MenuData

New #foodtrends Newsletter! From "premiumization" to the evolution of "value" among consumers, explore this year's macro-trends and the #specialtyfood products responding to them.

Filipino cuisine is gaining serious steam. Recent consumer research indicates Filipino cuisine is especially resonating with young consumers. “Filipino food is gaining popularity in the U.S. largely due to the increasing influence and visibility of the Filipino-American community, which is the fastest-growing among the Asian-American and Pacific Islander population,” said Billy Dec, CEO of Sunda New Asian restaurants. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are about 4.2 million Filipino Americans. Popular dishes like kare kara and Filipino stews are seeing significant growth. Additionally, Filipino ingredients like ube (a purple yam) are sweetening up desserts these days; MenuData research found that, in Q4 2024, ube experienced 484% retail quarterly growth. “As more people discover the vibrant and evolving nature of Filipino food, it’s becoming a genre that food lovers are eager to explore,” Dec said. #FilipinoFood #GenZTrends #AsianAmerican #culinarytrends #culturalinfluence?

Expo West 2025 was another fantastic show filled with excitement and innovation. What really stood out this year were products and brands that emphasized authenticity and transparency. Protein is the biggest theme this year that spanned across categories.?There has been a clear shift towards embracing natural goodness, brands are no longer hiding sugar or ingredients. Rather, they are opting for cane sugar, honey or coconut sugar and moving away from sugar substitutes like stevia and monk fruit which have dominated the market over the past few years.??? This year transparency, family connections and product journey were key. Brands are sharing more about farming practices and consumers are demanding more honesty in both the operations and what goes into their food.? ? The Expo West 2025 demonstrated that the industry is moving towards a much more balanced approach towards health , where consumers can enjoy their favorite comfort foods, knowing exactly what’s going in them and not sacrificing on taste.??Full article link ?? https://lnkd.in/gHR3w3uC

These days, consumers are snacking smarter. In that spirit, many consumers are looking to incorporate more protein in their diet between meals. A new consumer survey conducted by the Chomps meat-stick brand revealed that consumers seek out protein-rich snacks 36% of the time. Additionally, protein-forward snacks are growing 3x faster than the overall snacking category. Here’s another noteworthy stat: 34% of protein-snack consumers are Gen Zers or Millennials – which is +17% since 2019. Brands putting protein on display in snacks these days include: Painterland Sisters with its Organic Skyr Yogurt, 365 by Whole Foods Market and its Hot Smoked Atlantic Salmon Snack Cubes, and Good Culture with its Cottage Cheese, as noted by Whole Foods. “Consumers are actively seeking high-quality, protein-forward, and real ingredient snack options,” noted Matt Landen, Chomps’ SVP of Business Development, in a press release. “… New consumer groups – especially Millennials, Gen Z, and women – are embracing protein snacks in new ways. This is not just a trend; this is a permanent shift in how people snack.” #protein #healthysnacking #foodtrends2025 #wellness #snacks Whole Foods Market Chomps Painterland Sisters good culture

Saffron has become a golden ingredient. The spice – which is derived from a flower known as the “saffron crocus” and features a sweet and musky flavor – is intriguing chefs and farmers alike. These days, farms stretching from Vermont to California are growing saffron, as it is increasingly demanded by chefs for dishes like paella and beverages such as saffron lemonade, as noted by The New York Times. MenuData has taken note of restaurant chains leaning into the trend, too, like CAVA utilizing saffron spice in dishes such as grain bowls. The global saffron market, which was valued at $580 million in 2023, is projected to reach $797.4 million by 2032, driven by rising demand for natural ingredients in food products, health supplements, and more, according to a report by Skyquest. The spice is prized in part because it is high in antioxidants. Saffron also happens to be the world’s most expensive spice. It can sell for as much as $100 per gram! #spice?#culinarytrends #foodinnovation #gourmet #health The New York Times CAVA

Cava continues to gain significant momentum. According to Placer.ai, the Mediterranean restaurant chain’s foot traffic grew nearly 27% year-over-year during Q4 2024, and in January visits were up 28.8%. Cava has also delivered impressive same-store sales growth of late. For the period ended Dec. 29, the fast-casual chain’s same-store sales rose 21.2%, according to The Motley Fool. By all accounts, Cava’s growth has been buoyed by its introduction of grilled steak last summer, as well as its use of AI video technology at some locations to aid digital order accuracy. It’s understandable, then, that the fast-casual chain’s adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) surged 60% year over year to $25.1 million. Now Cava, which has 367 locations, plans to open no less than 62 new locations in 2025, entering markets such as South Florida. Clearly, Cava’s sizzling success shows no signs of slowing. … #restaurants #mediterranean #cava #financialnews CAVA #menudata?

Crunch could very well be the texture of 2025. Crunch is a top food trend to watch this year, according to Whole Foods. From fermented nuts to roasted chickpeas, food manufacturers, chefs, and consumers are increasingly reaching for these items to enhance meals and add texture. Brands are also creating crunchier forms of chili crisp. Dehydrated fruits and candy have become prevalent on social media, as consumers increasingly appreciate a light, airy crunch. The trend is apparent in beverages and desserts these days, too, like crème br?lée espresso martinis for example. In Frito-Lay U.S.’s 2022 Trend Index, 70% of respondents said they opt for something crunchy when choosing a snack. Additionally, food scientists have found that crunchy textures can make food taste fresher, as noted by gvwire. Brands putting crunch on display these days include Whole Foods with its Organic Spicy Sesame Garlic Crunch, Fly By Jing with its Chengdu Crunch, as well as GoodSAM with its Crispy Crunchy Pineapple Chips. It would appear the crunch craze is gathering momentum. … #crunch #crunchiness #texture #foodtrends #snacks Whole Foods Market FLY BY JING GoodSAM, PBC

Discover the Future of Health & Wellness 3.0: New Report Highlights Key Consumer Trends As we step into the new year, consumers’ focus on "Health & Wellness 3.0" is reshaping industry standards. This in-depth and insightful new report delves into the surge in demand for premium products, global flavors, and exceptional value. Stay ahead of the curve by exploring these pivotal trends driving the future of health and wellness: https://lnkd.in/eAfDCjYX Specialty Food Association #health #wellness #foodtrends

As the Natural Products Expo West 2025 event gets underway next week – bringing the natural, organic, and healthy lifestyle industry together – here’s one such ingredient that is noticeably trending of late: chia seeds. Chia seeds, native to Mexico, are starting to attain worldwide fame. When researching share of menu percentages at U.S. restaurants, MenuData found that chia seeds (38.9%) were the most popular functional ingredient in Q4 2024. The closest pursuer, flaxseed (17.3%), was barely within shouting distance. The appeal of chia seeds lies in nutritional benefits: the seeds are high in fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients. The seeds can also aid heart health (by reducing cholesterol), and weight loss, according to the Mayo Clinic. What’s more, the seeds also have anti-inflammatory properties. Chia seeds can be added to numerous recipes, such as salad dressings, sauces, marinades, and baked goods. The seeds can also be mixed to create a gel that can thicken soups, smoothies, and puddings, as noted by healthline. Additionally, the seeds can be used in alt-meat products, as well as energy bars and cereals. It should come as no surprise, then, to learn that the chia seed market is currently estimated at $1.72 billion and is expected to reach $3.35 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of nearly 14.2% over the next five years, according to Mordor Intelligence. #chiaseeds #superfoods #nutrition #health New Hope Network #ExpoWest Natural Products Expo

Thank you so much to The Food Institute for their spotlight on J?ey Nordic Seed Crisps! J?ey Nordic Seed Crisps ??started as a passion project, almost by accident! I was curious what consumers thought about a cracker recipe that I created after my trip to Sweden. And so I went to local farmer’s markets to do some market research (the old fashion way!) based on more than a decade working in consumer insight and strategy at Unilever Kraft Heinz Mondelēz International The Hershey Company and McDonald's. After two years of running J?ey as a side hustle, I have learned how hard it is to build a business and get a grasp on some disciplines for the first time like finance, supply chain, sales and R&D. I am grateful for all the guidance and tutelage from mentors and industry colleagues for helping us get to where J?ey is today. You know who you are. We still have a long way to go but we are very excited about the journey ahead! J?ey Nordic Seed Crisps is now in about 200 stores including Whole Foods Market, Eataly Summerhill Market, Natures Emporium LP Village Juicery, Sobeys …etc. in Canada and we just received our first PO with a prestigious retailer in the US. Our goal for J?ey is to expand into the US. In the coming weeks, we will have our US packaging ready, and we are excited to start connecting with retailers, buyers and distributors in the US! We will be walking the show at Expo West next week. We look forward to meeting up with potential partners, retailers, buyers and distributors at the show! ??