Have you ever wondered how food trends develop? A couple of decades ago no one knew what gluten was and the term “organic food” didn’t even exist. This is how globalization and technology have influenced our everyday life and today our kitchens are full of more foods and flavors than ever. And in 2015, we’ll see some really exciting green, healthy and technology driven food trends.
Brand development company Sterling-Rice Group has analyzed a massive amount of data – consumer behavior, demographic patterns, and other boring statistics, to eventually identify the new trends in culinary that will emerge in 2015. In fact, they are already here, but the forecast says they will explode over the next year in accordance with the evolving society, the consumer landscape and our desire for “joy, adventure and community”. Technology also plays a role in shaping food tendencies and what seemed like a science fiction several years ago, will soon be on our tables.
Coconut sugar
Sugar is now seen as one of the biggest enemies of health as more and more people are suffering from obesity and diabetes. Natural sweeteners with a low glycemic index such as the coconut sugar are the healthier choices and will become more available in the next year not only in diet food stores, but also at regular groceries.
Matcha
Coming from Japan, Matcha is the big hit in beverages. It’s made from crushed tea leaves and provides us with lots of antioxidants, beta carotenes, L-theanine, and energy. The best thing about it – it contains less caffeine than green tea, so next time you go to the coffee shop, order matcha instead of coffee. It’s healthy, energy-boosting and simply delicious!
Green and slimy superfood
Food scientists, environmentalists and even experts at the UN are now excited about something, called microalgae. This is a microscopic plant growing in freshwater, which produces around half of the oxygen we breathe. But microalgae species also produce unique products like antioxidants, carotenoids, fatty acids, enzymes, polymers, peptides, phytonutrients, fibre, and many more. And it’s believed to be capable of feeding the growing world population.
Lab-grown meat
Last year, Dutch scientists developed the first test-tube patty. The artificial meat was said to taste almost like natural beef, but unfortunately it required an investment of around $370,000 and two years to complete. However, scientists say we will be able to grow synthetic meat in our kitchens in 15 years. And in 2015, you will be able to order a lab-grown burger, but you probably won’t be able to afford it.
3D printed pizza
Why order pizza on the phone when you can print it on your own? Wait a minute – print a pizza? That’s right, or chocolate, or pasta, or whatever you like! 3D printers, capable of printing food, are already here. They use edible ink – dried powder or paste, made of actual food, so you’re not eating something artificial, it’s just prepared with different technology. And from next year, you’ll be able to buy a 3D food printer for your kitchen, but at retail price of around $1,000.
Some of these foods and trends are already here, others are still limited to laboratories, but they are all new and exciting. Local grains, spicier Asian food, herbal beers, and naturally misshapen fruits and vegetables are also coming in style. But the most important thing for trendy foods is that they are funky, crazy, healthy and of course, tasty and fun.
