Food trends have shifted pretty dramatically in the last few years, thanks to the pandemic and people spending much more of their time at home. We have mostly moved on from the initial rush of everyone baking their own bread or working out what weird things in the pantry will work together in a pinch. For 2022, a lot of plant-based trends are leading the way with alternatives to various types of meat, as well as staples like milk and butter.
Food Trends in 2022
One food trend in 2022 is the greatly increased use of the hibiscus flower. Hibiscus is high in vitamin C, and grows on almost all continents. Get ready for Hibiscus-flavoured yoghurts, sodas, fruit spreads and tea.
On the topic of tea, herbal tea is a rapidly growing market as people concentrate on their health. Herbal teas are being used for a range of reasons, from treating anxiety and stress, to improving sleep and boosting immune systems. Keep an eye out for even more herbal tea drinks this year as chamomile, yellow tea, and more pop up in stores and restaurants.
Moringa has been making big strides and this isn’t stopping any time soon. This superfood is great for fighting malnutrition and is being used in everything from grain blends to desserts. Moringa has seven times more vitamin C than an orange, and 15 times more potassium than a banana. Talk about a health boost!
Plant-based alternatives keep on trending into 2022. With Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat leading the way with meat-like alternatives, we are starting to see alternatives to salmon and tuna, and there is even a mushroom that does a pretty good job of passing as bacon. This means the vegetarian diet keeps on getting more exciting, with more options for people who are used to eating meat but are looking for a change.
It isn’t just meat that plants are offering great alternatives. Potato milk just reared its head late last year, offering an alternative to dairy. Compared to other nondairy products, potato milk is twice as land efficient as growing oats and uses 56 times less water than almonds. Potato milk’s climate footprint is 75% lower than cow’s milk and has no allergens. Sounds like something to watch out for once it breaks out of the UK and Sweden and heads this way!
If potato milk didn’t sound strange enough, then wait until you hear about sunflower butter! Ben & Jerry’s released four non-dairy flavours, all made with sunflower seed butter: Creme Brulée Cookie, Change The Whirled, “Milk” & Cookies, and Mint Chocolate Cookie, and more flavours are on the way.
Reducetarianism is one of the biggest food trends of 2022, with more people trying to reduce their meat and animal product consumption. There has also been a big drive for quality meats. More consumers are demanding quality over quantity when it comes to meat, dairy and eggs, with a keen eye for animal wellness and environmental impact.
It isn’t just consumers that are making changes. Many restaurants have trimmed their menus, preferring to offer better quality food from a smaller selection. Expect to see this trend continue until supply chain issues disappear, and possibly beyond that as people enjoy the improved quality of a small selection done really well, instead of an average experience across a wide range of styles.
It looks like food trends in 2022 will make for an exciting year, with multiple options for a boost of vitamin C and brand new meal options for vegetarians.