As we usher in a new year, we always find it entertaining to poke a little fun at the food fads and trends that happened during the previous year. In 2018, there was no shortage of bizarre diet fads, crazy fusion recipes, and over-the-top comfort foods. Some fads peaked and fizzled, some crazes were just plain wacky while other trends are still on the rise. Here’s our top 10 funny food fads to feast on:
Hot Dog Water and a Teenie Weenie Disclaimer
At a food festival in Vancouver, one of the vendors sold hot dog water with claims that it had the right mix of hydration that could beat the summer heat. The crowds literally drank it up! But in the end, the hot dog water stand was only a rouse to draw attention to the growing trends of expensive hydrogen water and “encourage critical thinking related to product marketing and the significant role it can play in our purchasing choices.”
Lights out on Unicorn and Rainbow Foods, There’s a Wild Fire on Activated Charcoal
Almost every food possible went a little dark and sinister in 2018. Activated charcoal was added to both food and beverages, from bread, ice cream, waffles, pizza, burgers, fish and chips to lattes, lemonade and cocktails. Even candy gummies couldn’t escape the craze! This Instagram-worthy detox fad may be going up in smoke in 2019 as medical professionals are questioning the health benefits of this food additive. And fade to black!
Juicing to Souping
Seems like everyone that was juicing in 2017 got hungry in 2018 so they stepped up to souping! Instead of juice cleansing, cleansing on vegetable soups grew popular in 2018 as a way to lose weight and eat clean. From green goddess detox soups to creamy pureed pink beet soups, Pinterest was bubbling over with souping recipes! Makes you wonder if there might be an appetite for stewing in 2019?
Veto on the Keto?
Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest were loaded with talk, images, and posts about the low carb, high fat keto diet. It was the most googled diet in 2018! Low carb bacon and butter recipes were all the rage for those searching for their optimum state of ketosis. They were obsessed with getting their body to burn stored fat for fuel so they could melt away the pounds. Time will only tell if the keto craze will stay on trend or “fat” bomb in 2019.
Super Powdered Foods: Just add water!
An easy way to boost flavor, energy, and nutrition, powdered superfoods were crushing it in 2018. Ever popular turmeric, matcha, spirulina powders are still trending. While almond butter, yogurt, kale, and honey powders are gaining traction and being used in coffees, smoothies, soups, bars, cookies and more. But will pulverizing protein-rich crickets make them more palatable to the masses? In 2019 will we be chirping about gluten-free pumpkin spiced cricket soy lattes?
Cheers to Beer Ramen!
Beer Ramen was hip on the menu last year at Yuu Japanese Ramen in Richmond, British Columbia. It was a hopped-up cold noodle dish that was fashioned to look like a pint. Served in a beer mug, wheat noodles were crafted in a bonito broth and topped with an egg white foam. Will beer ramen be drafted at your local gastropub any time soon or will this clever food fad tank?
I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream
Ice cream parlors were churning out some unexpected and wacky flavors in 2018. There was stinky durian fruit, Swiss cheese, pizza, ranch dressing, red wine-chocolate chip, Thanksgiving, green chilli and lobster. What ice cream flavor created the most buzz of last year? The winner was refreshing, creamy and tangy… pickle juice!
Please Do-Nut Go Crazy!
Bakeries around the world were just as creative with donuts. There were yam donuts, cherry blossom donuts, pizza donuts, and Thai Milk tea donuts. There were donuts filled with eggnog, chili, cheesecake, fried noodles, and kimchi. In China, they were topped with dried pork and seaweed donuts. While in Indonesia you could order a dozen chocolate frosted donuts, rolled in vanilla crème and sprinkled with shredded Parmesan cheese. Sounds gouda to us! 😉
High Times for Cannabis Infused Food and Drink
As Canada and more US states are legalizing marijuana, demand is growing like weeds for sweet and savory CBD edible creations. Cannabis is enhancing alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages including wine, beer, cocktails, smoothies, coffees, and sparkling tonics. And professional chefs are infusing cannabis into lobster risotto, steak tartare, sushi, burgers, baked goods, chocolates, and candies. This budding industry in 2018 means that profits can only get higher and higher in 2019.
What is le tacro, señor?
Another cross breed of foods that was trending in 2018 was the taco-croissant in San Francisco at Vive La Tarte restaurant. They were serving up “tacros” filled with pulled pork and pineapple, chicken and avocado, vegetarian barbecued jackfruit and hoping to add more even flavors to their menu. Tacro Tuesday anyone?
Trying to discern which new food fads and trends to take advantage of in 2019? As the number one service provider in North America, we can help you stay ahead of the curve! Find out why over 720 brands from around the world choose THP for their content creation and social media ad campaigns. Our 100% on-demand model means you only buy what you need when you need it. No retainers. No long term contracts.
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