Chicago — Six flavor trends in the U.S. food marketplace are predicted to take hold in 2010 as consumers explore new ingredients.

Mintel International Group, Ltd. is predicting cardamom, sweet potato, hibiscus and rose water as well as cupuau and other South American flavors will be found more commonly in the coming year in a variety of forms.

Cardamom, according to Mintel, is most often seen in ethnic foods, but has already crossed-over in Cosmic Chocolate’s 3.5-ounce Cardamom and Blood Oranges 65% dark bar, which is currently on the market.

Sweet potato is predicted to be the next functional food; cupuau might be the next superfruit; Hibiscus, common in teas, could be seen in other beverages; rose water, used as a fragrance, has potential in ethnic foods; and Peruvian and Argentinean spices could be more prevalent in home cooking, according to the company.