Food Trends of 2021

Food Fashion

Every year about this time, I scour the Internet to determine the food trends for the year. Pantone has given us the colors of the year: Ultimate Gray and Illuminating Yellow.  In COVID country, masks will remain chic, especially those that coordinate with our outfits. But what can we expect in food fashion?

Fortunately, there are Food Trendologist, who ponder such things. (Really, there are.) Let’s take a look at what these prognosticator are predicting in a COVID and climate-challenged world.

1. Chickpea-based ice cream and cakes will be more available for those who want to indulge, but lightly.
2. The Climaterian diet (one with low impact on the environment) will incline us more to grains, legumes, fish, algae, and seaweed.
3. Locally grown and seasonal foods will be high in demand.
4. Beverage makers will offer more low calorie and low alcohol drinks. Think Bud Light Lemonade and Cutwater’s Vodka with its 5% alcohol content.
5. Ghost kitchens and virtual kitchens will prepare food from an existing brick and mortar location or food truck. Ordering is done on line and delivered through a third-party service.
6. Breakfast has returned. With more people working from home, cereal sales have soared.
7. Look for new food match ups: strawberry milk, oat milk, peanut butter milk, pancake cereal.
8. Gardening, canning and pickling will continue to boom. Last year Mason jars were in hot demand. That’s expected to continue.
9. Virtual cooking classes. Expect to receive more invites to Zoom classes offered by famous chefs or restaurants all getting into the home cooking craze.
10. Meal kit delivery that offers a variety of dietary options. Look for more take and bake meal kits, that offer pre-assembled meals, that only need cooking.
11. Birthday cakes and the traditional candle blowing will give way to individual portions such as cupcakes.
12. A return to comfort food with families preparing more homemade breads, soups, and dishes they miss from their favorite restaurants.
    

    My friend Kelsey sent me this photo. Her family missed eating at their favorite Asian restaurant, so she made her own sushi, tempura, and shrimp spring rolls at home. Looks pretty tasty!

13. Nutritional interest will cause consumers to read labels more closely. Buyers will  search for more immune-boasting and vitamin-enriched foods and beverages.
14. Bored, but adventurous home cooks, will experiment more with flavorful spices.
15. Converted shipping containers, ski gondolas, and yurts will be converted into safe dining bubbles.
16. Healthier snacks, such as almonds, will find more favor, as will treats that contain plant-based protein.
17. The creative use of tortillas will gain speed. Besides beef, cheddar, lettuce, and tomatoes, tortillas can hold pulled pork, chicken, fish, cauliflower, and other vegetables.

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