Recently, McCormick & Company named tamarind as its flavor of the year for 2024, according to the company’s recently released Flavor Forecast trends report. Offering both sweet and tangy flavor notes, tamarind traditionally has been used in Latin American, Caribbean and Mexican cuisines, and is now featured in McCormick’s Tamarind & Pasille Chile Seasoning.

The flavor innovator, in collaboration with renowned burger joint Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer, is introducing tamarind-infused menu items in celebration of the flavor of the year. Fans will be able to taste the Tamarind & Pasille Chile seasoning in the limited time menu, available at all US and select global Black Tap locations throughout February.

Hadar Cohen Aviram, executive chef and senior manager, culinary development, US consumer at McCormick, and Stephen Parker, corporate executive chef at Black Tap, came together to develop a chicken burger, fries and famous CrazyShake milkshake infused with Tamarind & Pasilla Chile Seasoning:

• Tamarind Chile Jam Burger – This burger features spiced ground chicken seasoned with ginger, garlic, scallions and soy sauce, then basted with a sweet and tangy tamarind chile jam that features McCormick Tamarind & Pasilla Chile Seasoning. Topped with a roasted garlic sesame aioli spread and a Thai salad of basil, cilantro, pickled carrots, pickled onions and chilis, the burger is then finished with more tamarind chile jam and toasted tamarind pasilla chile cashews.
• Tamarind & Pasilla Chile Fries – These French fries perfectly complement the Tamarind Chile Jam Burger or can be enjoyed on their own. Tossed in Black Tap’s house-made chili oil and McCormick Tamarind & Pasilla Chile Seasoning, the fries are drizzled with roasted garlic sesame aioli and garnished with spring onions.
• Tamarind Chile Cocoa Churro CrazyShake – This vanilla ice cream milkshake is seasoned with McCormick Tamarind & Pasilla Chile Seasoning, cocoa powder and chocolate syrup to combine sour and sweet. The glass is rimmed with chocolate fudge icing before being rolled in crushed cocoa puffs. For added indulgence, fried churros, cinnamon sugar and a fudge pop are added before being topped with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, crushed cocoa puffs and a light dusting of the spice.

“We love to work with creative and like-minded brands and it’s a real treat to create totally unique dishes in collaboration with McCormick,” says Stephen Parker. “We had a lot of fun highlighting Tamarind and balancing it with other global flavors to develop innovative menu offerings. The Tamarind Chile Jam Burger thoughtfully borrows from Southeast Asia, while the Mocha Tamarind Chile CrazyShake took inspiration from the Iberian Peninsula and Latin America. We want to invite everyone to dine at Black Tap and experience these dishes during February.”

“Tamarind exemplifies our 2024 trends; brought to life through our partnership with Black Tap,” says Hadar Cohen Aviram. “Tamarind pairs well with so many dishes and beverages, and its well-rounded, full-flavored profile holds its own as both the star and supporting act. Black Tap has done a beautiful job of highlighting Tamarind in each dish and we’re excited for people to taste the Flavor of the Year in these menu items.”