Food trends refer to the changes and shifts in consumer preferences, behaviors, and consumption patterns related to food and beverages. These trends can encompass a wide range of factors, including ingredients, flavors, cooking techniques, dining habits, and nutritional considerations. Some such trends prove to be long-lasting. Food trends are often discussed in magazines devoted to cuisine, and around the internet.
Food trends have a profound impact on the culinary industry, transforming the way restaurants, cafes, and food businesses operate. Culinary experts, including visionary chefs and food entrepreneurs, play a pivotal role in driving and responding to these trends. They bring their creativity to the forefront, pushing boundaries and redefining culinary norms.
The influence of food trends extends beyond the boundaries of individual establishments. Entire food markets are shaped by the demand for specific trends, giving rise to specialty stores that cater to niche preferences. Food festivals and events showcase the latest culinary innovations, acting as platforms for food enthusiasts and professionals to connect and explore exciting flavors together.
Although certain food trends may be more of a fad (see also Fad diet), some become long-lasting and, at times, a permanent fixture in the culture of food. In an article in Bon Appétit the difference between a food trend versus a fad is discussed. David Saks, author of Tastemakers: Why we're crazy for cupcakes but fed up with fondue, states, "Think about extra virgin olive oil - with the gourmands it hit big in the late '70s, early '80s, and it trickled down to everyone else in the '90s. It became the 'thing.' Now it's not a trend, nobody really talks about it. But it's the default oil. Food trends last a long time and are often good."
Authorities from Bon Appétit[1] and Food & Wine[2] magazines to the top chefs of the world have driven and reported on these trends. For instance, Bon Appetit recently released their top 25 food trends for 2013 in their article "The BA 25: What to eat, drink, and cook in 2013",[3]
Pinterest and Twitter give links to sites listing what to serve this season. Pinterest is designed to display trends and food is one of their biggest categories.
Smaller, blog-style sites have also appeared; examples include Food Trendsetter,[4] Violas Pantry,[5] The Daily Meal,[6] and Spiced,[7] that recruit smaller numbers of readers and provide entertaining, colloquial content to more targeted audiences.