Food trends you need to look for in 2020

What to eat

16 Feb

Whether you're an ardent connoisseur or a culinary newbie, these are some of the trends in food that you need to be aware of as we step into the new decade.

1. Plant-based meat

No longer are vegan foods the bland, intriguing sustenance of just a minority of hippy animal-lovers. Meat-free eating is sweeping through the world as studies consistently report the benefits of a plant-based diet and the climate-damaging effects of rattle raising.

The trend shows no sign of slowing down. Plant-based food manufacturers such as Farm Foods, Impossible Meat, and Beyond Meat have emerged as an answer to a public shift towards more wholesome food.

As plant-based meat tastes more and more like real meat, soon we'll probably see less of the latter and more of the former on our menu.

2. Farm to Table

As our table's filled with manufactured foods coming either from the factories or abattoirs, there's a movement that encourages going back to the old, natural way of eating, which is sourcing our ingredients locally and directly from producers.

This will ensure fresh, seasonal food on the table and promote sustainable farming practices. Many restaurants have already jumped on the sustainability wagon by using only local produce. You can find a list of the top ones here.

3. Conscious eating

The palpable effects of climate change are a wake-up call for everyone to do their bits for the environment. One of the most powerful ways we can help slow down global warming is via our consumption of food. Food waste is one of the most important global issue, with 1.3 billion tonnes of food left to rot in landfill.

That equals 1 trillion dollar in economic costs. As a result, there is a trend toward conscious consumption of food. Apps such as Bring Me Home are conceived to tackle the food waste challenge and promote more sustainable eating.

With Bring Me Home, you can order quality unsold food from restaurants at up to 70% discount.

4. Milk alternatives

The trend away from traditional meat products means that there is now a rise in milk alternatives all over the world. Nowadays, stepping into a coffee shop or a milk tea shop, you'll get to choose among a selection of almond, soy, and oat milk.

As we progress towards the future you might expect more options to come. Soon you'll have to skim through a long list of coconut milk, rice milk, hemp milk, oat milk, and maybe one day, lentil milk.

5. Kombucha

Kombucha is quickly becoming the world's new favourite tea. These fermented teas might very well just be a transitory fad, but many believe they'll get to be a staple in 2020. Yelp food reviews mentioning "kombucha" surged 377% in the past year alone.

6. Probiotics

With digestive health an increasing concern, there is now probiotics in everything. From probiotic drinks to probiotic supplements, our craze for these tiny microbes now sees them added to foods such as yoghurt, chips, ice cream, fermented cucumbers, carrots, and snack bites.

It's hard to know where this probiotic enthusiasm will lead us. It's equally hard to envision a probiotic-laden future that will do us more good than harm.