Ajinomoto Announces 2026 Summer Heat Food Trends: "Summer On/Off Switch Meals"

Ajinomoto Co., Inc. has released its "2026 Summer Heat Food Trends," proposing a new style called "Summer On/Off Switch Meals." This concept balances "Off Meals"—focusing on lightweight, heat-free cooking like cold soups or somen—with "On Meals" that provide stimulating, exotic flavors such as Mala-tang or spicy ethnic noodles. The report highlights that 80% of consumers find cooking in the kitchen painful during extreme summer heat, leading to a demand for products that minimize fire usage while satisfying the craving for intense flavors.