The Top 5 Food Trends for 2011

Abundance might be the word that best describes NASFT’s recent Winter Fancy Food Show, which filled the Moscone Center in San Francisco for three days of taste testing and indulging. No attendee at the trade-only event was at a loss for variety: from chocolate to cheese, salty snacks to high-end sauces, every food group got fair representation. The arrant selection even within food groups made our stomachs flip.

Fortunately, NASFT handpicked a panel of industry experts to brave the aisles and samples, and sniff out emerging trends in food.

Here are their top 5 food trends for 2011

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• Chocolate for Breakfast: Cocoa-infused teas, hot chocolate on a stick, Belgian Waffles, granola and more will make your sweet tooth rise and shine.
• Healing Foods: Many foods are highlighting their healing powers—ancient herbal teas, mineral-infused waters, aloe and cucumber drinks, and microbatches of other healthful beverages.
• New Noodles: Basic dough gets a flavorful, healthful upgrade with yam, kelp, farro and spelt.
• Heat with Flavor: Ghost peppers and yuzu-wasabi sauce are just a few of the concoctions that will blaze and satisfy your palate.
• Creative Chips: Potatoes seem passé when you have crispy chips made from pinto beans, naan, peas, mung beans, kale or wild rice.

 
With something to invigorate every meal and snack in your day, the only challenge lies in deciding which to try first. —Eva Meszaros

Click the following link to view full coverage: Winter Fancy Food Show

Eva Meszaros is the associate editor of foodspring.com
 and author of foodspring’s food for thought blog.

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