British people will continue to reduce their meat and alcohol intake but enjoy exotic delicacies like yuzu and hibiscus in 2022, according to a new report by Whole Foods.
The upmarket US grocer, which has seven stores in the UK, has revealed what will be on British plates in 2022.
Each year, a Trends Council of more than 50 Whole Foods Market team members, including local foragers, regional and global buyers, and culinary experts compile trend predictions based on decades of experience and expertise in product sourcing and studying consumer preferences, as well as in-depth workshopping with emerging and existing brands.
The global buyers and experts unveiled their top 10 anticipated food trends for 2022 in the retailer’s seventh-annual Trends predictions.
Ingredients such as moringa, turmeric and yuzu are expected to gain popularity whilst movements such as ultraurban farming and reducetarianism are expected to take off in the next year. The 2022 trends represent what’s new for the coming year and what consumers should expect to see on the food scene.
Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, Chief Marketing Officer at Whole Foods Market told FEMAIL: ‘Last year, we saw tremendous pandemic-related shifts in grocery buying habits as the world adjusted to spending more time at home.
‘As the food industry slowly adjusts to a new normal, we expect to see consumers prioritise food and drink products that deliver additional benefits—like functional sodas and tonics— and products that support their sense of well-being, like urban garden greens and products grown with farming processes that help address soil health. We look forward to watching these trends take form in grocery aisles and on our plates in 2022.’
British people will continue to reduce their meat and alcohol intake but enjoy exotic delicacies like yuzu and hibiscus in 2022, according to a new report by Whole Foods
ULTRAURBAN FARMING
In 2020, Whole Foods introduced Infarm, the world’s fastest growing urban farming network, in installing two of its vertical farming units allowing shoppers to buy fresh produce grown directly in store.
Since then, innovation in indoor farming has ballooned, from hydroponics and aquaponics to mushrooms grown above our grocery aisles — and even fresh produce grown by robots.
Producers are finding new, boundary-pushing ways to grow hyper-local crops and maximise efficiency.
Yuzu — a lesser-known citrus mainly cultivated in Japan, Korea and China — is taking the culinary world by storm, according to the report. Pictured is Yuzu mustar
YOU DO YUZU
Yuzu — a lesser-known citrus mainly cultivated in Japan, Korea and China — is taking the culinary world by storm, according to the report.
Tart and sour, this tangerine-sized fruit is popping up in vinaigrettes, hard seltzers, mayos and more.
In the restaurant scene, chefs are using its lime-lemon-grapefruit flavour to accent their soups, veggies, noodles and fish. Get ready to see this fruit shine in 2022 — both on and off the grocery aisles.
REDUCETARIANISM
Are you a plant-curious eater who isn’t ready to give up meat entirely?
Try reducetarianism — reducing consumption of meat, dairy and eggs without cutting them out completely.
When animal products are on the menu, reducetarians make them count, opting for premium grass-fed meat and pasture-raised eggs.
HIBISCUS IS HAPPENING
Hibiscus has a long and delicious history in the world of teas, and customers have historically kept it in their rotations for its vitamin C content.
‘Now, producers are harnessing its sweet, tart flavour in the form of fruit spreads, yogurts and beyond.
‘Of course, beverage makers are keeping up, leaning on hibiscus to craft delicious drinks that adopt its signature hot-pink hue.
READ RELATED: 6 Effects Chewing Gum Can Have on Your Body
BUZZ-LESS SPIRITS
The dialled-down spirits category record growth in our stores this year.
With millennials and Gen Z-ers dabbling in ‘drysolation’ during the pandemic, we don’t see the sober-curious mindset going away anytime soon.
Enter a new lineup of drinks that provide the taste and sophistication of cocktails without the buzz.
Hibiscus (drink pictured left) and turmeric (paste pictured right) are set to be prominent flavours in the new year
GRAINS THAT GIVE BACK
Grocery grains are refocusing on the environment in 2022.
We’re talking grains grown via agriculture practices and farming processes that help address soil health.
Teff, known a tiny grass seed with a mild nutty flavour is known for its efficiency – because the grain is highly adaptable and can survive extreme weather conditions. Add it to your porridge, pancakes or pie.
The flour is a staple in Ethiopian and Eritrean diets as it grows in surplus in the Horn of Africa and has more calcium than any other grain and is the only ancient grain containing vitamin C. It’s been used for centuries to make injera – a sour fermented flatbread – but Brits are set to sprinkle the grain on products in 2022.
SEIZE THE SUNFLOWER SEED
Sunflower seeds are now sliding into crackers, ice creams and creamy cheeses.
Delivering protein and unsaturated fats, these mighty little seeds are transforming the 21st century snack game.
Parents, take note — many sunflower seed–based products are made without nuts, which means allergy-friendly school snacks (just make sure to always check the label).
MORINGA’S MOMENT
Often called the ‘miracle tree,’ moringa is traditionally used as an herbal remedy in India, Africa and beyond.
Moringa leaves have plenty of nutrients, and these fast-growing, drought-resistant trees have been used as a source of food to fight malnutrition in certain parts of the world.
Gaining steam in the U.S. as matcha’s latest alternative, it can be found in powder form and added to make magic in smoothies, sauces and baked goods.
It’s also showing up in unexpected products like frozen desserts, protein bars and packaged grain blends.
FUNCTIONAL FIZZ
Today, bubbly beverages are doing double duty.
That’s right, people are looking for sparkling drinks that not only taste great but also offer ingredients that balance out the sweetness.
We’re talking soft drinks with probiotics and fizzy tonics with added prebiotics, botanicals and more.
Source:
