Eating delicious foods is arguably one of the finer enjoyments of life. Over the past decade, there has been a rapid change in food trends, whether it be the rise of veganism, gourmet snacks, or what have you.
5 food trends that will likely dominate 2019
1. Orange wine
Move over red and white wine, 2019 will be the year when orange wines start gaining popularity among wine aficionados. Contrary to the name, orange wine is not exactly made from oranges. Instead, an orange wine is basically a “skin-contact” type of wine in which the grape juice is fermented with grape skins. The result is that the wine will acquire an orange color and comes with a rather unique taste, different from the red and white wines people are accustomed to. Orange wines have existed for hundreds of years. It is only in recent times that they have started becoming popular.
2. Lab-grown meat
With the rise of veganism, meat became a strict no-no for many people. But there are consumers who want to eat meat without killing animals. Sounds like an impossibility? Not anymore, thanks to lab-grown meat. This is essentially meat manufactured on a large scale by breeding cells. Not a single animal has to be killed to produce the meat. For meat lovers who are conflicted about animal killing, this is just perfect. In 2019, the trend of lab-grown meat is expected to keep rising. However, lab-grown meats may have a different flavor when compared to the usual meats. So it remains to be seen how popular they become.
3. Sleeping drinks
For modern human beings, having a good night’s sleep is becoming quite difficult. Distractions like blue light, hot temperatures, and psychological stresses keep many people from enjoying uninterrupted sleep. So drink manufacturers decided to take things into their own hands and started toying with the idea of “sleeping drinks.” As the name suggests, these are drinks you take at night to relax your body and mind, letting you sleep like a baby. Som Sleep is a popular “sleeping drink” and is spiked with melatonin. Teami is a drink that uses ingredients like chamomile, lemon peel, and valerian to put you to sleep. For those who want a DIY solution, a spicy, herb-infused warm milk mixture called “moon milk” should do the trick.
4. The rise of sour
Expect 2019 to see an explosion of interest in sour flavors. This largely has to do with the huge popularity of Korean pop music. Not only has the music become all the rage in the U.S., but fans are already diving deep into other aspects of Korean culture, including food. Given that several Korean dishes have sour flavors, these are becoming popular among foodies. Kimchi tacos are now a must-try food in the U.S.
5. ‘Social cause’ purchases
With people getting more socially conscious, a spike in ‘social cause’ purchases in 2019 is a definite possibility. The term refers to a purchase of any food item that is backed by a noble social cause. For instance, a food item might be produced entirely by a cooperative run by survivors of sexual abuse. Another food item might donate part of the sales for the education of impoverished children. People looking to do some good in their lives will be more inclined to purchase such products.
