The future of food

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Posted at 3:40PM, 04 January 2011 by Carol Wilson - Food writer

What will the new trends be in food and cooking for 2011?

Research carried out by the Regional Food Group for the Yorkshire and Humber region predicts that due to the ongoing economic crisis, we're going to be enjoying more home baking, with a bias towards 'nostalgic' foods, traditional favourites and old-fashioned flavours like caraway, the distinctive flavouring of the Victorian speciality Seed cake.

Another effect of the economic situation is that we're going to continue to eat at home, rather than going out to restaurants, so will be exploring flavoursome cuisines from around the world, particularly Mexico, India , Indonesia , and South East Asia. Although we'll be tightening our belts, we'll still want to treat ourselves to small luxuries, so there'll be more interest in the different types and flavours of fine chocolate and speciality teas for instance.

We'll be more concerned with what we're eating and where it comes from

We'll be more concerned with what we're eating and where it comes from and want more product information. We're also going to be aware of healthy foods, provenance (good news for small specialist producers!) sustainability and animal welfare issues, according to the Leatherhead Food Research Organisation .

Probiotic foods that benefit digestive health and more functional foods that promote general health will be at the forefront; one example is a leading brand of chewing gum with added vitamin C and ginseng, which is due to be launched this year. As part of this trend, there'll be more innovative, 'healthy' foods along the lines of the 'super fruits' acai berry and yumberry. Apparently, the 'next big thing' in the foodie world is set to be coconut water - with many celebrities already praising its low calorie content and its ability to boost the immune system.

New Year is always a boom time for slimming diets, but as the rise of obesity continues apace, food manufacturers will be reducing the amounts of fat, salt, sugar and additives in convenience foods. Our busy lives mean that the demand for convenience foods will continue, but we want them to be 'healthier'. The tide is finally turning against products full of additives with very long shelf lives.

Which foods do you think will be popular in 2011?

Comments

RunYourOwnRestaurant.com

5 January 2011, 3:50PM
RunYourOwnRestaurant.com

According the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/25/us/25sweet.html) the sweet potato is going to be the must-have vegetable of 2011!

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smitty

11 January 2011, 4:49PM
smitty

I'll definitely be doing more home baking. I hate shop bought cakes- especially scones- they're always very dry.

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AnnaG

15 January 2011, 4:30PM
AnnaG

The words 'food' and 'industry' are depressing when used together. It's the 'food industry' that are responsible for the obesity problem in the first place by pumping foods full of fat and sugar to make them taste nice. Once you wean yourself off these overly fatty and sweet foods you actually find them unpleasant. If people took the time and trouble to prepare their own food we wouldn't have so much of an obesity problem. In our house we only eat bread we make (so we know what's in it) and food we prepare ourselves from raw ingredients. We certainly don't stint on the helpings, but we are a long way from obese!

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