Though avocados are one of the best gifts bestowed upon us by the glorious food gods, it’s safe to say we’ve reached peak avocado. (Avocado ice cream, anyone?) If you’re getting a little tired of everything avo these days, it’s nice to know that there are plenty of other buzzworthy food items to keep the food industry — and your Instagram feed — on its toes. Here are 13 food trends experts say you’ll want to keep an eye (and fork) on for 2018.
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This article originally appeared on TotalBeauty.com
13 Foods Trending in 2018
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Mushrooms
Mushrooms add flavor to any dish but expect mushroom use to become more creative in 2018, as mushroom-infused coffees, chocolates and teas are slated to become even more popular. "Mushroom varieties such as reishi, chaga and cordyceps are going to be infused in coffees, chocolates, tea and snack foods because of their immune-supporting and antioxidant properties," says Goldberg.
Image: @foursigmatic
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Tart Cherry
Cherry is also getting some major buzz this year, thanks to its sweet taste and amazing nutritional profile. Expect tart cherries, in particular, to take center stage since they are a natural source of melatonin and help reduce pain and inflammation in the body. "Different from your everyday sweet, dark cherries, tart cherries are sour, small and bright red," says Chef Mareya Ibrahim, The Fit Foodie and founder of EatCleaner.com. "Little but mighty, these berries have one of the highest ORAC scores — topping blueberries, pomegranate juice and tea by almost triple — with a mega boost of anthocyanins to battle free radicals and repair cell damage. Tart cherry is also known to reduce pain and inflammation and help with post-exercise muscle soreness."
Image: Getty
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Blue Matcha
You may remember green matcha taking over your Instagram feed last summer but Marc Marrone, the corporate executive chef of TAO Group, says to expect matcha to still hang around this year too, especially with blue matcha becoming quite popular online. "I have to say the whole matcha trend has started an attraction to the ceremony of making tea," Marrone says. "Blue matcha has started to ride the same train, though it's not really matcha, it's actually dried flowers of the butterfly pea plant. However, it's still packed with antioxidants and amazing health benefits."
Image: @matcha.blue
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Collagen Peptides
Collagen (the main structural protein found in skin and other connective tissue) has gotten a major boost lately thanks to the recent popularity of collagen-infused protein powders and bone both products, which help promote healthy skin and joints. This year, expect the collagen boom to grow even bigger, with unique collagen-infused food products taking the spotlight. "This year, we'll see an increase in collagen-infused everything, from chocolate to chili to pancakes," says Goldberg. "You will also see a surge in collagen builders such as whole food-based supplements."
Image: @thrivemkt
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Peas and Pea Protein
Pea protein can be found inside yogurts, pasta, protein powders and even milk, making peas the vegetable to watch, according to chef and Mind Body Fork founder Chef Debbie Lee. Aside from providing nutrients and vitamins to those observing plant-based diets, Lee says that peas are very versatile and can be whipped into a variety of healthy dishes in a matter of minutes. "The best part of peas is the versatility in what you can do with them," she says. "I use it as a base to make pea falafels, plant meatloaf and even use it instead of chickpeas for hummus."
Image: @faces_oman
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Instagram Food Trends Are Going Goth
Rainbow-colored unicorn treats may have had their big moment in 2018, but food experts say that the next big Instagram food trend is going to be a lot darker. Stacy Goldberg, nutrition consultant and founder of Savorfull, says that goth-inspired items (we're talking black ice cream, burgers and lattes) are definitely going to set social media ablaze.
"Unicorns are out and black is in," Goldberg says. "Activated charcoal is quickly becoming a superfood and being promoted as detoxifying. You will see this trend in everything from pizzas to beverages to ice cream."Image: @bluegirls.challenge
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Collard Wrap Sandwiches
Sandwiches are also getting a lot healthier this year, as collard green wraps are starting to get some appreciation thanks to their anti-inflammatory benefits and high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. "The trend to eat healthier sandwiches and wraps has brought collard greens into the superfood spotlight," says Monica Klausner, co-founder and CMO of plant-based meal delivery service Veestro. "Loaded with the three major antioxidants found in foods, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E, collard greens help strengthen our body's ability to fight the effects of chemicals and free-radicals in our environment."
Image: @foodfitnessandfaith
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Microgreens
Kale has been the healthy green of choice for the past few years but now microgreens (think arugula and swiss chard) are taking center stage, thanks to a powerful nutritional profile. And health benefits aside, microgreens are very versatile and give any dish a much healthier twist. "Microgreens are a powerhouse of nutrition that can provide up to 40 times the nutrition of the full-grown plant," says Jessica DeLuise, MHS, PAC. "Add them into pestos, salads or on top of finished dishes."
Image: @groovyheirloomsfarms
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Kimchi
As the importance of gut health continues to grow, probiotic-rich foods like kimchi are gaining popularity. DeLuise notes that this spicy condiment packs a major punch of flavor and is easily available at major health food store locations. "Kimchi can be enjoyed on anything from breakfast omelets to sandwiches and it is quite healthy," she says. "Made from fermented cabbage and vegetables, it's very low in calories, is abundant in vitamins and is loaded with probiotics that can help to support a healthy gut."
Image: @tallwood
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Jackfruit
Jackfruit is becoming quite the fruit sensation since it can be consumed as a snack or enjoyed raw as a sweet addition to a meal. The vitamin C-rich fruit is also gaining popularity as a healthy meat substitute, as meatless brands like Upton Naturals have items like chili lime jackfruit carnitas in their product lines. "Jackfruit, like most fruits, is high in vitamin C, which supports a strong immune system," DeLuise says. "It has become more and more popular in vegan communities as a replacement for shredded in meat in tacos or sandwiches."
Image: Getty
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Meat Alternatives
Although meatless alternatives have become increasingly more mainstream in the last decade, Nate Appel, chef and recipe developer at HelloFresh, says that the new meat alternatives of 2018 are becoming more advanced, especially since brands are developing new and innovative products that taste (and even bleed!) like real ground beef. And as new diets (keto, paleo and more) continue to gain popularity, Appel says to expect these items to become more widely available. "Where there is a social shift to eat less meat and red meat in particular, people still want the grilling, cookout experience and these products provide great options," he says.
Image: @newseasonsmarket
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Turmeric
Starbucks may have unveiled an eye-opening turmeric latte last year but food experts like Chef Nicole Andrea Guzman feel that this golden spice is definitely hanging around, especially since it speaks to a larger Middle Eastern food trend that's already booming in 2018. She also notes that turmeric offers many nutritional benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.
"Aside from being used for cooking and seasoning, turmeric root is related to ginger and oranges, and has anti-inflammatory properties that are great for the skin," Guzman says. "Many people are beginning to take turmeric in pill form, are drinking turmeric tea and are already incorporating it more and more into their everyday diets."Image: @furtherfood
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Alcohol-Infused Popsicles
Instagrammable food trends also extend to alcohol-infused popsicles, which have taken visual sites like Pinterest by storm. "FrutaPOP is reinventing the ice pop, a product that hasn't seen any innovation in the last 50 years," says Laurance Rassin, co-founder and creative director the brand. "As we continue to see the trend towards foods with no added sugar and beverages with low alcoholic content, our gourmet alcoholic popsicles appeal to a wide range of customers looking for healthier and trendy options."
Image: FrutaPOP
