This decade has been full of substantial and exciting shifts in the food industry. Since 2020, consumers have been exploring global flavours, focusing on healthier, more sustainable options. Food manufacturers have responded by incorporating fresh flavours into their products, introducing alternative free-from food and beverages, and taking a closer look at sustainability practices.<\/p>\n
In the coming year, sustainability will again be at the heart of consumer trends. North Americans are prioritizing personal and planetary health, all the while refusing to compromise on flavour.<\/p>\n
The food industry is shaped by the growing demand for more sustainable choices. Many of the 2024 food and beverage trends described in this list reflect consumers’ increasing eco-consciousness.<\/p>\n
More than ever, consumers (especially younger generations) are aware that their food choices profoundly impact the environment. According to\u00a0TetraPak’s 2023 Nutrition Index<\/a>, 54% of consumers consider sustainability in food purchases.\u00a0<\/p>\n Consequently, consumers expect food manufacturers to do more to reduce their carbon footprint and produce food sustainably. Adopting more sustainable farming methods, such as vertical farming, is one way to appeal to eco-conscious consumers.<\/p>\n In 2020,\u00a054% of consumers<\/a>\u00a0said that the healthiness of their food was more important than it had been in 2010 (according to the 2020 Food & Health Survey). This mentality has only strengthened in the last few years. People expect their food to be nutritious and full of high-quality ingredients with few additives or fillers. They are reading the ingredient list and looking for functional benefits like adaptogens.<\/p>\n Interest in vegan products is growing. However, vegans are not leading this growth. Flexitarians, motivated by concerns for personal and planetary health, are swapping animal-based products for vegan alternatives en masse. In 2021,\u00a054% of Americans<\/a>\u00a0aged 24-39 identified as flexitarians. They are fueling the growth of retail sales of plant-based foods, which grew\u00a011.4% to 5 billion USD<\/a>\u00a0in the USA in 2019.<\/p>\n The world of plant-based milk alternatives is continuing to expand. Although oat milk\u2019s popularity is surging (oat milk sales make up 19%<\/a>\u00a0of all plant-based milk sales in the USA), there is ample room for creativity in this sector. Watch for dairy-free milk from potato, avocado, pea, or hemp.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Institute of Food Technologists<\/a>\u00a0named faux fish one of their top trends in 2023. This segment of the plant-based industry has been slower to grow, which means there is a lot of opportunity moving forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n As at least 70% of global fish stocks are currently overexploited or depleted, there is an urgency to develop sustainable seafood alternatives that capture the taste and texture of the real thing.<\/p>\n In 2024, more cell-based\u00a0meat<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0seafood<\/a>\u00a0options will appear across the market (as predicted by the\u00a0Specialty Food Association Trendspotter Panel<\/a>). These lab-grown products address environmental and animal welfare concerns without compromising taste or texture.<\/p>\n Alternative pastas are not just for the gluten-free. Pasta made from lentils, beans, carrots, quinoa, seaweed, and buckwheat are becoming popular among consumers following other free-from diets, such as a low-carb or keto diet. Some alternative kinds of pasta are also an excellent protein source for plant-based consumers.\u00a0<\/p>\n Buckwheat (naturally gluten-free) appeared on\u00a0Whole Foods Market\u2019s Food Trends Forecast for 2024<\/a>.<\/p>\n Dates were trending in 2023<\/a>, according to the Whole Food Market\u2019s Food Trend Forecast from that year. Going forward, expect dates to appear in various ways throughout grocery stores, particularly in date sugar.<\/p>\n Dates have an incredibly high naturally derived sugar content, which food manufacturers can use to add sweetness to products without relying on standard white sugar. It appeals to health-focused consumers wanting to avoid white sugar and artificial sweeteners.<\/p>\n Mushrooms are becoming an undeniable consumer favourite.\u00a0VegNews<\/a>\u00a0reported that mushroom sales increased by 20% to 40% between 2019 and 2020. Although consumers are cooking with mushrooms more than ever before, they\u2019re also choosing food products that feature mushrooms. Mushroom jerky is a clear example.<\/p>\n The tahini market is expected to\u00a0grow significantly during 2024<\/a>\u00a0as awareness of the product grows throughout North America. Tahini will appear in sauces, dips, spreads, shakes, sweets, and in its traditional paste form. It is a dynamic ingredient with applications far beyond hummus (of which it is a core component).\u00a0<\/p>\n Ube is a purple yam originating from the Philippines. Thanks to its bold hue, it is becoming a popular ingredient to transform food products and beverages. As consumers grow wary of artificial food dyes, ube is a way to naturally colour products a beautiful violet. It also has a sweet, slightly nutty, vanilla-like flavour.<\/p>\n Yuzu has been trending since 2020. In 2021 alone,\u00a0236 yuzu-focused products were launched<\/a>\u00a0globally. This Japanese fruit tastes like a cross between an orange, grapefruit, and lemon. It\u2019s used in salad dressings, sparkling beverages, snacks<\/a>, and baking ingredients<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, yuzu isn\u2019t the only fruit capturing consumers’ taste buds. Peach is also having a moment. In the coming year,\u00a0SFA<\/a>\u00a0predicts that peach will appear as a popular flavour and ingredient across food and beverage products<\/a>. Expect to see peaches in new and unexpected forms, such as in condiments and with chilli peppers.<\/p>\n Consumers are on a global heat exploration. The\u00a0Whole Food Market Forecast<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Specialty Food Association Trendspotter Panel<\/a>\u00a0included chilli peppers in their 2024 predictions. This trend will continue to evolve in the new year, with consumers eager to experiment with new chilli varieties. Scorpion, Hungarian Goathorn, and Calabrian peppers will capture the market.<\/p>\n Specialty\u00a0salts<\/a>\u00a0(gourmet or artisanal salts) are attracting consumers’ attention. These salts often contain a high mineral content and are thus perceived as healthier than regular table salt. They\u2019re also a way to infuse recipes with fresh and exciting flavours.<\/p>\n Attracting new customers (and satisfying existing ones) depends on adapting to a changing food industry\u2014one where consumers are demanding sustainable, healthy options big on flavour. Hela Spice can help. We are North America\u2019s food industry experts. We combine sustainable ingredient application and food processing capabilities with in-depth knowledge of consumers.<\/p>\n To learn more about incorporating these trends into your food and beverage products with\u00a0Hela Spice<\/a>, visit our website or\u00a0contact us here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"2. Foods that Focus on Wellness<\/h2>\n
3. Vegan Options for Everyone<\/h2>\n
4. New Plant-Based Milk Options<\/h2>\n
5. Swimming with Faux Fish\u00a0<\/h2>\n
6. Cell-Based Meat and Seafood<\/h2>\n
7. Farewell Wheat, Hello Alternative Pastas<\/h2>\n
8. Dates Are the New Sugar Substitute<\/h2>\n
9. Mushroom Madness Continues<\/h2>\n
10. Tahini Enters the Mainstream<\/h2>\n
11. Bold Colours with Ube<\/h2>\n
12. Yuzu is North America\u2019s New Favourite Citrus<\/h2>\n
13. Peach is Back<\/h2>\n
14. Complex and Unconventional Heat<\/h2>\n
15. Specialty Salts<\/h2>\n
Hela Spice, We\u2019re North America\u2019s Food Industry Experts!<\/h2>\n