2020 is the start of the new decade and although the last added plenty of new vocabulary such as cronut and bubble waffle this new one promises to add even more. We are all looking forward to the new food trends that this year will bring along. Since the year has just started we want to share some of the predictions made by food specialists, both in the consumer and producer markets, of what we can expect to see trending this 2020. Everything from new flavors, mixes and matches and all that the wonderful world of Food and Beverage has to offer.
Souffle pancakes
This sweet and fun dessert treat is a Japanese invention that has now been duplicated all over the world. You can now find it in NYC, LA, and other major cities through Asia and Europe. This take on fluffy pancakes has grasped major popularity in major dessert menus as well as at home baking. Many new recipes continue to arise which add small twists. But whether you eat them with maple, whipped cream, fresh strawberries or plain get ready they are truly delicious. Most people that enjoy them say that despite being sweet they are light and not incredibly filling so they are perfect to eat alone or after a heavy meal.
Many More Milk Alternatives
Although that might sound like a tongue twister the rise in milk alternatives has really taken off in the last couple of years. In earlier years the major source of milk was animal but with the constant health discoveries and food intolerances, other alternatives joined the mix. Everything from soy, almond, coconut, rice and oat milk exists today and this 2020 we can expect the array to expand. Alternatives containing higher percentages of protein, that are high in nutrients and minerals continue to be the goal since due to allergies a lot of key nutrients have been sacrificed in already existing options.
Alcoholic Kombucha
A beverage that has been around for over 2,000 years has truly taken off in recent decades due to its health benefits. Kombucha is simply fermented tea which contains a substantial amount of beneficial bacteria and probiotics with a bubbly and tangy taste. As healthier drinking options arise the idea of hard kombucha with an alcohol level of up to 8% ABV is a rising star in the market. Recently boutique bars, mixologists, breweries, etc. have started to incorporate kombucha to their drinks. Adding natural ingredients and reducing sugar while still making a delicious and strong drink for those who fancy it.
Dessert Hummus
Dessert can also be healthy! Due to chickpeas having high protein levels hummus is a great alternative to incorporate in dessert menus. As commonly eaten with pita bread or salty alternatives the chickpeas base can actually be mixed with numerous ingredients. More restaurants have decided to diversify their dessert menu to other rather healthier yet sweet options. Some current dessert hummus flavors include peanut butter, snickerdoodle, and cookie dough. 2020 promises to continue expanding to an array of flavors.
Meat Blends
The plant-based craze is here to stay! The constant strive to find meat replacement has given birth to many new alternatives. From veggie patties to lean meats such as turkey instead of beef, the meat market continues to expand the choice availability. Recent efforts for more “meat-like” products have grasped interest as plant-based patties and meats that look, feel and taste like meat without actually having any in it grow in popularity. The vegan population, although worldwide remains low the overall growth in the United States in the last 10 years, has been of 350% while in the UK in just the last 5 has been of about 300%. We are curious to see where this takes us.
Ube
The new purple yam that has everyone flipping out. Some mention that acai has had its run and now its Ube that is taking over the purple market. Ube has been part of Filipino tradition and cooking for a long time but due to its unique color and taste many new dishes including marble cakes, ice creams and pies continue to blossom. Be sure not to confuse Ube with Taro as they are completely different foods, although both denote that purple color Ube is mostly used for sweet treats rather than savory cooking.
More Cauliflower
Although cauliflower has become a habitual food among Millennials it has become popular for being a “healthy carb”. Fancy and street food restaurants alike continue to serve full cauliflower heads as appetizers and remain as one of the most popular orders. In 2020, we can expect new and creative uses for cauliflower such as pizza crust, noodles, mac and cheese, even lasagna and more. Chefs continue to make significant strides while coming up with new creations using the little white trees.
There you have it some new and continued food trends that we can expect to take flight this 2020.