Each summer, we typically witness an explosion of new food trends, which restaurants and food vendors need to keep tabs on. These summer food trends present exciting opportunities to revamp menus and provide new culinary experiences to customers.
Here are the new food trends for summer 2023.
1. Locally Sourced Ingredients
Customers value locally sourced ingredients. A recent survey by the National Restaurant Association showed that 38% of customers prefer restaurants that serve dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.
Not only are locally sourced ingredients indicative of freshness and quality, but they also enable customers to support local businesses and suppliers.
This is a superb way to collaborate with local suppliers, which could even lead to reduced costs in some cases. Moreover, customers are likely willing to pay more for higher-quality, traceable ingredients.
2. Vegan Barbeques
According to data from The Vegan Society, there was a 46% increase in demand for plant-based food in 2022, and this trend shows no sign of slowing down.
Summer 2023 will see a surge in vegan barbeques, with plant-based substitutes like jackfruit, tofu, and a variety of vegetables taking center stage.
Finding new and innovative ways to cook vegan meals will help you tap into the ever-growing vegan market. What better way to do that for summer than with BBQ vegan food?
3. Hybrid Dishes
Another trend sparking interest is hybrid cuisine, combining elements from two different types of food to create something fresh and unique. Some 41% of consumers are interested in trying new culinary styles.
This concept goes beyond traditional fusion cooking by creating entirely new dishes, such as sushi burritos or ramen burgers.
The possibilities here are near-limitless, with popular tried-and-tested examples like chicken waffles to risky and leftfield combinations like ice-cream stuffed bagels and pizza hot dogs.
4. Health Boosting Beverages
Health-focused beverages are becoming the norm, with the global functional drinks market expected to reach $350 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research.
Drinks like cold-brewed green tea with turmeric or smoothies blended with exotic fruits and collagen are becoming increasingly popular.
Offering a selection of these health-boosting beverages on your menu can cater to the growing market of health-conscious customers.
5. Plant-Based Seafood Alternatives
Following the success of plant-based meat alternatives, there’s a rising interest in plant-based seafood substitutes. This includes products like plant-based shrimp, crab, and even caviar, made from ingredients such as legumes, vegetables, and algae.
A report by Global Market Insights predicts that the plant-based seafood market will reach $1.3 billion by 2032, indicating the potential for growth in this area. Adding these options to your menu can cater to both vegan and vegetarian consumers and those interested in making sustainable food choices.
6. Zero Waste
The zero-waste packaging market is expected to grow by 13.6% before 2026.
Embracing zero-waste practices is an excellent way to tap into the sustainability movement, and again, customers are likely to pay a premium for genuine zero-waste products.
Conversely, single-use plastics and products that waste packaging are off-putting and should be avoided. Instead, find creative ways to cut packaging and advertise this to customers.
7. Fermented Foods
With increased awareness of gut health, fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha, and kefir are gaining popularity.
According to Yahoo, the global fermented foods and drinks market is projected to grow by 7% before 2027. Incorporating these foods into your offerings meets the demand for gut-friendly health foods. The kombucha market is particularly strong and expected to grow by 17% before 2027.
8. Low-Alcohol and Alcohol-Free Drinks
Driven by a focus on wellness and healthier choices, the popularity of low-alcohol and alcohol-free beverages are rising.
The global non-alcoholic beer market is expected to reach $28 billion by 2024, according to a report by Global Market Insights.
Offering mocktails and non-alcoholic beers is essential to cater to consumers looking for healthier yet tasty drink options. In addition, innovative alcohol-free beverages are becoming more diverse and creative, so there’s definitely room to come up with something fresh and exciting here.
9. Lesser-Known Asian Cuisines
While staples of Asian cuisines like sushi, pad thai, and dim sum remain ever-popular, there’s a growing trend towards exploring lesser-known Asian cuisines.
Restaurants are experimenting with dishes from regions such as the Philippines, Malaysia, Burma, and lesser-known parts of China and India.
Food Trends for Summer 2023: Summary
In the ever-changing culinary landscape, staying abreast of the latest trends can give your restaurant or food brand a competitive edge.
The rise of veganism, healthy food without compromising flavor, locally sourced ingredients, and low-packaging options will shape summer food trends 2023. Off-piste trends range from plant-based seafood to hybrid cuisine.
With the right food and drink trends, you can effectively catch your customer’s attention this summer and innovate to deliver new culinary experiences.
