Morality will play an even more central role in consumer decision-making in the coming year — especially in the food industry."
Thinking about culinary shifts in 2020? Wondering what trends might affect the food and beverage industry — or your particular part of it? Simply trying to impress your in-laws with some hot culinary gossip?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are a lot like me and my colleagues at Marlin Network’s Flavor Atlas. With those considerations driving our research, we have arrived at seven predictions about what to expect from another year of eating and drinking.
Ethical Eating
You’re thinking: “But isn’t this already a thing?” You’re right. But it looks like morality will play an even more central role in consumer decision-making in the coming year — especially in the food industry.
Today, 88% of consumers look to manufacturers to help them be more environmentally friendly and ethical in their daily life, according to a Futerra survey. And Euromonitor found nearly 30% feel good about buying eco- or ethically conscious products.
Issues ranging from animal welfare to sustainability to fair labor practices are shaping what people are buying and from whom they are making the purchase. Expect a reduction in animal product consumption, an increase in demand for soy bean alternatives (grains, mung beans, hempseed, pumpkin, avocado and watermelon seed) and more attention being paid to regenerative agriculture.
What it looks like:
- Patagonia Provisions was founded with the intention of creating organic and regenerative foods.
- Fargo Brewing Company features dogs up for adoption on beer cans.
New Wave Flexitarian
In 2008, writer Michael Pollen issued a few simple rules to eat by: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” Over a decade later, the influential words have taken shape in our culture.
“Mostly plants,” it turns out, means fewer animal products. Dairy Farmers of America announced traditional milk sales plummeted by $1.1 billion in 2018. Scientists have estimated the number of cows in the U.S. will fall by 50% by 2030, according to a Fast Company report.
But that doesn’t mean they’re going away entirely. In fact, 71% of shoppers who purchase plant-based meat alternatives also eat meat, according to FONA International. Bottom line: 2020 is time to flex those plant-forward offerings.
What it looks like:
- Blended beverages: Dairy+Almond milk
- Blended burgers, such as Applegate Organics brand and Raised & Rooted, in retail and many foodservice outlets, including Sonic Drive-In
- Dunkin’s new faux sausage biscuit
- Places like Bareburger featuring indulgent vegan/vegetarian items
- Cultured meat? Maybe soon, but probably not 2020
No-Booze Booze
Since the rise of the craft beer and artisan cocktail boom, we’ve seen a new crop of innovation from canned concoctions to punchy shareables. Now manufacturers, retailers, restaurants and bars are looking for ways to bring the flavors (and popularity) of those movements to the alcohol-abstinent crowd. In the coming year, we’ll see more products and drink menus that do just that.
What it looks like:
- Athletic Brewing focuses solely on creating craft non-alcoholic brews that don’t compromise on flavor.
- Seedlip offers a non-alcoholic premade cocktail with the flavor profile of a Negroni.
- Ritual Zero Proof crafts non-alcoholic gin and whiskey.
Evolution of Eatertainment
How many times have you heard experiences are important to consumers? Welp, one more time won’t hurt then: Durable goods are declining while services are on the rise, and almost half of Millennials seek experiences over all else, according to Euromonitor.
Hence, the rise of experience-based restaurant and bar concepts across the country — think “barcades,” dinner-and-a-movie theaters and new restaurants inside traditional retail stores. In 2020, you can expect more integration between food and experience — and overnights.
What it looks like:
- Watch a documentary about Diana Kennedy, the ‘Julia Child’ of Mexican cuisine, and enjoy a Kennedy-inspired dinner.
- Watch a documentary about David Bazan, then have drinks and see him perform.
- Eatertainment chain Punch Bowl Social is opening a hotel. So is Taco Bell. So is BrewDog.
Filipino Flavors
Back in 2012, Andrew Zimmern predicted Filipino food would be “the next big thing.” While it’s been slow to catch on, there is evidence that 2020 will be the year of lumpia, among other delicacies.
In general, Filipino cuisine tends to be sweet, tangy and salty, with far less heat than you might find in neighboring countries. Sourness is another standout flavor, largely driven by vinegar-based dishes.
What it looks like:
- Popular ingredients include calamansi (a local citrus); ube, a purple yam used to create lavender-hued desserts; and tamarind root (bonus functional benefits).
- Filipino restaurants like Maharlika in New York, Bad Saint in Washington, D.C., and LASA in Los Angeles are growing in popularity.
Functional Foods
The line between “food” and “fuel” has been blurring for some time. More people are asking the question, “What can my meals do for me?” — and new answers keep coming.
Most people (68%) say they’re likely to buy food and beverages having functional benefits and 24% of those consumers would pay slightly more for them, according to Technomic. For the food and beverage industries, that means adding ingredients that add benefits — perceived or actual (if there’s any difference).
What it looks like:
- Mushrooms with benefits (chaga, reishi, etc.)
- MCT oil for digestion
- Ashwagandha
- Maca root
Coffee Extensions
Think we’ve done all we can do with coffee? Think again. Yes, iced, frozen, cold brew and specialty drinks have driven coffee growth over the last few years, according to Mintel. And yes, the coffee market is highly competitive and increasingly saturated. That is not slowing coffee’s growth, however. Now, we’re seeing the beloved bean expanding into new forms and adjacent categories.
What it looks like:
- Hard coffee — La Colombe Hard Cold Brew Coffee, Agave Spiked Cold Brew, even PBR has released a cold hard brew
- Edible coffee bars made from coffee beans, coffee cherry, cocoa butter, cane sugar and Himalayan salt
- Coffee brewed like tea
We can make one more sure-fire prediction: 2020 will see more culinary creativity and collaboration between food suppliers and operators.