2020 was … quite a year, to put it mildly. But, amidst all of the chaos, there were some moments of brilliance. Here is a list of our favorites!
1. Reduced Wastage
An enforced lockdown has led to consumers being more aware of what is in their pantry and how to maximize resources. This has led to increased consciousness of the environmental consequences in tandem with the expense.
A comprehensive ‘no waste’ approach has come to the fore, particularly in commercial kitchens called tail to snout cooking.
We love how seasonal daily menus are gradually replacing larger menus allowing restaurants to adapt to price changes and availability.
2. Fermentation All the Way
Research shows the global market for probiotics will be valued at USD57.2 billion by 2022. If you didn’t already know of kombucha or kefir, chances are you might have come across them on social media over the last year.
Sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, miso, and tempeh are some of the fermented food trends that have been steadily rising in popularity. While recipes and tutorials are abundant, homegrown brands and grocers are also starting to sell these in small, freshly-made batches.
This is a favorite because of how people are actively learning about probiotics, its gut connection, and applying it in their cooking. This has led to a slew of people fermenting stuff at home.
Have you tried kimchi yet?
3. Going Back to the Roots
Having been forced into social isolation, people are hungry for nostalgia. This has led to an increase in demand for flavors and tastes reminiscent of life when things were better, particularly those associated with the comfort of childhood.
We believe this will be channeled into finding new food ingredients, novel cooking techniques, or achieving a semblance of balance. Restaurants will evolve to fill this gap with excellent food and authentic hospitality, providing the required connection during these extraordinary times.
Must Read: Food Trend Predictions 2022
4. Mindful and Seasonal Nutrition
2020 and 2021 have been tumultuous and have caused disruption of routines, particularly those associated with eating. We believe this disruption will increase the focus on mindful nutrition and slow cooking.
The diet culture is eventually going to be left in the dust for mindful eating. Instead of fearing sustainable carbohydrates, healthy eating habits will be built gradually. We foresee snacking growing more.
The growing interest and enjoyment in eating fresh seasonal produce is leading to novel recipes and we are here for what is cooking.
5. Homemade Pasta
With limited access to fresh bread, people turned to making it at home. My sourdough starter, Artemis, is going strong. The idea of homemade pasta is incredibly exciting. This has been developing over the last few months with people taking the time and effort to make amazing gnocchi from scratch and watch their ravioli float. It is interesting how the pasta is being created to suit various dietary and flavor preferences.
Time to bust out (or buy) the KitchenAid.
Must Read: Food Trend Predictions 2021
The Best New Food Products in 2021
Food product innovation is currently happening around self-care, disease prevention, and celebrating special occasions.
Plant-based Dairy
The plant-based dairy industry is expected to grow to US$5.2 billion by 2024. With cyclical innovation across spreads, dips, sour cream, sauces, and cheeses this is not surprising.
However, plant-based marketers need to innovate and close the nutrient parity gap in addition to offering cooking instructions and nutritional information.
For instance, Ener-G’s Egg Replacer is well-marketed for home baking.
We believe innovation is consistently happening. The pandemic brought about increased awareness about allergies and dietary preferences. We foresee the food and beverage trends breaking new ground constantly this coming year as brands try to cater to different demographics while maintaining quality and health.
Alternate Carb and Protein Sources
Consumers today are seeking alternative food and beverage formulations specific to their preferences: to eliminate allergens and/or additives, reduce calories etc. For instance, Scotty’s Everyday Keto Bread Mix and Pizza Dough Mix are gluten free, contain zero net carbs, and have no nut flour leading them to the bestseller list on Amazon. Sales of alternative meats and poultry are projected to grow to US$2.0 billion by 2024.
That’s it launched fruit bars that are non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, and free from the top 12 food allergens.
December 2020 saw the sales of foods with a low-carbohydrate positioning reaching $136.9 million. With a growing vegan and vegetarian population, demand for products has been steadily increasing. Increasing demand led to various brands responding in novel ways. Nature’s Path Grain Free Hot Cereal is paleo friendly.
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