjoyment. Pineapple evokes summer feelings – reminders of vacations, laughter and a carefree atmosphere.

Brands can channel these emotional cues by incorporating pineapple profiles in products that invite sociability: from energy drinks inspired by piña colada to pineapple-infused mate tea beverages or tropical energy drinks for shared occasions. Through these associations, pineapple flavour becomes a connector – a flavour that doesn’t just taste tropical but makes people feel united, uplifted and ready to celebrate the ordinary.

2. Time for me: Wellness in every sip

The growing ‘time for me’ movement puts emphasis on emotional balance and small, personal rituals.¹ While consumers are seeking food and drink options linked with wellbeing, their understanding of wellness has expanded beyond nutrition alone. Refreshment, flavour and mood-lifting experiences play a central role.

This is where pineapple flavour shines. It creates an emotional perception of wellbeing through taste. Its natural brightness and balanced sweetness can transform a simple beverage into a comforting moment of personal escape. The flavour recalls sun-filled days, tropical calm and a sense of self-care through sensory pleasure.

For brands, pineapple offers a gateway to wellness-oriented innovation. Think of prebiotic soda (or fibre soda in Europe): while fuelling topics like gut health and wellness needs, brands can level up their products by promoting pineapple’s natural benefits.

Beverage developers can use pineapple flavour to enhance products aligned with emotional wellness – whether in low-sugar sodas, sparkling waters or mood-driven functional beverages. When combined with gentle carbonation, herbal infusions or light acidity, pineapple builds a moment of refreshment that supports consumers’ mental reset during hectic days.

In this sense, the flavour offers an accessible path to self-care: a flavourful pause that nurtures the mind.

3. Vitality and longevity: Energising taste for an active lifestyle

The pursuit of energy, balance and vitality is another enduring consumer goal. The ‘vitality and longevity’ trend highlights the desire not just to live longer but to live actively and meaningfully.¹ Products that are associated with freshness, lightness and sustained energy resonate across all generations.

Pineapple flavour contributes to this narrative in a distinctive, sensory way. Its taste profile symbolises an active, vibrant lifestyle. The sensation it creates is refreshing, dynamic and slightly tangy – a sensory cue of energy and optimism. It fits perfectly into categories that address modern consumers’ pursuit of balance: reduced-sugar energy drinks, light protein beverages, branched-chain animo acids (BCAA’s), hydration-focused waters or new-gen functional drinks that combine great taste with emotional wellbeing.

Moreover, the versatility of pineapple flavour helps brands align their products with vitality concepts. By pairing it with floral, citrus or slightly spicy notes such as ginger, mint or lemongrass, developers can reinforce the impression of functional freshness, while maintaining transparency about what the product truly offers – enjoyment and refreshing indulgence.

4. The global shift toward tropical flavours

Flavour itself has become one of the strongest decision factors for today’s consumers. Tropical taste directions represent a powerful movement across markets: they communicate a break from everyday routine and capture the emotional pull of exploration, relaxation and sunshine. Pineapple stands at the heart of this shift.

Its sweet-acidic profile instantly transports the consumer to faraway places. The mind automatically fills in vibrant imagery – bright light, juicy fruit, the sound of ice cubes clinking in a glass. This mental link is what makes pineapple one of the most expressive and emotionally resonant flavours available.

The current flavour landscape shows a clear increase in tropical-themed product launches, ranging from non-alcoholic beverages and iced teas to desserts, snacks and even savoury sauces. Pineapple’s ability to bridge sweetness and acidity makes it suitable for both indulgent and clean-label concepts. It works well either as a solo star or as part of creative pairings that add adventure to traditional recipes.

Flavour pairings that pop

Pineapple’s adaptability allows for continuous innovation across product categories. The following flavour pairing options highlight its emotional and sensory depth:

Pineapple and coconut A tropical classic that communicates relaxation and smooth indulgence.
Pineapple and mango Mango is the most popular combination with pineapple.
Pineapple and ginger A lively fusion that catches the current ‘swicy’ (sweet-spicy) trend.
Pineapple and mint Clean and refreshing, great for sparkling waters or iced teas designed for mental clarity.
Pineapple and chili A bold combination that provides excitement and contrast, well-suited for adult-oriented or culinary-inspired beverage creations.
Pineapple and vanilla Soft and soothing, an appealing bridge between comfort and exotic flair in dessert-style drinks or flavoured milks.

These pairings demonstrate pineapple flavour’s ability to support a wide range of emotional positions – from energizing and lively to relaxing and indulgent – making it an invaluable tool for developers targeting both wellness-oriented and experience-seeking consumers.

2026: The year of ‘punky pineapple’

The forecast for 2026 places pineapple flavour at the centre of flavour innovation.^²⁻³ Its versatility aligns naturally with key macro trends: fostering social connection, supporting personal wellbeing and symbolizing energy and vitality. ‘Punky pineapple’, an expressive interpretation of tropical brightness, embodies precisely these qualities – rebellious in its freshness, confident in its acidity and universally joyful in its appeal.

“Punky pineapple bursts with bold tropical energy, combining the juicy flavour of pineapple with a rebellious twist of brightness and acidity,” says Isolde Tomann, senior flavourist at esarom.

By harnessing the positive associations surrounding pineapple flavour, brands can create products that resonate emotionally, communicate optimism and fit effortlessly into modern lifestyles.

Pineapple is not simply a trend-driven flavour – it represents a feeling. It is a sensory shortcut to the spirit of summer, one that refreshes the mind as much as the palate. In a marketplace defined by emotional choice, pineapple flavour offers the spark of happiness that consumers seek in every sip. Esarom therefore dedicates pineapple as the esarom flavour of the year 2026.^⁴

Pineapple flavour delivers strong emotional impact. It capitalizes on positive associations with freshness, energy, summer and togetherness. As trends continue to evolve, this tropical note remains a beacon of optimism for both brands and consumers alike.

The year 2026 will be remembered as the year when pineapple flavour turned from a tropical delight into a symbol of bright, feel-good innovation.

References