Just like fashion, decor & fitness, the world of food & drinks experience new fads & trends all the time. Some come & go quickly, while others linger a bit longer. Gin (in all kinds of forms) & black food (still one of my favourites) are still on trend, whereas unicorn coloured food, cronuts & extravagant milkshakes had less longevity. But no matter how fleeting, it’s still super fun to look at.
Here are my picks of the most interesting, weird & wonderful Food & Drinks Trends of 2019 From Around the World:
1.The Vegan Rush is here to stay
Veganism is largely embraced by GenZ (aka Generation Z aka those born between 1995 & 2009) explains trend analyst Dion Chang of Flux Trends.
We are also seeing more & more veganist activism & sub-trends. Keto diets have taken a back seat & make way for ‘Peganism’ – a cross between a vegan & paleo diet.
Veganism is becoming more mainstream with food companies introducing more vegan ready meals, vegan protein & other plant-based options to the market. And have you noticed that more & more local restaurants are introducing vegan menus?
In the UK alone, veganism has risen by 350% over the last 10 years with 42% of vegans being between the age of 15- 34 (source: Vegan Society). According to Mintel, consumer spending is expected to rise within the next 10 years as the demand for plant-based protein grows.
An extreme sub-trend of veganism is Vegan anti-natalists who believe that because humans are so vile & destructive, people should not have babies.
2. Insect Protein
Many South Africans will argue that insect protein (hello Mopanie worms) is nothing new & have been one of our favourite delicacies for years, but watch out: you might be getting some crickets, worms or other insect protein on fabulous Michelin star restaurant menus soon.
3. Cheese Tea
Think of something that looks like a beer. Essentially it is “Green or black tea that you sip through a cap of cream cheese blended with cream or condensed milk.” It can be salty or sweet. Originally from Taiwan, Cheese Tea is China’s latest tea craze.
And apparently, Taiwanese fans of cheesy tea are quite happy to queue for two hours to get their fix. It is also becoming super popular in the US, but will we be seeing it in sunny SA?
Also, don’t forget the wordplay & pun fun you can have here… A cheesy teasy, anyone? Or is it a cup-a-tea-no?
4. Less Known Greens & Gut-Friendly Food
Kale is basically over. Dankie tog.
But brace yourself for other types of greens & lettuce – especially those that you don’t recognise. “We are looking at vegetables that contain the most protein such as spinach & Brussel sprouts. Cabbage is a staple in so many countries – think of dishes such as sauerkraut (German), kimchi (Korea), knieperkohl (Germany), bubble & squeak (the UK) & many more,” says executive Chef Amori Burger of local Jozi restaurant Van der Linde Restaurant.
Gut-friendly, fermented food & beverages are here to stay as consumers are focusing more than ever on following a healthy diet & focus on gut health. Smart foods, probiotics & ancient grains are becoming part of our daily menu too.
“Many restaurants are already playing around with [the fermentation trend] but I think it will blow up this year (pun not intended!),” says Chef Amori. Expect to see more kombucha in supermarkets, kefir in your smoothie & Sauerkraut on your plate.
5. Tequila & Agave-based spirits
Many of us still enjoy our wine & beer, but CNBC recently reported that people are increasingly trading beer & wine for premium spirits. Tequila & other agave-based spirits are on everyone’s lips – quite literally. Sam Dengremond explains the difference between tequila & mezcal.
Celebrities are also buying into this trend; George Clooney & Chris Norh (Mr Big in Sex & the City) each have their own line of agave-spirits.
Watch out for special mixers that are being developed to drink with your tequila. Does this mean tequila is the new gin? We’ll have to wait & see.
6. Marijuana In Food
It seems like cannabis is everywhere – in beauty products, in the gardens of many & also now more frequently in food. I’m not talking about those illegal space cakes that you ate as a teenager. We’re talking real food & drinks…. A report by Arcview Market Research & BDS Analytics predicted cannabis-based food & drinks are set to surpass sales of more than US$4 billion in North America by 2022.
In 2019 recreational use was legalised right here in South Africa, in Canada & in Uruguay, which prompted drinks industry giants to invest in this sector. Luxembourg could become the first country in the EU to decriminalise the drug.
The drug’s use in spirits has also already been gaining traction & soon you might see gin distilled with cannabis oils…
7. Mushrooms
Mushrooms have no real nutritional or health value, right? Wrong. Research has shown that mushrooms are packed with fiber, vitamins, protein & the delicious umami flavour. 100g of mushrooms has more fiber than a slice of whole wheat bread. It is low in fat, cholesterol & sodium.
Follow Denny Mushrooms & the South African Mushroom Farmers Association on Instagram for more recipes, facts & ideas on mushrooms.
8. Dry Bars & Teetotalism
When I hear the term Dry Bar I immediately think of a place to have a hair wash & blow-dry. But this is not the kind of Dry Bar we’re referring too. We’re talking about bars that serve non-alcoholic drinks. Where previously only pregnant ladies & sissies had mocktails, 2019 is the year of the no-alcohol & low alcohol trend. Binge drinking is getting the boot. Booze cruises are being replaced by juice cruises. According to The Spirits Business “drinkers are taking a more considered approach to their alcohol consumption,” with Millennials & Gen Z leading the way.
The UK’s Office for National Statistics revealed that there has been a “significant” fall in alcohol consumption amongst the 16-24 age group over the last ten years. Refreshing right? The percentage of young people (worldwide) who do not drink any alcohol at all has risen by 32%.
What do you think friends? Will you be embracing any of these trends?
Yolandi ♥
Sources: Flux Trends, BBC Good Food, Eater.com, Michelin Guide, The Spirits Business