The ever-shifting patterns of what people love to eat make exploring food trends for 2022 a thrilling prospect.
If 2020 saw the rise of home delivery and 2021 brought a return to dining out, what might food trends for 2022 have in store for home cooking, popular ingredients, beloved beverages and beyond.
Urban Farm Produce
Addressing the issue of urban food deserts, growing ultra-urban farm produce as a food trend in 2022 will bring fresh foods to places where it’s needed the most.
With options for local community gardens, kitchen crops and home-based hydroponics, there’s a world of novel growing methods to be explored — from rooftops to backyards to balconies. And every option provides critical access to healthy ingredients grown in responsible ways.
Climate-Conscious Foods
Sustainability will continue as an element of many food trends in 2022, just as it was a key food trend of 2021. The availability of ingredients farmed responsibly with lower impact growing methods will expand the movement in important ways.
Leading the charge: grains and other crops grown with concern for soil health, creating an easier environment for continued cultivation. Increasing interest in plant-forward dining will also carry forward the idea of careful cuisine. And the explosion of non-meat protein alternatives continuing into next year will highlight a desire for mindful options among the many food trends of 2022.
Island Flavors
A splash of tropical sunshine will add some much-needed joy to our eating habits next year! Look for a fusion of traditional and island ingredients to create a food trend in 2022.
A rise in popular picks such as pineapple and passionfruit, as well as more adventurous options like coconut curry and Caribbean spices, will help turn simple dishes into unique experiences. And beverage flavors taking a turn toward the floral and fruity will help make the new year an escape to paradise.
Spicy Bakes
Heating up traditional sweet bakes with chipotle, cayenne and other hot spices will set food trends in 2022 on fire! You’ll see heated flavor favorites like Mexican hot chocolate, mango habanero and chili raspberry popping up in the form of cakes, cookies and pies. It’s an earthy element that brings a sense of gourmet theater to all sorts of baked goods.
Reducetarian Eating
As noted by Cambridge University Press, it's well documented that excessive meat consumption, especially red and processed meats, has damaging effects on our health and environment. Limiting your consumption of animal-based foods is at the heart of the reducetarian movement. Rather than going fully vegan or vegetarian, this food trend for 2022 embraces thoughtful moderation. It’s a great transition for mindful diners working toward a more environmentally conscious way of eating.
