It’s a new year and a new decade and the Quattro Foods team is enjoying our annual ‘what’s on the menu?’ office frolics. It’s a game of moving parts where every year brings new choices. Remember when no one knew what kale was? As one of the UK’s leading food manufacturers we are passionate about what we – and you – are planning to eat, and what society as a whole is expecting from the culinary pipeline.
Here’s what we predict at the start of this new decade:
Vegetarian lasagne
There’s nothing like a high-profile magazine article to spawn a trend and The Wall Street Journal’s recent lasagne love-in is no exception. Soft sheets of beautiful Italian pasta layered with creamy sauce and chunky, flavoursome veg. What’s not to love? Food brands have cottoned on too and we’ve even seen some lasagne noodles on supermarket shelves.
Breakfast on the go
As work patterns continue to evolve and people are showing up later to the office or increasingly working from home, breakfast has secured a well-earned slot in the ‘eating out’ category. No longer satisfied with a rushed bowl of Rice Krispies, many of us are aware of the high wellness and enjoyment value of a hearty and tasty breakfast. From avocado to eggs, we want protein, colour, flavour and a kick of spice to get the day started. And most of the major food chains have noticed.
‘Super’ flours
Bakers and bread-lovers amongst us will already be aware of the prolific choice of flours available in every decent supermarket and the trend for being picky about the ingredients in your muffin or sandwich is growing. It’s time to be aware of flours that offer extra fibre or protein and to start reading up on the health and taste benefits of cauliflower flour, amongst others.
The meat debate goes on
There will always be a veggie vs carnivore face off, but as fake meat becomes more widely researched, developed and available to buy, steak-lovers will find an increasing number of alternatives that satisfy their taste buds as well as their protein needs. The popularity of plant-based ‘meat’ products has blown a fuse in recent years and now we have a revolutionary new creation to get excited about – blended meat. These food products are made of a combination of real meat and meatless ingredients to help those reluctant to say goodbye to meat, start their veggie journey by cutting down on their consumption of animal products.
Superfood butters and spreads
‘Bye ‘bye old-style butter. Hello watermelon seed butter and dark chocolate and sunflower seed butter (yes, we’re serious!). Packed with protein and new flavours and made using only responsibly sourced palm oil this could be our favourite new trend. We even make a nut-free peanut butter.
Fenugreek seeds
These are the new turmeric, so we’re told. The bitter taste and prebiotic dietary fibre can add texture and sweetness to baking without sugar. Healthy and yummy – that’s what we like at Quattro.
Follow food trends…follow Quattro Foods – working hard in our kitchens to stay ahead of the culinary curve.