Last month, we took a look at some early predictions for next year’s biggest food trends. But as the year winds down, more food industry experts are weighing in on what’s to come. Here’s another roundup of the top food trends to watch in 2024.
Dataessential’s Food & Flavor Trends for 2024
Dataessential, which has a decade-long history of predicting the next big food trends accurately, named 10 foods and flavors that are positioned for growth next year:
Violet/floral
Mustard seeds
Spicy ranch
Caesar everything
Spam
Shawarma
Shaved ice
Cresto de gallo pasta
Mexican beers
Sweetened condensed milk
The intelligence company also predicted 10 inception-stage trends that have the potential to grow beyond 2024, including scamorza cheese, hojicha, and nepitella.
Euromonitor International’s 2024 Consumer Trends
Euromonitor’s latest trends report shows that consumers are looking for simple health solutions that deliver quick results, and most would pay more from products that prove their effectiveness for common health concerns like sleep improvement, weight management, and mental health.
In addition, generative AI is likely to play a bigger role in personalizing the shopping experience for consumers. And brands are already using it to aid content creation, as Coca-Cola did with its Y3000 Zero Sugar beverage.
Lastly, as consumers try to live more sustainably, they’ll be calling on brands to provide traceability and transparency to verify their sustainability efforts.
Yelp’s 2024 Food & Drink Trends
Yelp rounded up its predictions for food and beverage trends that will go mainstream in the coming year.
For beverages, Yelp predicts the surge of the low-alcohol, elderflower-based Hugo Spritz; new martini variations; coffee cocktails; and artful fruit and veggie smoothies. On the food side, trends include hot and cold ramen varieties and caviar bumps for a bite of luxury.
KeHE Distributors’ 2024 Macro Trends
KeHE Distributors named several macro trends that will drive product innovation in 2024.
Consumers want to invest in not only their own health, but the health of all those under their care, leading to a search for foods with functional ingredients that support health and wellness goals, as well as foods that are rich in essential nutrients to help prevent chronic disease and illness. However, this doesn’t mean they’ll be giving up indulgences and “less healthy” food — instead, they’ll look for real, quality ingredients in such products.
In addition, consumers will be seeking meals that boost their cooking efficiency; buying products with sustainability in mind, particularly those with environmentally-friendly packaging; and trying new foods, cuisines, and flavors inspired by social media influencers.
