Datassential has released a list of trends to watch in 2023 along with the foods and flavors that consumers will indulge in next year.
Some of the macroscopic trends that will get more attention in 2023 include:
• Artificial intelligence: AI is progressing quickly and will have huge impacts on the food industry.
• A new generation of eatery: A new type of restaurant and/or retail concept will likely fulfill a need for a place beyond home and work to socialize and have a meal.
• Improving back-of-house conditions: Operators are rethinking what a job in the industry looks like, contemplating changes to pay, design, and mental health.
• Regenerative agriculture: The term connotes a holistic look at farming practices in relation to soil health and overall sustainability; it will show up in the media, on products, and on menus more in 2023.
Picking apart the trends on a more granular level, Datassential indicates that the following flavors will become more popular : mangonada, yuzu, spicy maple, ube, new mushrooms, and related snacks, birria, salsa macha, soju, London fog, and ranch water. In addition, the company suggests the following flavors and ingredients should be closely watched both next year and into the future: cherry blossom, MSG, verjus, next-level cannabis, white coffee, savory granola, pickled strawberries, sisig, black tahini, and chestnut flour.
"We love the process of selecting the latest foods and flavors we think consumers will want to experience in the coming year and beyond, but these ingredients aren't presented in a vacuum," said Datassential trendologist and associate director Mike Kostyo, in a statement. "We're proud to pair our predictions for growth of items like salsa macha and pickled strawberries with a discussion on important trends in the broader restaurant industry, including the influences of Gen Alpha, AI, and improving working conditions across the industry."
Related: McCormick Releases Flavor Trend Report; FreshDirect Shares 2023 Food Trends