Like every trend, the latest ‘best thing’ in Food and drink is always changing. But what should you be adding to your shopping list in 2018?

Check out the best food and drink trends and how you can get on board from Suttons, online gardening retailers and suppliers of seed potatoes

Mushrooms

Mushrooms are growing rapidly in popularity. Studies have shown that many types of mushroom are good for you as they produce ‘adaptogenic’ compounds, which reportedly have anti-stress and anti-cancer qualities.

Food Navigator found that year-on-year sales of food products that include medicinal mushrooms have risen between an outstanding 200-800%, depending on the variety, while consulting firm, Grand View Research, predicted that the mushroom market will grow beyond £37 million over the next six years. Making its way into the food and drink sector through mushroom-infused coffees and mushroom smoothies, many cafes and retailers are already profiting from the trend.

Even hair and skincare products are getting in on the trend. Different species of mushrooms are chosen for their varying properties — for example, shiitake mushrooms are known for their richness in antioxidants and high vitamin D content, and the reishi mushroom is selected for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Opting to Drink Healthily

Drinking alcohol is a popular pastime for many adults in the UK, however, it seems that we’re getting more health-conscious and concerned about calorie intake from liquids in 2018. So, expect healthy drinking — from alcohol to soft drinks — to be a major new trend.

Currently, you can get a low-calorie beer which is proving popular, and low-calorie cocktails are also making waves. Now, 78% of bars offer cocktails which are up 12% on 2016 — driven by social media and people’s willingness to post photos of their fancy drinks. Zach Sasser, a head bartender, predicts that ingredients such as beetroot juice, kale, and pureed carrots will be popular:“Going into this health-conscious age that we live in, I believe integration is inevitable,” he said.

We could also see stereotypically healthy ingredients included in our alcoholic drinks. In one survey conducted by the National Restaurant Association, 700 chefs were surveyed on what they think the latest culinary trends may be. They said that the relationship between the bar and the kitchen is to become stronger. Can we expect vegetable-infused cocktails in 2018?

‘Flexitarianism’

It’s clear that veganism and vegetarianism are rising in polarity — expect this to increase further throughout 2018 and beyond. The number of vegans in the UK has risen by 350% in the past decade — predominantly driven by the younger market, with half of those opting for this diet falling between the ages of 15 and 34. Some people are enjoying the best of both worlds with a flexitarian diet — primarily vegetarian with meat and fish occasionally.

However, some people think that being vegan means eating a very strict diet of plain, super-healthy food — but it’s predicted that this could all change. With so many people transforming into a ‘flexitarian’ diet, there is a new market for vegan fast food. This may include seeing more of plant-based ‘meat’, such as the innovation that Leonardo DiCaprio has invested in called ‘Beyond Meat’. Expect to see other indulgent food too, such as extravagant vegan desserts and vegan fried food.

Buying Domestic Food

Due to the uncertainties surrounding prices following Brexit, it’s no shock to learn that people may be more inclined to grow their own produce to cut costs. Brexit is already changing our views on food shopping. In April 2017, one in five said that they were more likely to buy British food after leaving the EU to support the economy. However, this was dependent on pricing, and if prices rise, many will go for cheaper alternatives.

Unfortunately, the price of fruit and vegetable increased in 2016. Can we risk facing these soaring prices again? Now, keen and amateur gardeners are heading to their backyards to plant their own vegetables and it’s expected that this trend will continue.

Protein from Plants

Instagram is a fantastic source of inspiration and advertising when it comes to healthy foods and drinks — especially protein-boosting smoothies. Finely ground tea leaves, matcha and powdered super vegetables such as kale, spirulina and spinach have been popular, too — their texture making it easy to add to soups, smoothies, and salads. Registered dietician, Abbey Sharpe, explains their popularity:“I think people love a quick way to get in their healthy-eating fix, and powdered substances are seen as easy ways to pack in nutrition.”

In 2018, it’s anticipated that there’ll be a rise in plant-based proteins, particularly for people working out. One of the newest forms of this is pea protein, which has many benefits including its neutral taste — making it favorable for regular consumption.

Sources

• http://www.kim-pearson.com/healthy-food-trends-2018.html
• https://artofhealthyliving.com/healthy-food-trends-2018/
• https://yougov.co.uk/news/2017/04/18/brexit-drives-brits-buy-british-only-if-price-righ/
• http://www.growingproduce.com/vegetables/7-food-trends-on-the-front-burner-for-2018/
• http://time.com/5009528/whole-foods-2018-food-trend-report/
• http://www.cga.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/CGA-2017-Drinks-Trends-to-watch.pdf
• http://www.cga.co.uk/2017/02/03/201723counting-the-costs-in-fruit-and-veg/
• https://www.thestar.com/life/food_wine/analysis/2018/01/02/mushrooms-matcha-and-cheese-foam-your-2018-food-trends.html
• https://www.fastcompany.com/40511575/the-shroom-boom-will-trendy-medicinal-mushrooms-go-mainstream-in-2018
• http://www.restaurant.org/News-Research/News/Well-drink-to-that-Top-5-alcohol-trends-for-2018

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