Here are the food and drink trends you can expect in 2022

Virgin Radio

6 Dec 2021, 12:48

If you’re intrigued as to which foods and drinks will be tempting your taste buds in 2022, then here's what the experts think will be trending.

Unsurprisingly, given the major environmental crisis that the world is facing, many of the upcoming trends focus on sustainability, meat-free alternatives, and generally giving more thought to where our food comes from.  

We can expect to see more carbon-neutral restaurants, with eateries trying to play their part helping the environment by improving their carbon footprint. And with an increasing number of people going vegetarian or vegan, you shouldn’t be surprised to see the non-meat sections of menus continue to grow. According to Speciality Food Magazine, sales of vegetarian food products have increased by 156 percent since 2020 and vegan product sales have gone up 150 percent.

Plant-based Chef Bettina Campolucici Bordi told Metro that mushroom dishes will be popular in 2022: “Mushrooms are definitely enjoying a moment, having doubled their online value year on year to April 2021. Packed with umami flavours and B vitamins you can now buy many more exciting varieties”

Meanwhile, if oat milk saw a surge in popularity in 2021, then get ready for potato milk to do the same next year. Bettina explained: “This new milk alternative is low in sugar and saturated fats, and is one of the most sustainable options as potatoes use about half the land it takes to grow the equivalent amount of oats”

Whilst not everyone is up for ditching meat from their diet completely, it is expected that flexitarian eating will become even more of a thing, as consumers become increasingly aware of animal wellness and environmental concerns. Focus has shifted to quality over quantity. Waitrose’s 2022 Food & Drink Report found that nearly 70 percent of the customers they surveyed told them that the carbon footprint of their food was important.

Therefore, experts suggest that people will start eating better quality meat, but less often. Ian Warren, managing director of Cornish butcher Philip Warren told Metro: “There’s real merit to the message ‘eat less meat but choose quality when you do.’ We’re generally thankful for vegans, they make people think about where food actually comes from.”

In terms of ingredients, the delicious Indian cottage cheese, paneer, is expected to see a rise in popularity and use, and you can also expect to hear a lot more about the new superfood, moringa, which has many health benefits and can be added to smoothies, sauces, or desserts.

Another trend that you will probably notice, according to food experts, is a revival of some classic dishes of yesteryear, as there is a renewed interest in nostalgia and sentimentality in the food world.

Experts also reckon that mocktails are making a strong comeback in 2022, which is great news for anyone planning on doing Dry January!