Let’s continue with the anticipated food trends for 2022.
Chewy Food
In Asia, chewy foods that require strong jaw muscles are revered, and the texture is starting to make its way into American cuisine due to the cultural influence of social media.
Aside from boba, the concept of chewy food has also expanded to include rice cakes, ice cream, and tteokbokki. My Mochi ice cream is a small but oh-so-delicious treat that’s made from ice cream and peanut butter. It’s the most popular novelty food in the US.
Coffee Alternatives
Due to the weather conditions and rising temperatures, the coffee harvests have been affected. The price of coffee has also increased due to the limited supply.
Alt coffee is also an increasing trend. There are also single-serve tea bags that are caffeine-free. These products are very similar to traditional coffee.
A golden milk drink is also becoming a new favorite. This drink is made with milk and spices, and it’s usually served hot.
Allergy-Friendly Foods
In the US, there are around 32 million people with food allergies. It has been estimated that one in thirteen kids have at least one food allergy. Since there are few safe options in the grocery store, parents are more likely to create their kids’ food.
There are also individuals who make it themselves by creating products that are 100% allergen-free. Christine Allen started Mo’Pweeze after she couldn’t find anything that was suitable for her kids with food allergies.
Partake Foods is an online store that sells allergy-friendly mixes and cookies. There are also apps that help consumers find establishments that offer allergen-free products.
The number of people with food allergies has increased significantly. This is also evidenced by the number of user comments on allergy-friendly food blogs.
Eating to support mental health
In the past two years, 48% of Americans have focused on improving their mental and emotional health. If so, then it’s time to start consuming more functional food and drinks.
From energy drinks to detox and recovery aids, there’s a whole slew of products that promise to improve your health. Take a look at these products and accept that a new healthy ritual is just a part of a whole wellness puzzle.
Giada De Laurentiis, a celebrity French television personality, has also launched a new show called Simply Giada, which is inspired by her book “Eat Better, Feel Better.”
Indigenous restaurants
This list is mainly comprised of individuals who are teaching us that food is important. Many of them are Native and Indigenous activists, chefs, and makers. This list is also for those who are underrepresented and have a hard time accessing foodways who have therefore fought for food sovereignty.
Expect to see more people interested in the food that Native and Indigenous chefs are cooking. We especially admire Crystal Wahpepah, who is the first Native American to compete on “Chopped.”
She has created seasonal menus that feature dishes made from local corn and buffalo. Another noteworthy example is Sean Sherman, the creator of The Sioux Chef, a modern Native American restaurant in Minneapolis.
You won’t find traditional colonial ingredients on menus at many establishments. Instead, you’ll find dishes made with indigenous-produced ingredients.
Ice Cream Snacks
The disruption of working and home life has caused us to eat differently. Since we’re now focused on consuming more than just food, we’re also consuming frozen dessert bars as a snack.
Instead of being served ice cream, frozen treats are becoming more prevalent. These are low-calorie, individually wrapped, hand-held ice creams that are usually less than 500 calories.