Insight of the Day: 6 food and drink trends driving menus around the world

1. One-Bite Wonders:

• Snacking occasions are on the rise, and restaurants are responding by creating bite-sized versions of sweet and savory foods. For example:

• Auntie Anne’s introduced “Ham & Cheese Pretzel Sandwich Bites” in Thailand—a portable take on a classic ham and cheese sandwich.

• Hungry Jack’s in Australia added “Burger Bites” to their menu, featuring beef, cheese, and ketchup coated in crispy breading

1. New-Style Drinking Yogurts:

• South Korea’s Ediya Coffee rolled out a line of “Drinking Yogurts” that blend sweet and sour flavors, rich in probiotics.

• Heytea in China introduced “Farmstead Avocado Yogurt,” combining avocados with yogurt made from fermented New Zealand milk.

• Thai concept Arigato offers yogurt-based coffee, tea, and soda drinks, reflecting the popularity of yogurt beverages in Asia

1. Breakfast Keeps Booming:

• Away-from-home breakfast purchases are prevalent in the Middle East (39%) and Asia (33%).

• Shake Shack introduced internationally-inspired breakfast sandwiches and coffees in China, while Popeyes expanded its breakfast offerings in the U.K., including handheld hash browns, biscuits, and egg sandwiches with chicken, bacon, and sausage patties

1. Hot Shakes:

• Popeyes in China serves warm milkshakes in flavors like jasmine, pear, and cheese pumpkin.

• Costa Coffee in the U.K. also offers warm shakes, combining coffee and milkshake elements in flavors like White Chocolate & Strawberry and Salted Caramel Coffee1.

1. Next-Gen Poke:

• In some countries, poke (cubed, raw fish) is being used in nontraditional applications:

• Frittenwerk in Germany serves it as a topping for french fries in a variation of poutine.

• Koni Store in Brazil substitutes breaded chicken bites for fish in their “Crispy Chicken Poke” dish, adding carrots, tomato, seaweed salad, shredded cabbage, and cream cheese

1. Melon Mania:

• Both familiar and exotic melons are making appearances in desserts and drinks globally:

• Starbucks offers a “Gohobi Melon Frappuccino” in Japan, blending green honeydew juice and milk, finished with orange honeydew pulp and a honeydew jelly base.

• Denny’s features muskmelon in five dessert specials at its Japan locations

These trends reflect the dynamic and diverse culinary landscape across the globe. Whether it’s bite-sized snacks, innovative beverages, or creative ingredient combinations, restaurants are constantly evolving to meet consumer preferences and eating styles

Source: https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/food/6-food-drink-trends-driving-menus-around-world