10 of the Most Popular Food Trends of 2017 (So Far)
We’re not yet halfway through 2017, and it’s already clear which popular food trends are taking the cake for the year thus far. Consumers continue to jump between extravagantly indulgent and lean and green foods. There are a few new ones that straddle both camps, as well as a couple trends that have rolled over from 2016. We’re highlighting 10 of the best food trends that showcase what people are craving in 2017 — or at least what they’re posting on social media.
1. Bowls
Bowls of all kinds have sustained their popularity in 2017, and now there are more options than ever. Grain bowls took off in 2016, and now acai bowls, poke bowls, breakfast bowls, and Buddha bowls are found everywhere, proving many consumers truly believe everything tastes better in a bowl. Luckily, the bowls are versatile and can be customized to fit every consumer’s needs. Whether you’re going for sweet, savory, healthy, or indulgent, this food trend can appeal to you.
2. Edible cookie dough
Speaking of indulgent, edible cookie dough has recently taken the food world by storm. Now you can enjoy cookie dough without any of the guilt — or fear of salmonella. Many recipes, food companies, and restaurants have popped up, showcasing how you can enjoy raw cookie dough egg-free. Even if a shop doesn’t open in a city near you, you can make edible cookie dough at home via one of the many recipes circulating the internet.
3. Unicorn everything
If you’ve had your eye on the latest Starbucks drinks, you’ve likely noticed a trend when it comes to color in 2017. “Unicorn food” is what you call a food item that has layers of pastel colors and accessories. It includes toast, cake, drinks, doughnuts, pancakes, and more.
Consumers are saying these colors are making food fun again. And now you can easily join in on the fun by making your own unicorn food or by buying the colorful food items at various shops and restaurants. Starbucks might be the easiest place to get your unicorn food fix, as its Unicorn Frappuccino has become a social media sensation. But it’s up to you to decide whether unicorn food tastes as good as it looks.
4. Alternative pasta
Consumers are still searching for alternatives to traditional pasta in 2017, and now they have a few more options. Vegetable noodles are still around, but so are alternative grain noodles made from quinoa, lentils, chickpeas, and beans. People like these alternative because they have fewer carbs and are gluten-free.
Not only are they available in traditional forms, such as penne and linguine, you can even find lasagna sheets made from beans and lentils. Innovative pasta doesn’t seem like it’s going away anytime soon.
5. Turmeric
If you’ve noticed a rise in foods and beverages boasting a fine yellow powder in their ingredients list, you’ve recognized a popular ongoing trend for 2017. Fresh turmeric root is all the rage, and people are praising the ground spice for its ability to reduce inflammation, clear skin, help lower cholesterol, and potentially boost one’s cognitive ability.
Fortunately, turmeric is also a welcomed addition to many drinks and foods. Its savory flavor works with eggs, vegetables, rice, soups, smoothies, teas, and milks. So far, the golden milk latte is one of the most popular drinks in 2017, and people continue to sing the praises of turmeric.
6. Drinkable boozy desserts
No matter how healthy some of the 2017 food trends prove to be, other fads prove consumers are still willing to indulge. If the popularity of drinkable boozy desserts confirms anything, it’s that people are not only still eating desserts, but they’re drinking them, too.
Boozy dessert beverages are showing up on menus at restaurants across the ｃountry, and chefs are becoming more innovative about their offerings. The key to the popular drinkable desserts is they are fresh, boozy, and visually appealing. And it’s even better if they are creative twists on childhood classics.
7. Fermented foods
Taking a sharp turn away from the sugar, we come to another food trend for 2017: fermented foods. Fermented foods have become a top health food trend in recent years, but now they’re becoming more mainstream. Some fermented foods, including sauerkraut and pickles, have been eaten for years. Others, such as kimchi, kefir, and kombucha, are enjoying newfound popularity.
Fermented foods are praised for many reasons, especially for their ability to improve digestive health. And now everyone can get their hands on them to better test this theory and decide whether the sauerkraut we’ve been eating for years is actually healthier than we thought.
8. Poke
Fresh, raw seafood is gaining in popularity in 2017, and now you don’t have to rely on sushi to get your raw food fix. Poke, the Hawaiian specialty, is a casual spin on raw seafood. And it’s now found across the ｃountry, whereas before you could only access it in Hawaii or the West Coast. It’s usually served with salt, seasonings, and over rice, making it a healthy and casual meal everyone can enjoy.
9. Grass-fed, humanely sourced meat, fish, and eggs
These products not only taste better, but they’re healthier for you, too. The drive for grass-fed, humanely sourced meat products is a step in the right direction for the food industry, but the price points of these products will have to come down in order for everyone to get on board.
10. Alternatives to olive oil
People no longer fear fat, and low-fat foods are dying in popularity. However, consumers are still conscious about the fats they are putting into their bodies. And the traditional cooking oils — olive oil, canola oil, and vegetable oil — are no longer enjoying everyone’s sole attention.
Oil alternatives, such as avocado oil, coconut oil, and hemp oil, are gaining in popularity. And they’re becoming more affordable and accessible. They each have their own uses and health benefits. Olive oil, canola oil, and vegetable oil aren’t going away anytime soon. But oil alternatives are here to stay, and they’re likely to become even more mainstream.
Article Source: http://www.cheatsheet.com/culture/most-popular-food-trends-2017.html/?a=viewall
Image Source: http://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Homemade-Quinoa-Tofu-Bowl.jpg?x24346
VOCABULARY WORDS:
1. Versatile (adj.) ~ able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities
2. Pastel (n.) ~ a soft and delicate shade of a color
3. Innovative (adj.) ~ (of a product, idea, etc.) featuring new methods advanced and original
4. Fad (n.) ~ an intense and widely shared enthusiasm for something, especially one that is short-lived and without basis in the object's qualities a craze
5. On board (idiom) ~ supporting something
6. Mainstream (n.) ~ the ideas, attitudes, or activities that are regarded as normal or conventional the dominant trend in opinion, fashion, or the arts
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. What is the latest food trend in your ｃountry?
2. Are you conscious about the oil that you use for cooking and the sources for your meat and poultry products. Discuss your answer.
3. Which of the trends above have you noticed in your ｃountry? Which one would you like to try?
4. Since fermented food such as kimchee is becoming more popular around the world, how do you feel about the globalization of your traditional food?
