It’s kinda hard to keep up with the food scene these days, what with dishes blowing up over night thanks to Instagram, and the sheer volume of new food trends available is amazing.
Some of the current trends across the waters are a little too out there for our tastes (like yes, we get that bugs have protein…But still, bugs?!), but these 10 are sure to take over Ireland before the year is out.
With a focus on feel-good eating, pretty plating and cooking up different cultural cuisines, these trends are well worth the taste.
1. Purple Vegetables
You’ll soon be seeing a LOT more of this colour on your plates. Purple veggies, such as purple asparagus, elderberries, acai, purple sweet potatoes, purple corn and cereal, are high in antioxidants – and they look gorge.
Top tip: Ube, a purple yam from the Philipines, gives an incredible natural colour to ice-cream!
Cubed purple potatoes
2. Anti-waste cooking
In the latest attempt to cut down on the colossal amount of food waste the world produces, cooking styles like nose-to-tail (using every single part of the animal), and root-to-stem (carrot greens are great in juice!), all help.
Leftover cafes have even popped up in London and NYC, and apps that allow that allow people to order leftover restaurant food that would have been thrown out.
3. Jackfruit – the new meat alternative
This sorta funky smelling South Asian fruit is the next big thing to use as a meat substitute. Why? Well the fruit’s flesh absorbs the flavour of almost anything you cook with, and it has a meaty texture quite like pulled pork.
Full of fiber, the only downside is that it lacks in protein, so add some pulses.
4. Peruvian cuisine
This has been big in the US for a couple years now, but it’s only starting to make its way over to us. Food from Peru has an eclectic mix of flavours, the main ingredients being: Ajà (chili pepper), potatoes, choclo (Peruvian corn), huacatay (culinary herb better known as black mint) and limes.
Top dishes include squid ceviches, and anticuchos – skewers of grilled, marinated meat. Divine.
5. Drone Delivery
The future is now people – food delivered by drones is on the cards. Just Eat recently trialled a land-based robot that could navigate the streets and deliver food alone, and Dominos have even delivered a pizza by aerial drone in New Zealand.
Might take a while, but at least it’s one less person you’ve to talk to when you’re dying from a hangover and just want some grub.
Image credit: Just Eat
6. Arabic Influences
As Ireland gets more multi-cultural, we’ll benefit from the sharing and tasting of other countries foods. Syrian cuisine will get a big look in, with UNICEF backed recipe books trying to preserve refugees home culture.Â
In Dublin, pop-up Our Table introduced people to tasty Middle Eastern treats. Think flat breads with flavoursome meat, and Kibbeh bil sanieh -Syria’s national dish of minced meat and burghul.
7. Cactus Water
Yeah we know, coconut water is great ‘n all, but wait til you try its new rival: Cactus water. It has a light, berry taste, and prickly pear cactus is the only fruit which contains all 24 known betalains (powerful antioxidants, like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus).
Which means it’s SO GOOD for you! P.s Watermelon water will also be your BFF.
8. Dosha Dining
Based on the ancient Indian medical system Ayurveda, dosha dining focuses on wellbeing and is a holistic approach to eating. Meals focus on ingredients that reduce inflammation and improve energy and stamina.
A key ingredient here is tumeric, and freshly prepared, organic meals.
9. Filipino Kinilaw
Translating literally as ‘eaten raw’, Kinilaw is mega tasty, raw seafood dish native to the Philippines, similar to ceviche.
It relies on soaking fish in vinegar to “cook” it, which pickles the seafood and turns it opaque. Tuna is usually used, but mahi-mahi and even salmon taste great in it. A splash of coconut milk in the dish makes it nice and creamy <3
10. Unicorn Toast
Probably the most Instagrammable trend, we’ve seen unicorn cakes and even an entire unicorn themed cafe in Bangkok. Now though, the latest thing is unicorn toast and it is heavenly.
By adding beetroot juice, turmeric roots, fruit powder and even blue algae to cream cheese, you can swirl the colours like paint on your toast. So pretty!
Which food trend are you most looking forward to? Let us know!
We Sat Down For An AMA This Week With Irish Lifestyle And Fitness Legend, Rob Lipsett…
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