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New Taylor Farms data reveals Massachusetts is one of America’s most salad-curious states, as functional, protein-driven eating reshapes the bowl
National search-data study uncovers five flavor profiles driving how Americans build their salads in 2026, with Massachusetts anchoring the East Coast story.
Americans are eating salads very differently than they did a decade ago, and new search-data research from Taylor Farms, one of North America’s leading producers of fresh salads and healthy meal solutions, shows that Massachusetts is part of a broader East Coast story now reshaping how the country builds the bowl.
The company’s newly released Salad Curiosity Census maps state-by-state interest in five emerging salad trends, and has placed Massachusetts at #7 nationally on the top-10 most salad-curious states leaderboard. The Commonwealth’s placement is fueled by the East Coast lean toward functional, fiber-forward and protein-driven eating, even as the West Coast and Hawaii chase heat and crunch.
The findings paint a picture of a state that has moved decisively past iceberg-and-vinaigrette territory. Massachusetts consumers are now actively searching for bold global flavor mashups, functional ingredients that support gut health, protein-dense bowls built around macros, texture-forward toppings, and modernized takes on retro classics.
The five flavor profiles shaping American salads
The study identifies five distinct trends driving search behavior across the country:
- Powerhouse Protein — Bowls anchored around hard-boiled eggs, grilled steak, quinoa, lentils, and other high-protein ingredients designed to hit a 20-gram-per-meal target. Virginia, Illinois, and Hawaii show the strongest curiosity.
- Swicy & Swangy — A bolder evolution of the swicy (sweet + spicy) movement, layering in tangy notes from hot honey, lime, sriracha-miso, and chili. Hawaii leads with more than 6,000 monthly searches, followed by Oregon and Washington.
- Crunch Core — A texture-first trend that elevates toasted nuts, seeds, crispy shallots, jicama, and snap peas over the traditional crouton. Oregon takes the top spot with nearly 5,500 monthly searches, with Washington and Hawaii close behind.
- Gut Glory — Functional eating focused on probiotic and high-fiber additions like kimchi, sauerkraut, chickpeas, and kefir-based dressings. East Coast states dominate this category, with Maryland and New Jersey flanking Nevada in the top three.
- Newstalgia — Modernized versions of childhood classics, such as the Waldorf or Wedge, paired with clean-label dressings and premium ingredients like artisanal blue cheese or heirloom tomatoes. Hawaii, Washington, and Oregon again lead the search.
Massachusetts’ seventh-place spot reflects a steady East Coast appetite for functional, ingredient-forward salads. New England wellness culture, with its strong tilt toward probiotic-rich menus, fiber-forward eating, and clean-label dressings, tracks closely with the Gut Glory trend, while Boston’s restaurant scene continues to reinvent classics like the Caesar, Waldorf, and Wedge in line with the Newstalgia movement.
Together, those patterns position the Commonwealth as a steady, multi-trend driver on the national salad map rather than a one-profile state.
The top 10 most salad-curious states nationally:
1. Hawaii
2. Washington
3. Oregon
4. Illinois
5. Maryland
6. Virginia
7. Massachusetts
8. Nevada
9. Maine
10. New Jersey
A shift toward regional customization
Taken together, the data points to a national salad market that is no longer one-size-fits-all. Flavor preferences are increasingly regional, ingredient curiosity is widening, and consumers are treating the salad bowl as an opportunity for both culinary exploration and functional nutrition.
For brands, retailers, and foodservice operators, the implication is clear: assortment strategies, recipe innovation, and marketing creative all benefit from a more granular, state-by-state read on what shoppers are searching for.
