In the first week into the year, the popular food YouTube channel, Mashed, predicted the top 10 food trends of 2020. The video included some foods that we may or may not have seen all over our grocery shelves all year. They predicted seltzers, non-dairy milk, seaweed, and more to be “it” trends! Were they wrong? Keep reading to find out!
1. Seaweed
Seaweed and other plant-based snacks were predicted to be one of the top snacks of 2020. Although there have been some snack companies with flavored seaweed coming into the market, I would have to say this one is a miss. It may be on the rise, but it has a little bit to go before we can call this a trend!
2. Meat-free meat
There have been many additions of meat-free meat to many restaurants from last year to this year. From Burger King’s Impossible Burger to Dunkin Donuts’ Meat-free sausage breakfast options, this trend has been a huge hit. Especially with the rising popularity of Beyond Meat, I think it’s safe to say that meat-free meat may just be the new beef!
3. Oat milk
Mashed predicted that oat milk would be another huge food trend of 2020 and they were totally right! Almond milk and soy milk have always been the number one alternatives to cow milk, but in 2020 oat milk took over the throne. Thanks to a new Swedish oat milk company, Oatly, many people switched over to the creamy and healthy alternative. In fact, the oat milk industry sales surged almost 700%. This prediction was spot-on!
4. Sparkling water
Seltzer and sparkling water were all the craze in 2019 with the popularity of White Claws, and the hype didn’t stop in 2020. With the introduction of so many new seltzers from Bud Light and the new seltzer company, High Noon, carbonated drinks were a huge food hit in 2020.
5. Jackfruit
Jackfruit or pulled pork? The substitute of jackfruit for pork in this delicious BBQ meal was another predicted food trend of 2020. Popularized by vegan influencer, Tabitha Brown, jackfruit substitutes were another hit!
6. Butters and spreads
10 years ago, spreads for toast had two options: PB&J or butter. Mashed predicted that new spreads and butters would be a trend, and they were totally right. Now, we have almond butter, cashew butter, hazelnut spread, and even watermelon seed spread. Another predicted trend!
7. Reusable straws
Reusable straws are another craze from previous years that have carried on to this year. Now, we have them in all shapes, sizes and colors! Save the turtles and use a reusable straw!
8. Alternative flour
Mashed predicted that alternative flours like banana flour and cashew flour would be another hit food trend. I have yet to see these on my grocery shelves, I think this one is a miss! Have you seen them at your local grocery store?
9. Plant-based diets
As seen in the list, plant-based and meatless diets have been a huge hit this year, and I think they’ll continue to be popular in the years to come!
10. Canned alcohol
This prediction was spot on! Especially with a worldwide quarantine, canned cocktails were a huge trend. Canned wine was also a social media trend a bit ago. This food trend was an absolute hit.
It’s no secret that Millennials and Generation Z have some crazy food trends. It looks like vegetarian and vegan diets were a hit this year. Mashed did a great job on predicting the trends for 2020! What do you think?
Questions about 2020 food trends to discuss on Ohlelo:
- Are there any other food trends of 2020 that Mashed missed?
- Do you think they will continue to be a trend for a while, or will they be forgotten soon?
- Are there any old food trends that you wish would come back?
Check out more great food content on Mashed’s YouTube channel.
