With the start of a new year comes the desire to try new things. Your menu should be no exception. Be innovative by incorporating new food and beverage ideas to shake up your menu. Introduce intriguing recipes that guests are sure to be excited to experience. Read below to find the Top 7 Food & Drink Trends we found for 2019.
Plants Rule!
The plant-based food and beverage movement seems to be one that is expected to continuously grow in 2019 and beyond. The shift to a plant-based diet is a popular trend that has many consumers continuously seeking out vegetarian and vegan recipes and dining spots. Many culinary gurus have been trying out different recipes and you can find a lot of blogs dedicated to highlighting plant-based ingredients or dining spots.
Although this trend has just recently gaining traction, your restaurant is sure to encounter guests who are choosing a plant-based diet for a variety of reasons, whether it be as a means for weight management, to improve their health, or an adherence to moral or religious views. Even if your establishment isn’t completely meatless, including a few exciting plant-based recipes will help your menu please all potential guests.
Orange Wine
No, we don’t mean orange-flavored wine…but a type of white wine that is produced by fermenting the grape juice with the skin, similar to the process for red wines. When this unconventional process is conducted with white wine, an orange-hue, ranging from a pale orange color to a dark amber color, is present in the finished result.
As for the flavor, one can expect a medium to full bodied taste that is oxidative and high in tannins. Like other wines, orange wines are more subtle when chilled and become more expressive as they warm up. Although bold and complex, orange wines are still great for pairing with food and are great for dishes that may not quite match the flavor of a white, but require more body of a red.
Fermentation
Pickling and fermenting can be expected to become commonplace in almost every kitchen and bar in 2019. Its rise in popularity as a great source of Vitamin C and probiotics was first praised by nutritionists due to the healthy bacteria that result from the fermentation process. There are endless health benefits that come from eating fermented food such as better food digestion, increased nutrient absorption, and a highly supported GI system and endocrine system.
Due to this, products like sauerkraut, pickles, kombucha and kefir are now highly sought out as a part of one’s diet. However, you can ferment pretty much anything and can be used to make both food and beverages.
Beer & Wine Hybrids
Create the best of both worlds with beverage recipes that find common ground between both grain and grapes. There is an increasing trend in wine recipes that are made with hops or, likewise, beer recipes that are brewed with grapes.
Although beer has been made with grapes in the past as a means to give beers new dimension and flavor, popularity in experimenting with these unique processes is on the rise. Bars and restaurants looking to add new ideas or trends to their menu in 2019 should consider the idea of experimenting and playing around with beer and wine hybrid recipes that guests will be inclined to try.
Gut-Friendly Food & Beverages
Gut Health is another key trend that is expected to be on the rise in 2019, especially with major food and beverage companies such as Coca-Cola giving the trend their stamp of approval. Keeping ones gut healthy is important for your body and mind, as your gut is composed of microbes that affect your physiology and keep your body functioning properly.
Researchers are conducting studies to show how gut bacteria produce neurotransmitters that affect your serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, which also goes hand-in-hand with certain diseases and mental health. As more scientific evidence is becoming more paramount, you can expect a rise in gut-friendly foods and probiotics such as kimchi, kefir, and kombucha. So, when it comes to adding some new menu items, go with your gut!
Turmeric
This bright yellow and orange super-food, which is a rhizome similar to ginger, has risen in popularity due to its anti-inflammatory properties. High in antioxidants, this holistic spice is low on the glycemic index and supports an even blood sugar response that is associated with reducing cravings and improving cognitive function.
Turmeric can be used in both food dishes and beverages, and is especially good in teas and coffees. With more and more customers seeking out recipes that can improve their health and cognitive abilities, adding a creative food dish or a specialty tea that includes turmeric is something that customers will be excited to try out.
Experiential Eating
With many restaurants and bars seeking out ways to be different and trendy, many guests are seeking out a unique dining-experience when they go out to eat. With this being said, the vibe and mood that eludes from your restaurant space and menu is one that should be carefully crafted in order to tell a story that your guests can relate to and share with their dining companions.
Everything from the music, vibrancy of colors, and textures of your napkins and tablecloths, to the shape and style of dinnerware, silverware and glassware you choose will create a perception for your guests and even influence the way your dishes and beverages taste. Putting thought into the execution of each guests dining experience will go a long way in making sure customers not only enjoy each dish and cocktail, but their time spent in your establishment with friends and family as well.
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