It’s time to look at some food and flavour trends this year. If you are thinking of hiring a Toronto caterer for an upcoming event, it’s a good idea to know what is popular so that you can give guests what they want. In general, Canadians are eating fewer and fewer so-called traditional meals. Snacks and small meals are becoming more popular than ever.
Also, it’s important to know what kind of flavours people are going for these days. The shift from sweet and salty tastes in favour of sour and spicy is an ongoing trend. Those who do eat sweets are sticking with the healthy variety – particularly fruits and snacks with natural, healthy alternatives to sugar.
Here are some healthy snack and flavour trends going on right now:
Plant-based proteins
Plant-based proteins seem to be doing very well – especially with the younger folks. There are various snacks available with the main source of protein coming from lentils, peas, nuts, etc. Lentils in particular are an excellent source of protein. It also contains a lot of healthy carbs and fiber. Chia seeds and hemp seeds are popular choices as well.
Beef jerky flavour
Expect to see beef jerky used in innovative flavour pairings in the coming months. Real jerky isn’t the cheap stuff you see at the gas station counter. Fortunately, the quality, hand-made variety is getting easier to find as more chefs utilize in innovative ways. Recipes range from Turkey Jerky to Chinese Food Jerky.
Plant-based milk alternatives
One of the most important things you need to consider when you choose a caterer is whether or not they are available. Their availability should be open on the day that you want them for your wedding. In addition to their availability with your wedding, also consider how hard they are to communicate with. If you call and leave messages and your calls are not returned in a timely manner, how can you expect the caterer to show up on time or know about any changes that have been made. Make sure that your caterer is always following up with you, confirming appointments, and more.
Seaweed snacks
Customers are abandoning kale for seaweed in 2016. It’s touted as a healthier alternative to other snacks, including chips. Sheets of dried and roasted seaweed are available with a variety of seasonings. Seaweed is also a great alternative to traditional sodium salt. Granulated seaweed can be used in place of flour in dry pasta and bread recipes.
Bold flavours
This year, foods with bold flavours that hit the front of your mouth as soon as you take a bite are trendy. Bold flavours include anything from Cichuan peppercorns to rare fruits. Tangy dishes are popular – especially foods with spicy ingredients mixed with vinegars or citrus.
Water tapped from trees/fruits
Water from springs isn’t enough anymore. Now, it’s all about extracting water from trees and plants. Coconut water and maple water are two examples of this trend. In the UK, birch water is among the latest drink crazes. Will the trend spread to North America this year? Only time will tell.
Hopefully, you now have an idea of some of the foods you should be requesting for event catering. You might also want to add a few simple, traditional snacks for the guests who aren’t interested in the latest crazes.
