Every year sees forecasts on the food trends we can expect in the year ahead. Various food industry experts think about the question: what will shape the food we eat in 2024? What are the standout ingredients? What will the new food products be made of? Where will the industry players focus their attentions? Let’s look together at the latest food trend predictions for 2024!

Sustainability in the spotlight with more plant-based food

Once again this year, plant-based food will be in the spotlight, both in staples and in dietary supplements! This is the verdict of Whole Food Market’s analysis of food trends, and they’re not alone. Other predictions also point in this direction, as consumers feel increasingly concerned by the climate crisis, according to the Innova Market Insights report.

Check out our recipes for more plant-based food

Plant-based foods have been featuring more and more prominently in the food trends for several years now. This is good news for our health and that of the planet! What can we expect to be different this year? We expect plants themselves to be more important. We’re going back to nature with products based on mushrooms, nuts, vegetables… and simplified food labels with a restricted number of ingredients.

In addition, trend forecasts predict that plant-based meat alternatives will be accompanied by plant-based fish alternatives. These will be based on plant ingredients from the sea, to create a taste similar to fish. Staying on sustainability, regenerative agriculture and water conservation will be decisive factors for many consumers.

See also: What agriculture for sustainable food

Feel the heat: look out for chilli!

Expect spicy sauces and oils this year. Scorpion Peppers, Guajillo or Hungarian Goathorn Peppers will spice up our dishes, and they’ll come in different forms: fresh, ground or pickled. They can even be added to drinks like kombucha, cold-pressed juices and smoothies. You won’t find them in your coffee, but look out for other quirky innovations, like coffee with added mushrooms, probiotics and more!

Let yourself be tempted by this recipe for roasted pepper and chilli sauce

Finally, let’s not forget women’s health! This is a hot topic that has been growing in importance since the end of 2023. According to the Whole Food Market report, the food industry has spotted this trend and is likely to develop new products to meet demand. According to the Innova Market Insights report, prevention in general will become increasingly important.

Dataessential has released the 10^th edition of its major food trends for the year. According to them, these are the foods and flavours to watch in 2024:

• Violet/Floral
• Mustard seeds
• Spicy ranch (yoghurt-based sauce)
• Caesar everything
• Shawarma (traditional near eastern and Turkish kebab)
• Shaved ice
• Cresto de Gallo pasta (a type of pasta)
• Mexican beers
• Sweetened condensed milk

References:

Whole Food Market, forecast top 10 foods for 2024.
https://media.wholefoodsmarket.com/whole-foods-market-forecasts-top-10-food-trends-for-2024

Innova Market Insights, top 10 trends 2024.
https://www.innovamarketinsights.com/webinars/top-10-trends-2024

Dataessential, food flavor trends for 2024.
https://datassential.com/resource/datassential-releases-food-flavor-trends-for-2024-capping-off-a-decade-of-predictions/