Hot food trends for 2021: Chickpeas, meal kits, mushrooms and boozy kombucha – Detroit Free Press

Susan Selasky

| Detroit Free Press

Meal kits and mighty mushrooms.

Chickpea flour and pizza crust.

Climatarian diets designed to lower your carbon footprint. Drinks designed to help aid sleep, and boozed-up Kombucha.

As we head deeper into 2021, food and drink forecasters are out with a list of predictions about what and how we will eat and drink this year.

The coronavirus pandemic, which began sweeping through the country last year, drastically changed the way Americans eat, cook and purchase prepared food. And heading deeper into 2021, forecasters admit it was a bit of a struggle to figure out.

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“COVID-19 has a massive impact on trend predictions heading into 2021, as consumers cook and eat at home more, turning to everyday meals and special treats to comfort and support their mental and physical well-being,” wrote Denise Purcell, director of content for the Specialty Food Association, in its annual trend report released in October.

“We’re seeing several trends around experimenting with flavors and ingredients, as well as turning to functional or plant-based foods and twists on classic products to avoid menu fatigue.”

Cooking at home remains the overarching trend of 2021 because of the pandemic. While people are honing their cooking skills, they are also turning to restaurant chef meal kits to make at home, forecasters predict.

Grocers are seeing more people that are interested in immune boosting foods and comfort foods.

In terms of ingredients, 2021 is also the year for mushrooms, products infused with mushroom powder, and even mushroom broth. Look beyond hummus this year because you’ll find chickpeas in flours, snacks and even pizza crust.

Restaurants are a big topic for most forecasters because of how the pandemic has upended the entire industry — financially and culturally.

Diners can expect fewer printed menus when ordering out, and more QR codes. Long gone are buffets and salad bars, as well as self-service areas at grocery stores, says the Baum + Whitman nnual trend report. Also, outdoor dining is here to stay with restaurants building structures and utilizing parking spaces and more to serve people outside.

There’s no doubt we have entered another unpredictable year, but here’s a sample of expectations trend spotters, market researchers and grocers see happening in 2021.

1. Home cooking

Because the pandemic forced stay-at-home orders and restaurant closings, Americans packed up their desks and headed home to work. That’s not going to change anytime soon. Working at home, and no dining-in at restaurants, means more time in the kitchen.

More than 80% of Americans made a change in what they eat or how they prepare food and how they shopped, according to the International Food Information Councils (IFIC) year-end 2020 Food & Health Survey. Of those that made some sort of change, 60% were cooking at home more according to the IFIC.

2. Comfort Foods

More consumers are seeking easy-to-prepare comfort foods, according to The Kroger Co. These comfort foods are on the rise ” … as consumers look to balance convenience and quick preparation times with flavorful meal options. Comfort foods, long known as coping mechanism helped cope with the stresses of 2020.”

Kroger found more consumers also ” … increasingly turning to home baking as a mood booster and mental escape.”

3. Dining and restaurants

Huge changes are on the way, which is no surprise. Consumers can expect “highly limited menus, no table cloths, lots of masks and safety barriers, pouring your own wine, no more sharing platters, simpler food, diminished service, fewer celebrations, goodbye buffets … ” according to Baum + Whiteman, food and restaurant consultants.

While it’s no surprise that there will be fewer restaurants, more than 100,000 have closed nationwide, Baum + Whiteman says fewer restaurants will be a good thing because “… this country has had too many restaurants chasing too few consumers … and COVID exposed that underlying weakness,” the report says.

4. Restaurant Meal Kits

Many restaurants are providing signature meals that you pick up, and finish the cooking at home. In metro Detroit, plenty of restaurants are already offering all kinds of kits including those for holidays, so that you can bring the dining experience into your home.

Burger kits were one of the first items Grey Ghost restaurant in Detroit began doing during the first indoor dining ban last March. “Things like those are not going anywhere for a long time,” said John Vermiglio, co-chef and co-owner of Grey Ghost. “We will keep doing the kits. The household diner has been exposed to a beautiful thing, an opportunity to put together a world class meal.”

Grey Ghost has soldmeal kits for brunches, Easter, Mothers Day, Father’s Day and the recent winter holidays. Kits are about 85% complete when purchased, and the customer takes it the rest of the way thanks to the instructions that are provided.

5. Less food waste

It’s estimated that nearly 40% of food goes to waste. In a year that’s seen farmers plow over acres of produce because of no buyers, and long lines of those seeking food assistance, food waste is a huge issue.

With stay-at-home orders in place and people quarantining and cooking more at home, those who are eco-conscious have become more aware of food waste.

Companies are stepping up too by “making marketable products with what was once considered waste,” according to af&co. The lifestyle and media relations outfit found more people are open to a “waste not, want not” approach.

A recent Kroger survey found 35% of its shoppers are more conscious of food waste since the pandemic began. More than half plan to continue to limit food waste after the pandemic.

6. Mushrooms, and mushroom stuff

It will be a “breakout” year for mushrooms according to The Kroger Co. trend predictions. Kroger cited the fungi as versatile ” …rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and can easily elevate everyday recipes with its warm umami flavor.”

Mushrooms will be blended into new products, seasonings and more. Whole Foods Market trends forecast says “… the lines are blurring between supplement and grocery aisles ….” One interesting product along those lines is Om Mighty Mushroom Broth dietary supplement powder, a superfood for immune support.

7. Virtual cooking classes

Places that formerly offered in-person cooking classes switched to virtual, online classes via Zoom. Chefs began offering them, too. These online classes are here to stay, at least for a while. Classes on line are less expensive than in person, making them more affordable. And the beauty of these classes is you’re in the comforts of your own kitchen.

8. Boozy kombucha and sleep aid drinks

Move over hard seltzers and make room for boozy kombucha. Whole Foods Market predicts consumers will go for alcoholic kombucha this year. Cheers to hard kombucha for being gluten-free along with having live probiotic cultures.

Drinks are more diverse, says Phil Kafarakis an industry analysis. “Alcohol rates have gone up and the turmeric and gingers of the world have found their way into beverage formulas. The specialty waters that come from a pristine place, now have pristine ingredients.”

If you’re looking for some shut-eye help, PepsiCo ilaunched Driftwell in December. Given all the stress and uncertainty of 2020, the new drink is meant to help you relax and unwind. Driftwell contains 200 milligrams of L-theanine, an amino acid also found in some teas and mushrooms, which is known to help with relaxation without causing drowsiness. A 10-pack of 7.5 ounce cans is sold online for $17.99. The enhanced still water beverage also contains magnesium and has a hint of blackberry lavender flavor. Driftwell is non carbonated, and has 0 calories and 0 sugar.

9. Diet and nutrition

For the fourth year in a row, U.S. News & World Report ranked the Mediterranean diet as the best overall diet. The diet is typically high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds and olive oil. It gets kudos because the diet can help ward off chronic diseases and improve longevity, according to U.S. News & World Report.

The DASH Diet (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) and Flexitarian Diet tied for the No. 2. spot. Baum + Whiteman pegged the Flexitarian as its diet of the year citing soaring sales of vegan and vegetarian products soaring and “Americans rethinking consumption of animal protein … “

10. Global flavors

People are changing behaviors as they are missing restaurants and travel, and they are trying to replicate those experiences at home, says Phil Kafarakis, an industry analysis and advisor to boards, CEO’s and governments.

“They are missing the ability to have some decadence and you layer on top of that health and wellness and it’s a real big deal,” Kafarakis said.

Baum + Whiteman cited emerging flavors such as dukkah a smoky-salty Egyptian mix of ground nuts and spices to Jerk seasoning and Tempero Baiano, a cross-cultural African-Portuguese-Brazilian medley of parsley, chili peppers, oregano, nutmeg bay leaves and turmeric.

Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky: 313-222-6872 or sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter.

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Published at Sat, 09 Jan 2021 14:01:06 +0000