Summer is here, and it’s time for outdoor barbecues, vacations, and get-togethers. Our friends over at Eating Well compiled some data, and as a result, have predicted the following 10 food trends to look out for in the food and beverage realm this season:
Passion Fruit
Passion fruit lends a tart, tropical flavor to everything it touches, making it ideal for the summer season. In April, EatingWell.com reported having views of articles and recipes related to passion fruit to have grown 1,469% on its site compared to last year.
Cucumber Everything
Cucumbers are known for being a refreshing summer staple. Not only can they be found almost anywhere, but they are relatively inexpensive and offer a surprising amount of health benefits.
Baby Bok Choy
According to EatingWell.com, interest in Baby Bok Choy grew 176% compared to last year. This is probably because it’s a simple, no-fuss side to make, and it’s loaded with nutrients.
Matcha
Matcha, a finely milled green tea powder, is everything these days. Popularly used as a beverage, it’s known for its distinct bright green color. According to EatingWell.com, interest in matcha grew 376% compared to the previous year.
Lavender
Lavender is known for its calming, soothing properties and has recently been incorporated more and more into menu items. From cheesecake, lemonade, to cocktails, lavender-infused drinks and desserts are now rising in popularity. In fact, interest in lavender grew 514% on EatingWell.com when compared to last year.
Hibiscus
Widely available in many countries in the form of an herbal tea and an ingredient to cook with, hibiscus lends a tart, floral flavor and gorgeous crimson color to beverages and dishes like tacos. But it’s not only delicious, hibiscus has health benefits, too, such as anthocyanins and other antioxidants that may help to lower blood pressure.
Ice Cream, Reinvented
It isn’t really summer if ice cream isn’t involved! This year we’re seeing ice cream flavors taken to a whole, new level. Think Mango Sticky Rice and Everything Bagel Seasoning. According to EatingWell.com, traffic on ice cream sandwich recipes, alone, grew 136% since last year. Additionally, plant-based ice cream is seeing an increased demand, with this trend making it into the freezer aisle, as well as to ice cream shops.
Edamame
Soybeans are an affordable and heart- and brain-healthy food. According to EatingWell.com, interest in article and recipes related to edamame jumped 141% since April 2022, and it is believed that this trend will keep going as consumers search for plant-based protein alternatives.
Canned Cocktails
Expect canned cocktails to become the next popular drink trend. More and more distilleries and spirit companies are releasing their own canned cocktails, which mean better quality and more variety.
Low-ABV and Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Since the start of the pandemic, people appear to be drinking less alcohol, with an increase in those being “sober-curious.” According to EatingWell.com, interest in mocktails and nonalcoholic beverage recipes grew 40% and 41% respectively.
Happy summer eating!
