More than half a century ago, Jennifer Wallach turned everyday food into a fascinating history when she published How America Eats: A Social History of US Food and Culture. Who knew that some foods were prescribed to balance physical or mental disorders because they were considered “hot” or “cold?”
She covers farm to table technological advances that allowed food shipments from faraway places to remain edible, and how politics influenced what you see on supermarket shelves. (We know how it influences what we put in our gas tanks—just consider how some presidential candidates have pandered to the corn lobby before the Iowa caucuses).
SLIDESHOW: 12 Fantastic Food Trends that Will Change the Way You Eat
Social, economic and cultural factors explain what we ate then and now. But they are also indicators of new food trends in restaurants and food markets. The 2016 list of the hottest food trends includes some of the latest buzzwords to watch for, courtesy of international food and restaurant consultants, Baum + Whiteman.
So, before you start shopping for that Super Bowl party, ditch the chips-and-dip and get creative. Start with a platter of poke, which will appeal to flexitarians. Opt for spicy-salty-savory ethnic snacks from Korea or Japan with General Tso flavorings. Go ‘root-to-table’ to please your locavore guests.
For you’re the meat and potato crowd, think sous vide for the perfect steak. You’ll find a dozen trends that will change what you’ll eat this in our new slideshow.
SLIDESHOW: 12 Fantastic Food Trends that Will Change the Way You Eat