If you’re a regular #foodie, you keep up to date on all things food, and all of the latest trends (i.e. avocado toast). Some things have become popular because they’re delicious or pretty to look at, but others can seem weird at first. I’m here to tell you to give them a chance too. Here are seven food trends that you must try, even if you have to step way out of your comfort zone.
1. Sweet Potato Toast
We can all agree that sweet potato fries are far superior to regular French fries. So now bring in sweet potato toast. It’s incredibly versatile, and the perfect vehicle for lots of toppings, both sweet and savory.
Think peanut butter and banana, avocado, cream cheese and lox, just to name a few. Plus, swapping out regular toast for sweet potato toast has great health benefits, including high levels of Vitamin A, anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidants, and more.
2) All things Ube
This commonly mispronounced, bright purple tuberous root vegetable has taken the internet by a storm. Found on the island of Hawaii and in the Philippines, ube is mainly used in sweet preparations like ice cream and cake. Look up #ube on Insta and feast your on with this beautiful yam.
3) Raindrop Cake
Although this dessert sounds like the next big diet fad, don’t be disheartened. This Japanese rice cake, commonly known as Mizu Shingen Mochi, is the future of desserts. Served with a sugar syrup and kinako, this jelly-like cake has people waiting in queues for hours. But eat up quickly, as these magical desserts dissolve completely if not eaten within 30 minutes of preparation.
4) Over-the-Top Milkshakes
Who knew donuts, full slices of cake, and candy bars would be acceptable toppings for milkshakes? So yeah, you can say the milkshake trend has gone a little overboard. Not to mention, they always seem to defy gravity with the mounds of toppings that are stacked on top of the jars. Maybe bring a friend to share it with. Or 12, considering there’s quite a few calories in each one.
5) All Things Fermented
Kombucha, apple cider vinegar drinks, kimchi, sauerkraut, you name it. Fermented drinks are the juice cleanse of 2016. With their probiotic properties, fermented foods help aid in digestion, reduce bloating, and can even reduce your hangover symptoms. While fermented foods and drinks often have an off-putting smell and acidity, the health benefits of this food trend can’t be ignored.
6) Sweet to Savory
The sweet to savory trend can best best be understood in terms of Sriracha popcorn ice cream and frittata muffins, or the sweet irony of a dessert pizza or Oreo cookie lasagna. Dessert for dinner just got a whole lot more acceptable.
7) Veggie Swaps
With hundreds of new ways to sneak veggies into every meal, getting your daily serving of fruits and veggies may actually be feasible. From spaghetti squash to cauliflower crust and more, it’s almost impossible to avoid veggies in 2016.