As the calendar year winds down, we naturally find ourselves both reflecting on the year that was and looking forward to what is to come. I always love to hear what trend analysts suggest will be popular for food and drink in the upcoming year. According to Unilever Food Solutions, health-conscious trends will continue in to 2018. Keep an eye out for:
Poke bowls
Poh-keh – cubed raw fish – is a Hawaiian staple. Poke bowls are essentially deconstructed sushi and may include rice or quinoa and vegetables.
Hybrid food
Although these may not be the healthiest of options, the flavor combinations of two or more foods are an experience to be had. Some popular examples include: cronuts (croissant meets donut), waffogato (ice-cream waffle soaked in espresso, and bruffins (brioche meets muffin).
Plant-based options
Vegan, vegetarian, pescaterian, flexitarian – the bottom line is restaurants are and will continue to offer more plant-based meals to meet diners’ demands.
Fermented food
Known for their probiotics and ability to positively influence digestive health, fermented foods like kombucha, sauerkraut, miso, tempeh, pickles, kefir, and yogurt pack a punch of flavor and health.
Natural colors and floral flavors
Consumers are demanding more ‘natural’ ingredients, and the food industry is responding with more ‘natural’ ways of coloring food (think beets). Edible flowers are also making a bigger splash on the scene as part of baked goods and cocktails.
Since these are just predictions, it will be interesting to see one year from now which trends caught on and which trends flopped. Cheers to a happy, healthy 2018.
Sources:
Unilever Food Solutions. 2018 Food Trend Predictions. https://www.unileverfoodsolutions.com.my/en/chef-inspiration/latest-trends/2018-food-trend-predictions.html