The food trends in 2019
December is the month for contemplation and reflection. While you may still be taking a moment to look back at everything that happened over the past year, we are already looking ahead. What does 2019 have in store for us in the culinary world?
Exotic comfort
Over the past few years, we have become completely accustomed to Asian comfort food such as bao, pho, bibimbap and ramen. Last year, we were inundated with Mexican tacos, tostadas and quesadillas. In 2019, we are heading a little further south: Venezuela, to be precise. What do they have to offer? The ultimate comfort food: arepas arepas arepas!
Conscious ‘indulgence’
The fact that we are eating more consciously does not only mean moving in a green and healthy direction. Conscious eating also leaves room for consciously enjoying and consciously ‘indulging’. Not getting through bags of candy and crisps, but enjoying a delicious pastry from the pastry shop, a special bonbon from the chocolatier or a lovely cheese board from your favorite cheesemonger.
Craftsmanship
That also fits with the next trend: increasingly, we are saying goodbye to the supermarket and doing our shopping at specialists again; the baker, the butcher, the fishmonger. It takes a little more time, but the quality is (usually) higher and, let’s be honest: it is simply wonderful to be able to ask for advice from someone who really knows what they are talking about, isn’t it?
Oat milk
Move over, soy milk! Oat milk is what we will be wanting in our coffee en masse in 2019. It is creamier than other types of plant-based milk, froths better (great for your cappuccino) and benefits from a healthy image thanks to its big brother, oatmeal.
Everything plant-based
It probably will not surprise you that the vegetarian and vegan trend that started some time ago will continue to grow. One vegetarian or vegan establishment after another is opening its doors, you can find one (or more) vegetarian or vegan options on virtually every menu, and even snack chains such as FEBO and McDonald’s are coming up with vegetarian and vegan options.
Green, greener, greenest
That sustainable, environmentally conscious trend is continuing not only in food, but also in restaurants and product packaging. Restaurants are embracing recycling and serving drinks with bamboo straws, products are packaged without wrapping or in biodegradable plastic, and so ‘a better environment starts with yourself’ is taking on an increasingly broader meaning.
Cooking with cannabis
Anyone who thought that a cannabis burger, cannabis sauce, cannabis wine and cannabis beer were enough cannabis-infused food is mistaken. There is much more ‘cannabis cooking’ in store for us in 2019. Why? CBD (the substance in marijuana that, unlike THC, does not make you high) is said to be incredibly healthy, and it is legal in more and more places in America. In short: every reason for Americans to add this new ‘superfood’ en masse to their coffee, chocolate and cocktails. Will you be doing so soon too?
