Food Trends in 2022: According To Whole Foods

 

Every year, the Whole Foods Trend Council, which includes over 50 worldwide buyers and culinary experts, compiles a list of the most anticipated food trends for the coming year. Last year’s trend predictions included sous vide egg bites, alcoholic kombucha, and a slew of new chickpea snacks (all of which have proven to be accurate this year!).

 

As the globe adjusted to spending more time at home due to the epidemic, we noticed massive adjustments in supermarket purchase habits last year.

 

As the food industry slowly adjusts to a new standard, we expect consumers to prioritize food and drink products that provide additional benefits, such as available sodas and tonics, and products that reinforce their sense of well-being, such as urban garden greens and products grown using farming processes that help address soil health,” Whole Foods Market’s chief marketing officer, Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, agreed. “In 2022, we’re excited to see these trends emerge in the supermarket aisles and on our plates.

 

Here’s what Whole Foods expect we’ll see at grocery stores and restaurants in the coming year.

 

Turmeric

 

Turmeric has been handed down in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese therapeutics for millennia, so it’s difficult to call it “trendy.” While turmeric isn’t a new spice, it’s becoming increasingly popular in foods like porridge, sauerkraut, and ice cream sandwiches. Look for Whole Foods Market Golden Holiday Bread (coming late 2021) and Whole Foods Market Salad Bar’s Turmeric Sweet Potato Kale Salad and Curry Tofu Salad, as well as Local Culture’s Turmeric Ginger Jalapeno Handmade Sauerkraut (coming 2022).

 

 

Sparkling Beverages with a Purpose

 

Move over, kombucha; you aren’t the only fizzy beverage with health advantages! Whole Foods forecasts that functional effervescent drinks will be hot next year, from probiotic sodas to botanical tonics.

 

Moringa

 

Moringa, often known as the ‘miracle tree,’ has long been utilized as a herbal cure in India, Africa, and more countries. Moringa pads are rich in nutrients, and these developing, drought-resistant trees have been utilized as a source of food to combat hunger in some regions of the world, according to Whole Foods. It is available in powder form and may be used to create magic in smoothies, sauces, and baked products.

 

Mocktails

 

According to a press release from Whole Foods, “the dialed-down spirits category enjoyed record growth in our locations this year.” We don’t see the sober-curious attitude going away anytime soon, with millennials and Gen Z-ers engaging in ‘drysolation’ during the epidemic. There’s a new drink on the market that has the flavor and elegance of a cocktail but none of the buzz.

 

Hibiscus

 

You’ve probably tasted vitamin C-rich hibiscus tea, but chefs are getting creative with hibiscus’ sweet and tart flavor (and lovely hot pink colour) in fruit spreads, yogurts, cocktails, and more. Consider Ruby Hibiscus Unsweetened Water and Vital Proteins. Hibiscus Beauty Collagen, YoBucha Strawberry Hibiscus Kombucha Yogurt, or the new Organic Orange Hibiscus Italian Soda from Whole Foods, which will be available next year.

 

Reducetarianism

 

Reducetarianism is for people who aren’t ready to go completely vegetarian or vegan but still want to cut back on meat, dairy, and eggs to benefit the environment or even their health. When it comes to animal goods, many reducetarians will choose grass-fed meat and pasture-raised eggs. Do you want to give the trend a shot?

 

Yuzu 

 

Yuzu is a tart and sour tangerine-sized citrus fruit that is mostly grown in Asia. Whole Foods anticipates that this fruit will be popular in grocery shops and restaurants across the United States by 2022.

 

Farming in the City

 

Innovation in urban and indoor farming has gone a long way, from hydroponics to aquaponics to urban greenhouses (interesting fact: the Whole Foods Market shop in Brooklyn has a Gotham Greens greenhouse on the roof). According to Whole Foods, these ultra-urban farms will continue to push the envelope in 2022 by cultivating hyper-local foods and improving their efficiency even more.