These Will Be the Biggest Food Trends of 2016, According to Google
The experts over at Google released their latest Food Trends report this morning - and the results are pretty fascinating. Analysts broke down the top identifiable searches by seasonality and growth between January 2014 and February 2016 - delineating searches by "rising stars" (what we're really into right now); seasonal stars (what we want to know around the holidays), and things being searched with increasing frequency (such as, What should I know about apple cider vinegar?!).
So what are Americans hungry for? Here's a closer look at the top themes from the report:
1. People don't just want burgers for dinner anymore.
Americans are searching for global recipes more than ever. Some of the most popular picks: Pho (Vietnamese), Bibimbap (Korean), Ramen (Japanese), and Empanadas (Mexican). Expect to see more of these delicious international cuisines in cookbook recipes and across restaurant menus nationwide. (West coasters are the top-ranked Pho-enthusiasts!)
2. Everyone wants to eat healthier (bravo!).
Foods that are delicious and good for you? No surprise here. We're searching for foods that work overtime to keep us stronger, healthier, happier, and smarter. From turmeric to apple cider vinegar, foods with health-related claims (rather than "diet" claims) are having a moment. Turmeric in smoothies, "golden milk," and blended bevs are going strong; plus other spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ground ginger. Other trendy topics: Kefir (a drinkable yogurt packed with probiotics); coconut milk (and the omnipresent coconut oil); and one I personally wish would disappear: bone broth.
My favorite on-the-rise trend: Jackfruit, a sub-tropical fruit with that's super sustainable and can be used to make vegan jerky, tacos, and pulled "pork" sandwiches. (I love this pseudo apple-pear-mango-like fruit in unsweetened, dried form for a high-fiber snack!)
3. We're being smarter about our indulgences.
From cake pops to mochi to mug cakes, mini-bites are huge - and I couldn't be more thrilled about it. The biggest shift over the past few years seems to be a refocused interest in smart indulgences - digging in to the real deal treat without overdoing it. We're looking to have our cake and it eat it, to - as a snack, after a meal, every day of the week.
4. Pasta and pork shoulder are the new comeback foods.
Pork shoulder, uncured bacon, and pig's feet (?!) are just some of the swine we're searching -especially on the weekends! BBQ tips, slow-cooker recipes, and crock-pots are all in the mix when doing our homework for food prep - particularly East Coasters and Midwesterners.
Similarly: Pasta's about to have a moment, and that's one I'm personally psyched to see! (The Google pros are calling 2016 the "Pasta Comeback" year!) Quick, easy, simple, wholesome, and affordable plates full of rigatoni, macaroni, and linguine are hot searches, especially on Saturdays and Sundays. The plethora of pasta options out there makes this even easier for those of us on the hunt for versions that meet our dietary needs (gluten-free foods are holding steady as a top-search).
What you'll see less of in 2016:
We're not particularly sad to say goodbye to rainbow bagels, gluten-free cupcakes, and agave nectar - just a few of the top "decliners" this year. Others that are just so very yesterday: chocolate fondant, buffalo chicken fries, bacon in sweets, and kale chips.
Perhaps the best takeaway trend I've seen: Americans are (newly) focused on living and eating healthfully - not just to cut calories or make do with "diet" food. I'll toast a mini-mochi mug cake to that!
