Pantone unveils Mocha Mousse, a comforting brown shade symbolising harmony and “little treat culture.”
The Pantone Colour Institute has crowned Mocha Mousse (Pantone 17-1230) as the official colour of the year for 2025. This soft, chocolatey brown hue is intended to encapsulate themes of comfort, wellness, and the growing trend of “little treat culture.”
Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Colour Institute, explained that Mocha Mousse was selected to reflect a universal desire for balance and positive reframing. “As we began our selection process for this year, one of the things that kept bubbling up to the top was this desire for harmony,” Pressman said.
A Shift Towards Comfort and Balance
According to the institute, Mocha Mousse builds on last year’s colour, Peach Fuzz, evolving the narrative of warmth and personal wellness. The subtle brown hue is designed to evoke nostalgia and sensory delight, with its rich tones reminding people of comforting treats like chocolate or freshly baked cookies.
“It’s an evocative soft brown,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute. “All of our senses are awakened – in particular our sense of taste, for obvious reasons, and our sense of smell – who can resist the chocolate cookies baking in the oven?”
This shift aligns with rising consumer preferences for neutral tones that diverge from traditional beige or grey, reflecting a practical and versatile aesthetic.
A Colour for the Times
Eiseman noted that economic pressures and sustainability concerns have influenced consumer behaviour, with many seeking seasonless and durable products. “In a recession, and in an economy that’s shaky, you are thinking more about what you already own and how you can continue to use those things,” she said.
Mocha Mousse’s selection ties into the notion of finding joy in small, everyday moments. Pressman remarked, “How do we fill ourselves back up and have that momentary escape from everything that’s taking place around us, so that we feel full and can go back out and do what we were doing?”
Pantone’s Process and Global Influence
Pantone’s annual colour choice involves global research, interviews, and analysis of visual references. The chosen colour must resonate with current societal trends and cultural shifts. Since 1999, the institute has used this process to select hues that represent the mood of the time.
Eiseman acknowledged the varied reactions the colour might evoke but remained confident in its appeal. “Everybody has their individual feelings about colour,” she said. “But the deliciousness of the colour is definitely going to play into it.”
Mocha Mousse underscores the importance of subtlety, comfort, and timeless appeal in today’s world, cementing its place as the Colour of the Year for 2025.
