Every year triggers a feeding frenzy of trend forecasts. The big buffet of data and intel, however tempting, offers so many contrasting perspectives and overlapping opinions that it all can become a blur.
So we’ve stepped up to the plate and done the digging for you, distilling down an array of forecasts into digestible data points and bite-sized insights to help you stay ahead of the curve in the new year. Here’s a quick read on a few key trends that are sure to pick up speed in 2024 and beyond.
Click each trend listed below to quickly jump for more info:
Examples of companies using precision fermentation include Perfect Day, New Culture and Change Foods for their animal-free dairy proteins, Impossible Foods heme protein and Onego Bio, who is producing the first animal-free egg white protein, Bioalbumen™ (pictured to the left).
With an estimated value of $2.3 billion in 2023, the global market for precision fermentation-based ingredients is projected to grow and exceed $30 billion by 2030.
Earlier this year, several global companies founded the Precision Fermentation Alliance to help champion the technology as a trusted solution for a more resilient and sustainable food system.
An integral part of sustainability in the food industry, upcycling — or the repurposing of byproducts and discarded ingredients — has become increasingly prevalent.
Over a third of all food produced with an estimated worth of $230 billion is lost or wasted each year. Upcycling enables companies and consumers to produce delicious and nutritious products from food remnants that would otherwise go to waste. The budding upcycled food market is projected to grow 5% annually, with brands like Upcycled Foods Inc., which produces snack bars, pasta and other items made from spent grains, leading the charge.
Expect flavors with a wellness halo like ginger, lemongrass and turmeric to be in high demand as the desire for healthy choices continues to influence flavor development. Functional foods and beverages continue to gain popularity as a form of preventative health care, with 64% of consumers describing their approach to health as proactive.
According to Jasmin Masri, technical sales and marketing coordinator for Custom Flavors, authentic fruit flavors are trending — especially flavor profiles such as black raspberry, goji-strawberry combinations and açai-cherry blends. “Juicy and sweet berry combinations are stealing the spotlight,” she said.
“I believe we are moving away from the plant-based meats of the world,” says Chef Sydney Yocum of consultancy Creative Food Solutions. “I think that once people actually read the ingredients they realize that it is full of fillers and preservatives.”
Trend researcher Hanni Rützler, one of Europe’s foremost food experts, predicts that heightened climate and environmental consciousness and the ethical rejection of mass meat production, especially among younger consumers, will make plant-based food a major trend for 2024.
Mushrooms and algae are growing in popularity and potential as plant sources of protein. Nutrient-dense, protein-rich and efficient to grow, mushrooms have a natural meaty taste and texture, unlike other plant-based substitutes that require more processing. Algae is trending as a superfood that can be grown in water, with no need for agricultural land and a market size estimated to reach $18 billion by 2033.
Whole Foods Market forecasts that “Put the ‘Plant’ Back in Plant-Based” will be a top trend in 2024 as labels shrink and simplified options gain traction. “We’re seeing new and emerging protein-forward products with mushrooms, walnuts, tempeh and legumes in place of complex meat alternatives,” the specialty supermarket for natural and organic foods reports. “Even plant-based milk alternatives are participating, with some brands simplifying labels to just two ingredients — perfect for the vegetarian purist.”
“No beaks, no feathers, no hooves ... no coops, no poops ... no animal rights protesters,” asserts Baum + Whiteman. “(The meat industry contributes to about 30% of the world’s greenhouse gasses.) Lab-grown meat is gaining kosher and halal approvals, including pork, maybe. Even some vegetarians are open-minded.”
Rützler also cites lab-grown (aka “cultured”) meat for its potential as a source of more sustainable food production. Mewery, for example, is a European startup cultivating pork meat with a proprietary microalgae base (pictured left).
While sales of plant-based foods may have lagged, technological advancements could lead manufacturers to replicate the taste and textures of meats more closely while improving cost efficiencies — a development that could revitalize the segment in 2024.
Mintel found that 38% of U.S. consumers surveyed overall like flavors that remind them of their childhood — a percentage that rises to 44% for men aged 35-54 and 41% for males 55 and older.
Datassential research reveals a strong taste for nostalgia as well, with 57% of survey participants expressing interest in nostalgic desserts.1 And the trend holds true for younger demographics too. Sixty-two percent of Gen Zers gravitate to desserts like Viennetta ice cream cake that were hits in the ’90s.2
As a result, we can expect fresh spins on old favorites to strike an appealing balance between nostalgia and novelty. Jaime Lynn Lawrence, R&D application scientist for the flavor innovation company Flavor Insights, cites Rocket Pop, rainbow sherbet, s’mores and dipped waffle cone as nostalgic flavors poised for 2024 prominence.
“We will continue to see more comfort nostalgic flavors and blurring of these flavors, such as alcoholic flavors inspiring sweet and savory foods, [and] dessert-inspired flavors in beverages and meals,” said Soumya Nair, global consumer research and insights director for Kerry Group.
IFT cites Fuchs’ Back-to-Basics Collection of seasonings, which intensifies the five basic tastes of sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami, as a forerunner of a new wave of swicy flavors to trend in 2024.
When it comes to complex spice, Whole Foods Market cites the growing popularity of global peppers as an example of this trend. “Specialty varieties like Scorpion Peppers, Guajillo or Hungarian Goathorn Peppers are found fresh, whole, ground or pickled, and a new wave of botana sauces and chili oils are popping up in condiment aisles nationwide,” the retailer reports. Pepper-infused drinks like canned tepache and Tajín-spiced grocery store sushi are other examples of bolder and broader applications for heat.
We are now witnessing it all come to fruition, as these cooks are now chef-owners of some of the world’s hottest restaurants; being recognized by publications like The New York Times and Michelin Guide.
“While food trends like kimchi, gochujang and of course, Korean barbecue are ubiquitous on menus across the country in numerous facets of the food industry,” says Chef Ben Lee of Creative Food Solutions. “I feel other Korean ingredients and cooking techniques will become mainstream as food trends set the gold standard approach to the rise of this culture’s cuisine.”
Artificial intelligence is at the top of everyone’s minds. And its ability to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions based on their food preferences and dietary needs cannot be overstated. It’s why companies like Wendy’s are enhancing and personalizing their operations for the consumer by automating the drive-thru experience with AI.
The market research firm Mintel foresees AI taking augmented reality to a new level as a tool to help consumers streamline meal planning, shopping and cooking.
“In the next few years, as AR hardware becomes more sophisticated and less expensive, a key function of food and drink brands will be to guide users through day-to-day activities such as cooking, providing instructions in front of their eyes during tasks and alerting them to any missteps or imminent complications,” said Ayisha Koyenikan, associate director, Mintel Food & Drink.3
In a nutshell, trends tied to wellness, sustainability and technology and the interrelations between them will loom large in 2024. As always, innovation is key as brands and manufacturers continue to adapt to an ever-evolving business landscape.
To stay on top of food and beverage brand and marketing trends, be sure to subscribe to The Front Burner, our agency e-newsletter packed with info to keep you in the know. Crave custom culinary solutions? Reach out to our food innovation consultancy, Creative Food Solutions.
1 Datassential, Foodbytes: 2024 Trends, 2023
2 Datassential, Foodbytes: Dessert Decadence, 2023
3 Mintel, 2024 Global Food & Drink Trends Report, 2023