With the popularity of social media apps like TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, throughout this year I’ve seen the emergence of unique, eccentric, and tasty food trends that reflect cultural shifts and evolving consumer preferences in our current society. Here are just a few that I believe have shaped and will continue to shape the food culture of today.
One of my favorite things about urban farms is that they provide access to healthy and nutritious foods in urban areas and allow for community transformation and cohesion. They have become incredibly popular this year and can improve soil and air quality while increasing biodiversity. Urban farming is also beneficial for the environment as many urban farming techniques like vertical farming and hydroponics use up to 95% less water than traditional farming methods.
Eggs are one of the most widely used foods in the world; however, many brands are beginning to sell eggs but without the egg component. Vegan eggs are a great example of this. Between 2022 and2027, the global vegan egg market is expected to grow by $910.56 million USD! Lots of vegan egg brands utilize ingredients like tofu, mung beans, and nutritional yeast to craft a tasty and vegan egg with a similar taste and texture to the real thing.
Frozen yogurt bark has emerged as a popular tasty treat this year. Making it is incredibly easy considering that it only requires yogurt and sweeteners like fruits and nuts that are then frozen! Frozen yogurt also has a lot of good bacteria which is good for gut health and lowering blood pressure. Adding cocoa can also add a chocolatey flavor to the frozen bark! Here is a recipe for frozen yogurt bark that I love that can be made dairy-free as well.
With the popularity of plant-based meats like the Impossible Burger and Beyond Meat, a new market demand has emerged. As plant-based fish brands get more creative with the textures & flavors of these vegan meats, we can expect to see the emergence of more plant-based alternatives like these.
Buckwheat is a protein packed and fiber rich whole grain food that is versatile and tasty. In this upcoming year, I wouldn’t be surprised to see people hopping on the buckwheat wave next year as they chow down on buckwheat pancakes to noodles. A lot of the nutritious properties of buckwheat also can help fight cancer or heart disease and support brain function and digestive health.
Mushrooms are my favorite vegetable because of how versatile they are, specifically as a meat-free alternative for different dishes because of their high protein content. Next year I expect to see an increase in the use of mushrooms throughout the vegan food industry and in coffee and energy drinks because of their antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. In terms of mushroom coffee, I like the brand Renude Chagaccino because of the taste and because it comes in packet form which is great for traveling. Mushrooms in general are also very versatile and can also come in a variety of different forms from mushroom jerky, mushroom powder, to mushroom soup.
All these food items highlight the way in which food trends have the power to facilitate creativity and innovation and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
April is Filipino Food Month, so what better way to celebrate than to chat about the delicious food? Filipino cuisine has a rich history that many other countries and ancient cities have influenced over the years. The evolution of this cuisine's cooking techniques and flavors has made it an absolute fan favorite!
Did you know that 80 million tons of food are wasted in the United States per year? This equates to 149 billion meals and 444 billion dollars’ worth of food annually! Shocking, isn’t it? What exactly is food waste, and how can we help improve some of these staggering statistics?
