These Will Be the Food Trends of 2024

It’s almost December, which means we can look ahead to next year’s food trends. Will we leave semi-milk behind, and will a new alternative emerge? Are we finally done with avocados? Whole Foods did some research and came up with a definitive top ten, which I’m of course going to share with you.

Overall, I’m very excited about these food trends, although there are a few I’ll be skipping for now…

The Food Trends of 2024

1. Plant-based food with simple ingredients
Vegan remains hot in 2024, but it’s going back to basics: no fuss with meat substitutes, no creations that are vegan but taste just like meat; no, the ingredients will be used in a much purer form. Why? Because with all those creations, we eventually don’t even know whether they’re actually healthy. So back to basics: dishes with few ingredients, all plant-based and high quality.

2. Cacao
Of course, we’re all familiar with—and fans of—the best-known product made with cacao: chocolate. But in 2024, we’ll be seeing more cacao, and not hidden in other products. We’re already seeing a little of this in the increasingly popular cacao ceremonies (thousands of years ago, the Maya and Aztecs already used pure cacao for spiritual, medicinal and ceremonial purposes). According to Whole Foods, we also shouldn’t be surprised if we all start drinking cacao water. FavorFlav’s Sharon recommends the delicious drink Pacha de Cacao in this context.

3. Buckwheat
A food trend I wholeheartedly encourage, because in my opinion buckwheat is seriously underrated. Unjustly so, because it’s incredibly healthy, gluten-free and packed with protein and fibre. So it’s high time we started doing more with it in the kitchen—and from 2024 onwards, that may well happen.

4. Plant-based fish
Yes, this naturally contradicts number one a little, but plant-based fish is also becoming increasingly popular—and that popularity will only continue to grow in 2024. You can already see it happening: vegan sushi and even vegan sashimi are appearing on menus more and more often. And honestly, I find plant-based fish is more often closer to the ‘real thing’ than plant-based meat, so it’s no surprise that it’s becoming even more popular.

5. Water-saving products
Another very positive development as far as I’m concerned: products and ingredients that make a visible effort to be as sustainable as possible. Increasingly, you’ll see this stated on packaging too—how much water was saved in making the finished product. This trend isn’t limited to food products either; you’re also seeing it more often on the packaging of products such as soap, shampoo and conditioner.

6. ‘Swicy’
I’d never heard of it before, but this is a trend we’ll be seeing a lot of in 2024. Experts also describe it as a ‘complex spiciness’. In other words: expect spicy elements in products where you wouldn’t necessarily expect them. This could be candy (a comeback for Jawbreakers…?), but also other dishes or cocktails. And with the latter, we’re already familiar with it, of course, because the Spicy Margarita has long been a well-known—and much-loved—cocktail.

7. Instant noodles get an upgrade
Yesss, I’m completely on board with this. It’s really quite bad, but I’m addicted to—and extremely enthusiastic about—the Buldak Samyang Creamy Carbonara noodles. Thank goodness we finally have them at Albert Heijn, but now I want more: the black bean and curry varieties from the same brand, for example. These noodles are still incredibly popular on TikTok, where they’re prepared as full meals. With cream, cheese and spring onion, for example, but gyoza, tteokbokki and fish cakes are also used as toppings. And there’s only going to be more of this: instant noodles will remain popular and we’ll experiment with them even more, for example by adding more vegetables. This is because groceries are becoming more and more expensive, making instant noodles a great option for a filling yet affordable meal.

8. Cheap snacks
And because everything is getting so expensive, our snacking habits will change too: we’ll be turning more towards budget-friendly snacks. These could be ready-made desserts instead of homemade cheesecakes, but also packets of raisins or chocolate-covered raisins. No more chocolate truffles and expensive chocolates, then.

9. More focus on health
I find this one tricky: supplements are also expected to become much more popular in 2024. Paying more attention to our health is of course always a good thing, but unfortunately there’s also a lot of deception involved, and it can be very personal what your body needs—and what it doesn’t. So if you’re thinking of buying supplements, always consult a professional first about what works for you.

10. New types of coffee
Aiii, I’m definitely skipping this one for now: coffee that isn’t made from coffee beans. Coffee without beans?! Apparently, mushroom coffee is expected to become very popular next year, and I don’t know if I’ve ever tasted anything so disgusting. I’d rather drink Kopi Luwak, made from civet cat droppings—which sounds more appealing, were it not for the fact that it’s a rather controversial coffee.

Also read:

• It’s proven: alcohol improves speaking a second language
• A word about the new ‘Don’t drink in the presence of children’ campaign
• Research proves: people who make a mess with food are healthier

Source: Whole Foods