Enough of technologies like AI, IoT, and Big Data. Now it’s time for some advanced knowledge of the revolutionary food trends of 2019 that you just cannot afford to miss, because;

“First we eat, then we do everything else” – M.F.K. Fisher

Since the past decade, we have come across a wide range of culinary revolutions which varied from getting inspirations from the Asian and oriental cuisines and increasing our dependence on the local produces. A new class of food connoisseurs appeared, known as vegans whose food preferences, well, became a hot topic of discussion, kudos to their selective eating and the healthy lifestyle that they have opted to live in.

Beverages also earned their fair share of popularity when tasty concoctions, both virgin and alcoholic were presented colorfully and creatively to quench our thirsts. Food has seen a lot of change, hence giving birth to the concept of food trend. Here we present to you the top ones to look for.

2019 and the upcoming food trends to look for your taste buds

Eating healthy has lost its stature of being synonymous with eating bland food (and thank God for that!) Today, eating greens does not make your face cringe with disgust. Hardcore non-vegetarians now love to experiment with their meaty tongue with a splash of green at the side of their plates. You can very well say that there is a theme of food secularism that has occurred in the gastro-society of the world.

The current food trends are adventurous where a technology-driven food culture can assist a farmer produce or create a food that he/she has never seen or heard before. So what exactly can you expect from the food trends 2019?

1. Food that will love your guts

Pickling, fermentation and preservation are climbing up the ladder of the mainstream because they love our guts. Fermentation is the process of developing healthy and gut-friendly bacteria that help in keeping the digestive systems in shape. The fermented delights include miso, kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, alliums, garlic and onion.

2. Virgin beverages to quench your thirst (a choice that’s not to be guilty or offended of)

Now here’s a fun oxymoron in 2019 that goes by the name ‘non-alcoholic spirits.’ Tony Naylor, the columnist with Good Food, opines that non-spirited drinks are growing in the preference list of the people. The beverage industry is getting re-shaped for the health-conscious millennials who are opting out of alcohol unlike their ‘fathers and forefathers’ (again, no offense)! Make way for premium tonic waters with untried and newly formed exciting flavors. Fruity cordials and mocktails are the glasses to look for.

3. Oat- The New Milk In Town

The Coca-Cola Co., citing Mintel data, said 36% of consumers said they would buy coffee with non-dairy milk, and 35% said they’d like coffee with added protein.

Shout out to all the vegans, to your list of dairy-free beverages, there is a new addition, and that is oat milk. With the statistics above, the rising consumer demand for a drink (read milk) with more protein and fiber than nut or soy has given birth to Oat Milk.

4. Cold brew will stay in the long run

It is smooth, it is chocolaty and it is implicitly sweet- It is cold brew coffee. Cold brew coffee has been a very consistent product that is delivered in kegs or in concentrates. The reason for its popularity is that it absorbs a whole lot of antioxidants from the body. It is healthy, it is tasty and also served quickly.

5. Get local, get fresh & get healthy

Countries are now depending a lot on the locally produced fresh greens and meats. The advantage of this phenomenal practice is versatile because not only it uplifts the local economy; it also provides fresher and tastier versions of the food that will benefit the health a lot.

6. To meat or not to meat, that is Heme!

Okay, this is a bit premature to mention because Heme is not yet available in the market, but it has already made a significant place in the list of restaurant food trends 2019. Heme in Greek means blood. This is an innovation of science which calls for preparing food with alternatives to meat. Invented by the tech-food startup Impossible Foods, they have promised to bring the meaty taste and goodness in the plant-based regular burgers. Quite an invention, isn’t it?

7. Ditch the fries, make way for some healthy southern options!

And by southern we are referring to the South American essentials, hailing from Brazil, Peru, Mexico and so on. Pizzas and muffins created out of cornstarch, beverages made of maize, purple potatoes, black quinoa, chia seeds kiwicha seeds and white and purple corns are slowly making their ways in the menu essentials of the people.

8. Fermented grain or lager

For balanced and easy drinking, Lagers are the new favorite of the mass. These drinks are light, clean and crisp and the main reason of the growth for craft brewers.

9. Food for thought is food for your brain

Enlisting the hottest food trends 2019 is incomplete without mentioning Mexican yams, dandelion leaves and stems, eggs, salmons and turmeric. Why you may ask. The reason is that, alongside iodine, these specific foods are considered to be directly associated with the brain health. Consuming these ingredients enhances the brain cell activities on both the physical and chemical fronts. Guess, the term ‘food for thought’ has a new reality.

10. Some sun-kissed good from West Africa making way in restaurant food trends

Africa is not only about an enriched flora or fauna. This statement is entirely substantiated by the cookbook Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen, written by Zoe Adjonyoh. This book teaches us how the incredible West African specialties like ginger infused Scotch bonnet stew and grilled tilapia are becoming popular with the connoisseurs of continental delights. For dessert? Tantalize your taste buds with some baobab and vanilla yogurt.

11. Diet, the Pacific Rim way!

Flavors of Western Coasts, Asia, Oceania and Southern America are rising gradually as the hottest food trends. Expect dragon fruit, checks guava, cuttlefish, Filipino sausage longganisa, shrimp paste and dried shrimps are going to hit the plates fresh from the waters.

12. Eat everything, from root to the stem

If you are an environmentalist, alongside being a food-lover, then this one is for you. The root to stem eating is perhaps one of the ideal practice in this list of food trends which will be there for the long run. The idea of this concept is elementary. Instead of using only the significant parts of any plant or animal, restaurants are now coming up with techniques that will use every part of the food item. A significant step towards conservation!

13. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting Ruby chocolate

Chocolates can never go wrong. It is the best gift from God. Okay, enough of chocolate praising. Make way for a new variant of chocolate, the Ruby Chocolate. We all are familiar with white, milk and dark chocolate, but this Ruby one is created with the mixture of all three. And it comes in the color pink.

14. Sip your soup, on the go!

I know it sounds crazy, right? But this is serious. The health conscious peeps, in fact, a good chunk of them are now opting for their daily essential soup to be sipped out straight from a bottle.

Hectic schedules are naturally snacking up on our routines, and therefore, to let the supply of essential nutrients free-flowing, experts have devised out high pressure processed foods for gulping down the veggie goods, daily.

15. One more gift for the fans of lactose-free goods

Veganism is full of surprises. To substantiate this claim, I would like to introduce to you all, Pea Milk. Exactly, you read that right dear readers. Milk extracted from peas. It is the latest dairy alternative alongside the nut and bean-based dairy. Ideal for the ones who are lactose intolerant or have nut-allergy. Comes in numerous variants. Enough said!

16. Pop! Pop! Popped Sorghum!

Popcorn, Popped/puffed rice, popped/puffed fox nuts and now, popped Sorghum. If your knowledge with seeds is good, Sorghum calls for that species of whole grain that is draught-resistant, found in the arid or dry areas. This is considered to be a new super snack which is filled with all the essential vitamins and nutrients and also offers a tasty filling for the stomach.

17. Ugly foods will beautify your plate

This one talks about the battle against wastage of food. There are many producers who hesitate to sell ‘de-formed veggies’ to the market, but people fail to realize that these veggies are organically grown without any harmful traces of anti-biotic and other harmful growth hormones. These veggies are going to gain a tremendous momentum in the current year.

18. International seasonings and condiments

I will take the example of the developing countries who have never heard the words peri peri or harissa or horseradish. This scenario has changed a lot since the past few months as they have started to keep the spices, sauces and spread in their departmental shelves with a spiking rise in the sales.

To wrap it up!

These food trends are definitely going to rule the year 2019 and not abiding by them is counted a huge mistake that may hamper the growth of the restaurant or bar. Also, do not miss out on upgrading your restaurant management software to avail the new updates that will make your operations seamless.