Matcha and yuzu have been described as emerging flavours for several years. In 2026, both continue to hold consumer attention, suggesting they have moved beyond short-lived novelty.
Recent Australian menu trend data from Tastewise shows matcha growing 39.2 per cent across local consumer signals. Yuzu is following a similar path, with current foodservice forecasts pointing to continued momentum for the Japanese citrus.
Their longevity changes the menu-development question. It is no longer simply whether chefs should use matcha or yuzu, but how they can apply the flavours beyond the drinks and dessert categories where customers most commonly encounter them.
Unilever Food Solutions’ Barley Greens Bowl with Matcha and Yuzu Sauce provides one savoury direction. The sauce combines Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise with yuzu juice, rice vinegar, matcha powder and honey.
The pairing works through contrast. Matcha contributes earthiness and a controlled bitterness, while yuzu provides tart citrus and aroma. Mayonnaise gives the sauce body and carries both flavours across the palate, with honey rounding the sharper edges and rice vinegar maintaining acidity.
The dressing is served with cooked barley, mesclun, soft tofu, roasted shiitake mushrooms, goji berries, cucumber ribbons and micro mint. Barley gives the bowl a nutty flavour and firm bite, while tofu, mushrooms and cucumber introduce softer, meatier and fresher textures.
For chefs, placing the trend-led flavours in a sauce is a measured approach. The bowl retains a recognisable grain-and-greens structure, while the dressing supplies the point of difference. Serving it on the side also allows the kitchen to control portioning and lets customers determine the intensity.
Restraint is particularly important with matcha. The recipe uses just 5g against 400g of mayonnaise, preventing its bitterness or powdery texture from dominating. Yuzu is similarly supported by fat, sweetness and vinegar rather than being treated as the sole acidic component.
The result demonstrates how established trends can remain relevant when they are moved into a different daypart and given a clear function within the dish.
