Produce stands in as a flavor supplement in vegetarian dishes
Implications - Vegetarianism is at an all-time high in North America, meaning mass-produced meat-free products need to be more enticing. Thus, bloggers and chefs are using fruits such as berries as a way to add interesting flavor to meatless dishes. This speaks to a desire for enhancements, as opposed to replacements, in all aspects of the health food movement.
Trend Themes
1. Fruit-based Flavor Enhancers - Chefs and bloggers are utilizing fruits like strawberries to enhance the flavor of vegetarian dishes, appealing to a desire for enhancements in all aspects of the health food movement.
2. Creative and Accessible Appetizers - Recipes such as goat cheese balls with mixed nuts and berries or tomato-based sushi are easy to put together for busy, on-the-go people, and meld popular food items into new concoctions.
3. Innovative Meat Substitutes - Restaurants like fresh&co are integrating unexpected produce ingredients like Roma tomatoes to create plant-based meat alternatives that offer umami flavor and are appealing to foodies looking for new, innovative foods in the market.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - The trends in the health food movement are inspiring new and creative dishes, appetizers and meat substitutes that offer unique flavors and nutritional benefits.
2. Plant-based Alternatives - Restaurants and bloggers are experimenting with plant-based meat alternatives that utilize produce, mushrooms, eggplant, and jackfruit to appeal to vegans, vegetarians and foodies alike.
3. Convenience Foods - The emphasis on creating appetizers and snacks that are easy to put together for busy, on-the-go individuals is leading to innovative and accessible recipes like fruit salsas and creative toast combinations.
