What are the Top 10 food trends for 2023?
In October 2022, NUTRITION HUB, Germany’s largest network of food experts, carried out an on-line survey with 170 experts regarding upcoming food trends. They summarized the results into 10 areas.
1) Sustainable food to protect climate and health
This current trend is expected to extend into 2023. It means meat reduction, regional sourcing and eating according to seasonality. It also means transparency of the supply-chain.
2) Flexitarians on the move
It was once the norm that meat/fish had to be on the table at least once per day. No longer. In parallel, a move towards rigid veggie/vegan is for some too radical. They see their occasional quality meat/seafood as a luxury, albeit not too often. Plant-based or flexitarian dishes are increasing in popularity.
3) “Snackable content” – a digital therapy on the increase
Who would have thought that “silver agers” would make more use of on-line food offers, advice, food therapy and workshops. The Corona pandemic added to this.
4) Convenience food and healthy food to go
The question of life-style changes and healthier eating are on the increase. Quickly-prepared meals must no longer appear a negative solution. More and more supermarkets offer better snacks, food in a bowl, salads, cut-fruit or soups. “Meal prepping” is experiencing a renaissance.
5) Personalised food now includes individuality
“One size fits all” is passé, the reason being the new flexibility of the working world. Eating times are more individual and dependent on a person’s activity level.
6) Focus on gut health
Gut health has become a much more openly-discussed subject since the success of Giulia Enders’ book on the topic. The focus has moved more to fermented products, even in Michelin-starred restaurants.
7) Awareness of healthy food is increasing wellbeing
Ideally, more consumers want to link sustainable and climate-friendly food with healthy food. They are showing more interest in superfoods, look for motivation to reduce weight or change eating habits.
8) Protecting our resources by more mindful eating
The subject of mindfulness is omnipresent in social media. In the food arena too with care in the choice of raw materials. Women are particularly interested. They want to cut back on what is forbidden in food and gain a more relaxed attitude.
9) Vegan food more popular than ever
A Michelin-star for a vegan restaurant? No longer as strange as in the past. Vegan cookery classes are popular and give ideas and recipes. Even traditional meat dishes can be prepared in a vegan fashion. And supermarkets/discounters are creating more shelf-space for vegan items.
10) Non-alcoholic beer, wines and spirits getting more popular
Young and old are clearly becoming more critical about the consumption of alcohol. Start-ups are offering more options. Research into the fermentation of fruit juices is improving their taste too.