A yearning for genuineness. A desire to cherish and preserve nature and the environment. An inclination to add some spice. Experts who predict food trends of 2024 say that these contemporary feelings influence what will appear on our plates and drinks.
A focus on international tastes
In 2024, you’ll be able to sample delicious new flavors from throughout the globe, even if you only go to your local eatery. Third-culture cuisine, or meals inspired by the varied backgrounds of chefs, is predicted to be one of the year’s major food trends of 2024. Contemplate bakeries owned by Filipinos and British, as well as waifu Italian restaurants that fuse the cultures of Italy and Japan.
According to Claire Lancaster, head of food and drink at trend forecasting firm WGSN, “it’s very much derived from social changes, globalization, and the meaning of identity today.” She points out that although in the past someone might have “slapped something random on a pizza” and called it fusion, nowadays, it requires more thought. “This new generation of chefs is producing goods that showcase their distinct, complex cultural identities.”
Additional Asian components
Asian ingredients and flavors are going to be popular. Matcha’s rise in popularity is expected to be followed by black sesame, ube, and milk tea, according to Denise Purcell, vice president of resource development at the Specialty Food Association, the trade organization that organizes the Fancy Food Show. “We’re seeing hot chocolate with ube and donuts filled with milk tea,” she explains. “I was just at this place where they had cookies with black sesame.” Purcell points out that the flavors are also becoming more prevalent in salty treats like black milk tea popcorn.
Asian fruits, including rambutan, pink guava, longan, mangosteen, and other varieties of dragon fruit, are expected to gain popularity, according to Andrea Xu, co-founder and CEO of Umamicart, an online grocery store specializing in Asian foods. Xu adds of dragon fruit, “If you choose the golden variety, it will be much sweeter and softer.” “There is a slight tanginess to the purple and white types. They create delicious smoothies.
The married chefs of the well-known Vietnamese eatery Sap Sua in Denver, Ni and Anna Nguyen, are enthusiastic about the rise of first-generation Asian chefs, broadening the scope of eating options. Many people are beginning to realize that the cuisines are different, according to Ni. What distinguishes Vietnamese cuisine from Filipino cuisine and vice versa? It is also placed in more than one category.
Moving in the direction of sustainability
Our shared goal to protect the environment is one of the undercurrents influencing current developments in food and drink. In unexpected ways, more businesses will prioritize sustainability in the upcoming months. For example, anticipate the emergence of alternative chocolates. Lancaster points out that the global need for cocoa has resulted in deforestation and that getting it is getting more complex and expensive. Although alternative chocolate is “made without cocoa,” she claims it tastes like regular chocolate. “A group of creatives are developing substitutes that melt, taste, and smell just like the original chocolate.”
Additional Time
Other businesses are developing products with reduced water footprints in response to droughts, high temperatures, and water scarcity. Waterless plant milks, for instance, are available as powders that you may combine with water at home. According to Lancaster, the industry is starting to realize that 90% of the product is wasted on shipping water. “It increases the cost of the product and emits a significant amount of CO2.” Some businesses produce popcorn, trail mix, and candies using drought-tolerant plants like prickly pear cactus.
Meanwhile, Lancaster predicts innovators will highlight lesser-known marine components as we learn more about their impact on climate change. These “create a really lovely, savory, umami depth of flavor, and they’re bringing it to a wider range of dishes,” such as fish roe and urchins.
Having fun with fungus
Chef and Turnip Vegan Recipe Club creator Todd Anderson becomes quite emotional when discussing mushrooms. He believes that by Food trends of 2024, more people will embrace fungi, with mushrooms emerging as a popular meat substitute. Anderson recently prepared roasted lion’s mane, a mushroom that grows on woody tree trunks, and mushroom meatballs.
He also likes maple sausage made from mushrooms, roast beef with mushrooms, and shiitake bacon. He claims that many mushrooms are simple to produce at home, especially for those who live in cities, and he anticipates that in Food trends of 2024, more people will be growing and experimenting with mushrooms.
Trends are vanishing quickly, maybe for the best.
- Molecular gastronomy: After COVID-19, fancy methods like foams and deconstruction are becoming less popular. While many are ready to spend a lot of money dining out, they genuinely desire quality. It’s astonishing to witness restaurants consistently filled throughout India, Europe, and the UK despite consumers’ desire for good value.
- Regardless of the amount per head—Rs 10,000 or Rs 1,000—they want to know what they are getting. There’s less space for experimenting these days, in my opinion, as customers want to understand precisely what’s on their plates.
- Wine pairing: Wine pairing is becoming less and less popular worldwide, not only in India. Reds go well with meat, but whites don’t always go well with fish. People do indeed drink wine, but only in the nations where wine consumption has long been customary.
- People continue to consume wine in nations like France, Spain, and so forth, but they don’t follow the gimmicky pairing technique. Once more, I saw that folks in Normandy last year preferred local beverages like cider, calvados, or whatever to wine. I believe that the wine phenomenon—I mean, I drink wine!—will mainly persist in nations where wine is a social beverage and in more established wine-drinking customs.
What makes food trends of 2024 significant?
1. Plant-Based Revolution
The plant-based movement continues to gain momentum, with an increasing number of people embracing vegetarian and vegan diets for health, environmental, and ethical reasons. In food trends of 2024, we can expect to see a surge in innovative plant-based alternatives that mimic the taste and texture of animal-derived products. From meatless burgers and dairy-free cheeses to plant-based seafood, the options for cruelty-free dining are becoming more diverse and delicious than ever before.
2. Hyper-Local Sourcing
As awareness of environmental sustainability grows, so does the demand for locally sourced ingredients. In food trends of 2024, expect to see restaurants and home cooks alike placing a greater emphasis on hyper-local sourcing, with menus featuring ingredients sourced from nearby farms, gardens, and artisanal producers. This trend not only reduces carbon footprint but also celebrates the unique flavors and culinary traditions of different regions.
3. Functional Foods
Functional foods, which offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition, are set to take center stage in 2024. From gut-friendly probiotics and immunity-boosting ingredients to mood-enhancing adaptogens, consumers are seeking out foods that support their overall well-being. Expect to see a rise in products fortified with vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive compounds designed to promote health and vitality.
In today’s interconnected world, culinary boundaries are increasingly blurred, giving rise to a vibrant fusion of flavors and techniques from around the globe. In food trends of 2024, expect to see a continuation of this trend, with chefs drawing inspiration from diverse culinary traditions to create exciting new dishes. From Japanese-inspired tacos to Indian-infused pizzas, the possibilities are endless when it comes to global fusion cuisine.
With food waste becoming a growing concern, chefs and home cooks are finding creative ways to minimize their environmental impact. In food trends of 2024, expect to see a rise in zero-waste cooking techniques, such as nose-to-tail butchery, root-to-stem vegetable cooking, and fermentation. By utilizing every part of the ingredient and embracing preservation methods, chefs are not only reducing waste but also unlocking new depths of flavor.
6. AI Food Imagery Dining Experiences
Advancements in artificial intelligence are revolutionizing the way we dine, offering personalized recommendations and tailored experiences. In food trends of 2024, expect to see more restaurants incorporating AI-driven technologies to enhance customer service, streamline operations, and optimize menus based on individual preferences and dietary restrictions. From smart ordering systems to AI-generated recipe suggestions, technology is shaping the future of dining in exciting new ways.
Food Trends of 2024 You Should Understand
Globally, consumer tastes constantly change to suit their needs, so food trends are continually shifting. New food trends emerge from a considerable shift in consumer purchasing patterns brought about by growing consumer awareness of food’s nutritional worth, safety, diversity, health, and sustainability.
Also Read: A Taste of India: Unique Indian Street Food Trends
