Every year, food trends change. There are many influences on food trends, including the availability of ingredients, celebrity chefs, health advice, travel, and the media. As the trends change, it impacts on the food we cook at home, the availability of ingredients or dishes, and menus in restaurants. Here are some of the biggest food trends for 2020.
15 Food Trends for 2020
The following are some of the food trends to watch out for (and enjoy) for the rest of the year and beyond.
1. The Biggest of the Food Trends for 2020: Plant-Based Foods
So, plant-based foods are hardly a new thing as vegans and vegetarians have been around forever. However, it is a trend that is continuing to grow.
This growth is in part because there are a growing number of people following a vegan lifestyle. Similarly, an increasing number of celebrities are vegan. These are influential people as the public wants to emulate their lifestyles.
It is also because people are becoming increasingly aware of the health benefits of reducing the amount of red meat. Many people now have some days of the week when they eat only plant-based foods. The #MeatlessMondays that are popular in many countries across the globe have contributed to this trend.
Once, menus in restaurants would offer a single vegetarian meal, and the concept of vegan food at a burger stand was unknown. Now, it does not matter if you are eating at a fine dining restaurant or buying a snack from a food stall; you will find a variety of plant-based options.
The ready meal industry also reflects this trend. Food manufacturers have widened the variety of plant-based meal options they offer. Some companies specialize in creating only plant-based food.
2. Flexitarianism and Reucatarianism
More people are deciding to reduce their intake of fish and meat they eat. For many people, this is because of the health benefits of a plant-based diet. For others, it is the lower cost of meals that do not contain meat and fish, which are more expensive than vegetables.
Flexitarianism is when someone follows a predominantly plant-based diet but allows them the occasional treat of meat or fish. Reducatarianism is when a person simply reduces the amount of meat and fish they eat by allocating a couple of days a week when only plant-based foods are allowed.
The benefit of following these diets is that people can save money and improve their health, while also occasionally enjoying the foods they love. Some people are simply not prepared to completely cut meat, fish, and dairy products from their diet.
3. Dairy Alternatives
According to Food Dive, the trend for dairy alternatives began as a way to address allergen issues. Those who suffer from milk allergies or lactose intolerance needed a variety of other options on the shelf. It was also a way of offering vegans something that tastes like dairy but not an animal product.
Soy, oat, coconut, and almond milk and dairy replacement products have been around for some time. Now, there are even more varieties of dairy alternatives available. One of the latest offerings is hemp milk and dairy replacement products. Another new addition to the market is pea protein.
Experts in the food industry expect that this trend will continue to grow and diversify as more people are looking for plant-based alternatives to dairy products.
4. Functional Health
In the past, consumers have chosen their food based on their taste, texture, smell, appearance, and even the price. Now, people are thinking more carefully about their diet in terms of health and nutrition, leading to consumers choosing foods based on their function.
For example, people are choosing foods that are high in fibre or that contain probiotics. They also balance the ingredients they use based on the vitamins they contain. The food industry has responded to this trend by creating prepared meals or products that contain added vitamins, fibre, probiotics, and minerals.
5. Foods for Digestive Health
Of all the functional food products, the one that is generating the most significant buzz is foods for digestive health. It is a trend that has gradually grown in recent years, and it looks like the trend will continue.
Foods containing probiotics are the biggest sub-trend within the trend for functional foods that support digestive health. There is a vast array of food and drinks on the market containing probiotics, including shakes, yoghurts, and healthy snack bars.
6. Food Trends Following Lifestyle Trends: Environmentally Friendly Packaging
People are becoming more environmentally aware, and an increasing number of people want to do their bit for the planet. Food manufacturers are becoming increasingly aware of this trend, and their choice of packaging reflects this.
Many companies have reduced their use of plastics that will not decompose in landfills. In addition to using less ono-recyclable products, food companies are using more recycled products in their packaging.
Furthermore, there is a move towards reusable items in take-outs and restaurants. For example, some coffee shops are now encouraging people to pay a little more on their first purchase to get a reusable cup that they can reuse on future visits. These measures reduce the food industry’s contribution to overfilling the landfills.
7. CBD in Food
A trend for health products containing cannabidiol, also known as CBD, has been around for a few years. Now, the trend has also spread to the food industry.
Cannabidiol is one of the active ingredients that is derived from the hemp plant. It is predominantly used in the health industry as a natural form of pain relief, although there is some evidence that it can benefit a variety of health conditions.
Last year, CBD entered the food and beverage industries. Now there is a fight between companies to make themselves the leading manufacturer of food and drink products containing CBD. Just some of the food and drink available include ice cream, gin, and hummus.
However, the use of CBD in food remains a controversial issue in some countries, and there are even differences in regulations in different areas of the same country.
8. Cured Meats and Seafood
Cured meats are popular in many cuisines across the globe, but the types of cured meats people are trying is diversifying. Italian cured meats have long been a popular option. However, one of the biggest food trends for 2020 is biltong, says Delish.
Biltong is a dried, cured meat that originates from South Africa. It is similar to jerky, but it is hung to air-dry naturally. It is a healthier option than jerky because it contains no sugar and is suitable for people following the keto or paleo diets.
Cured seafood is also becoming popular, and you may now see this on many charcuterie boards. It is thinly sliced like sashimi and then cured.
9. International Cuisine Food Trends for 2020
Every year, food trends change in terms of the international cuisine that people enjoy. The biggest of the international food trends for 2020 is Japanese cuisine.
The popularity of this cuisine is evident as it appears on more restaurant menus, including the menus of restaurants that do not specialize in this cuisine. More people are also attempting to cook this food at home.
Sushi is a particularly popular option, and these are dishes made using rice seasoned with vinegar along with various vegetables, seaweed, or tropical fruits. There are multiple varieties of sushi, and home cooks are becoming more ambitious in the range of sushi they are creating.
Another of the international food trends for 2020 is Middle Eastern cuisine. The spicing used in this cuisine is unique to that part of the world, and it combines sweet and hot flavours with ingredients that create wonderful aromas. Tagines, flatbreads, baba ganoush, and couscous are just some of the dishes and ingredients with which people are now experimenting.
A further cuisine that is big in 2020 is Filipino BBQ. Marinated meat, fish, and vegetables that are cooked on a hot grill have captured the imagination of BBQ fans across the globe.
10. Food Halls
It is not only the type of food that people eat that is changing, but also where people choose to eat. Restaurants and takeaways often specialize in just one kind of food. So, pizzerias specialize in pizzas, burger joints sell burgers, and steakhouses sell steak.
Food halls offer a completely different dining experience, and they are becoming increasingly popular. They offer various food outlets that share a communal dining space. There are often stalls selling food from around the world and fusion foods.
Therefore, they are a fantastic option if you are eating out with friends or family, and everyone in your party has different tastes. Even if you all order something from a separate section of the food hall, you can all sit together. Food halls are also great if you are not sure what you fancy, or you want to try a few different flavours.
11. Local and Seasonal Produce
According to BBC Good Food, there is a move towards more people buying and cooking with local and seasonal produce. It is also a trend many of the top restaurants are following by changing their menus according to the ingredients that are seasonally available in their local area.
When food is grown out of season, it often involves the use of chemicals. A lot of food sold out of season in supermarkets has come from abroad, so it has travelled a long way before hitting the shelves.
Local and seasonal produce has a much better flavour. Buying locally also supports local farmers and other businesses.
12. Reducing Waste Food Trends for 2020
Just like there is a trend towards reducing packaging waste, there is also a trend for reducing food waste. This trend is evident in several areas of the food industry.
First, many restaurants have vowed to reduce food waste by using ‘wonky’ fruit and vegetables. Likewise, some supermarkets sell bags of wonky vegetables for a reduced price. In the past, supermarkets discarded fruit and vegetables that did not aesthetically meet the standard expectations.
Another way that restaurants are reducing food waste is to adopt a ‘snout-to-tail’ ethos to their creation of dishes. This ethos involves using every part of an animal with no waste, leading to more offal dishes appearing on menus.
13. Bar Snacks
Over the last few years, there has been an increase in the popularity of small plates in restaurants. These are great for people who want a lighter meal or so that you can order a few small plates to share with your dining companion.
Following on from this trend is a rise in the popularity of bar snacks. Pubs, wine bars, and restaurants are offering bar snack options for diners who want something lighter and less formal to enjoy alongside a drink from the bar. Dining establishments have become creative in the variety of bar snacks available.
14. Diverse Frozen Food Trends for 2020
Frozen food offers convenience to busy people. Gone are the days of the frozen food section of the supermarkets providing a limited range of frozen chips, pizzas, and peas. Now, this section of the supermarket has diverse offerings, as the frozen food trends for 2020 include a wide range of gourmet products.
Foodies are no longer turning up their nose at the options in the supermarket freezers, as there are examples of cuisine from across the world created using only the finest ingredients. There is also everything from frozen cubes of chopped garlic to entire meal kits.
15. The Role of Beverages in Food Trends for 2020
Boozy nights out are taking a downward turn, as many people are now trying to reduce their alcohol intake. According to Nielsen data, as many as 66% of millennials are reducing their alcohol consumption.
In recognition of this trend, drinks companies are now producing a diverse range of low-alcohol and alcohol-free products. These include flavoured sparkling water with a splash of wine, low-alcohol wines, alcohol-free craft beers, fruity ciders, and much more.
Although many people are reducing their alcohol consumption, there are still plenty of people out there who enjoy a tipple. Alcoholic beverages on the rise include flavoured gins and cocktails.
For updated trends in the food and drink industry, read our article about the food trends for 2023.