MANILA, Philippines — First, there were the Avocado Toast recipes, then came the Instagram-famous Unicorn Frappucino, and more recently those Poke Bowls that took the spotlight from chopped salad.
Thanks to the Internet, all we had to do was type in a few words to discover what people all over the world are eating. But what food trends will be on the tip of our tongues and devour our social media feeds this year?
This year may be the year of “Pegan” diets, faux meat snacks, super Chocho (Chayote), and the taste of the Pacific Rim, with more people looking to Pinterest to get their food inspirations. This was according to the presentations made by International Chef Gary Evans at the recent Tabasco TasteSetters Workshop.
The two-day workshop was organized by premium food brand importer-distributor Sysu International Inc. and pepper sauce brand Tabasco, which aimed to present emerging food trends and how it can leverage the Philippines’ food and beverage (F&B) industry.
The workshop was held at Magsaysay Center for Hospitality and Culinary Arts in Mandaluyong, and allowed members of manufacturing, restaurant, catering and hotel sectors to be at the forefront of trends that could boost their businesses.
Chef Evans shared the trend predictions from global market leaders Whole Foods and Tyson Foods as well as the top foodie searches on Pinterest.
Pacific spices, tropical fruits
According to Whole Foods, flavor inspirations from the Pacific Rim (Asia, Oceania and the western coasts of North and South America) with ingredients like Philippines’ very own longganisa, dried shrimp, cuttlefish and shrimp paste are popping up in grocery stores and restaurant menus as people continue to explore more of the world through their palates, while vibrant tropical fruits such as guava, dragon fruit and passionfruit are making their way into smoothie bowls and cocktails.
High protein, low carb still in
Fats are making a comeback, and the trendiest diets from keto, paleo, grain-free and even “pegan” (paleo + vegan) diets are all on board. Along with these “phat” fats, higher protein and lower-carb combos will continue to trend across simple and easy snacking categories.
New integrations of fat sources include keto-friendly nutrition bars, coconut butter–filled chocolates, “fat bombs” and a new wave of ready-to-drink vegan coffee beverages inspired by butter coffees.
Plant-based faux meats
Faux meat snacks or plant-based foods will continue to surprise and inspire, taking on the meat-based snacking world of jerkies and pork rind. Mushrooms will play a key role here, flexing their flavor and texture powers in tasty jerky, “pork” rinds and “bacon” snacks.
Seaweed
Seaweed snacks rose to popularity a few years back and are now enjoyed by health-conscious adults and toddlers alike, and we can expect even more ocean influence in the grocery from seaweed butter, kelp noodles, puffed snacks made from water lily seeds, plant-based tuna alternatives with algae ingredients etc.
Personalized food
On the other hand, the experts from Tyson Foods Trendtellers Council noted that proactive wellness or personalized foods for health and beauty will be a big thing this year. “Bio-Hacks” as more people will be thinking strategically about eating foods that help give them energy, focus and sharper thinking.
Health and wellness has evolved from not only eliminating ingredients that detract or don’t facilitate vitality but adding ingredients that may offer extra health benefits. Proactive wellness will involve greater personalization allowing people to adjust and customize food products in real time. DNA testing is also now available for what may be the most personalized eating plan of all.
No-waste cooking, eating
Low carb, paleo and ketogenic diets have been on the rise in the past few years, and consumers’ increased interest in their overall health is also creating a renewed interest in all things protein. Another growing trend is for new cuts of meat and “nose to tail” eating (where every part of the animal is being put to use).
Food is also becoming a form of self-expression as consumers now align themselves with companies that represent similar values to their own. For Gen Z’ers in particular, food is more than sustenance – it is a symbol of their personal values and a form of self-expression.
Fusion food has been around for quite a while, but the evolution of these flavors is now happening in our homes. Household brands are now offering more new and innovative flavors and pairings than ever before. Even kid foodies are craving new, more modern flavors and cuisines.
Ginger
Finding ways to drink enough water is always a popular Pinterest search. Pinterest predicts water infusion recipes will again trend and its gone beyond citrus. Ginger slices will be big in 2019 as not only flavor boosters in water bottles, but also for their health benefits.
Milk alternatives
Milk alternatives including ways to make almond milk at home are Pinterest board favorites. But this year, Pinterest sees newcomer oat milk as a dairy alternative and new entry into the nut milk market with 186 percent increase in searches.
Oxtail
Filipinos are quite familiar with oxtail and now the it seems the entire world is also hungry for oxtail recipes they can try at home.
Mushroom, chayote
Pinterest boards focusing on integrating vegetables into meals are perennial favorites and this year, two specific veggies are claiming the spotlight. First are mushroom recipes to include them in everything from coffee concoctions to chocolate bars while the second veggie trend prediction is more unique—Chocho. The superfood chayote or chocho is often still an unknown option but with a 76 percent growth in chayote recipe searches, Pinterest sees the unique gourd option as trend.
‘Pegan’ diet
Pinterest has always been the go-to app for people in search of inspiration, and foodies are no exception. The social media site determines if an idea is trending by looking at what people are progressively searching for. From infused water to a look at the "pegan" diet, the Pinterest Insights team gathers their data from quantifiable site searches.
The site adds a potential weight loss trend to their 2019 list. Going Pegan--part paleo, part vegan, is a diet that is taking root with people on the hunt for healthy habits and has become one of the top pins as well. The "pegan" diet is already starting to climb the Pinterest search lists with a 337 percent increase in searches. — Ed Uy