Modern European, Middle Eastern and Asian twists to be top 2018 food trends
Food wholesalers Bidfood has identified the top trends for 2018 which include Modern European, Middle Eastern and Asian flavours.
The Food and Drink Trends 2018 guide identified these trends as being driven by the rise of travel and mixing of cultures.
The three trends have been broken down into sections:
Moreish MENA which Bidfood describes as "the desire to try new and authentic global foods is reflected in the growing interest for cuisine from the Middle East and North Africa" and is encouraging caterers to offer a mix of fresh traditional ingredients and spices with popular Western dishes.
Modern Europe, a trend which showcases shoreline fish, quality meat and local produce from Scandinavia and the Balkans to the Mediterranean. Dishes are made using basic cooking skills and simplistic presentation.
Asian Appetites reflects the demand for global cuisine which has grown exponentially over the last few years. Consumers are seeking out the traditional flavours associated with Asian food, including rich, bold and spicy dishes. To capitalise on this trend caterers are incorporating everything from Japanese ramen noodle soup to popular Korean barbecue dishes to menus.
Lucy Pedrick, insights manager at Bidfood, said: "Consumers today are being introduced to a variety of flavour and food combinations. As a result, they are becoming even more experimental and adventurous when dining out or cooking at home.
"We're already seeing brands rise to the challenge and offer on-trend bold concepts and products to delight customers and keep them coming back for more."
The guide is available via www.bidfood.co.uk/2018-trends and includes recipe examples, tips and serving suggestions.
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