Summertime Food Trends!

Food Trends to Look Forward to This Summer

From colorful salads to ice cream topped with cotton candy, food trends come and go off our plates like they’re running out of style. It’s almost summer, and with the warm weather creeping up, it’s time to ditch the soup and comfort food and look to the sun-filled horizon for the hot choices in this summer’s food trends.

Healthy Snacking

It’s never been easier to try a healthy lifestyle. Companies are pouring money into preparing great-tasting foods that are good for our bodies. For those who want to go along with this trend, trying top Trader Joe's snacks like Organic Popcorn with Olive Oil or Organic Roasted Teriyaki Seaweed Snacks can really help replace that craveable bag of chips with something more nutritious.

Meatless Days

Summer is a great time to try fitting in vegetarian days. With many light and healthy options at consumers’ fingertips, ditching meat for one or two days a week can really help digestion and wallets everywhere. Those who are wary may consider easing into meatless meals by trying fish-based options first. Then, try a recipe for meatless meals like Cookie and Kate’s Spinach Artichoke Lasagna Recipe to add excitement into meat-free days.

Fine-Casual Dining

Summer is expected to see a rise in fine-casual dining. People don’t want to spend hundreds to eat chef-driven meals, and restaurateurs have taken notice, creating dining experiences that offer food for those on a budget without sacrificing taste. Shake Shack was the most popular business to kick off the phenomenon back in 2004, and now that people have caught on, restaurants like Chop Shop Casual Urban Eatery in San Francisco are getting noticed.

Non-Alcoholic Cocktails

One would think that summer is a time to lie back in the sun and sip on some cocktails, but this summer is showing a rise in flavorful, non-alcoholic drinks that are still totally

Instagram-worthy. Try out this recipe for a hibiscus, orange, and vanilla agua fresca for a refreshing drink to cool down.

Tea

Tea. And not the iced stuff. Drinking warm tea is becoming increasingly popular in the United States, and just because it’s summer doesn’t mean the trend is leaving anytime soon. With so many flavors and benefits to choose from, boredom will never be a problem with this summer trend.

Authentic Cuisines

Those living in the United States have access to a variety of cuisines from all around the world, but many of them aren’t close to what those countries would consider authentic. The trend this summer will be searching for the real stuff. Restaurants like Safari in Harlem, New York and Taqueria Los Anaya in Southern California are big hits because of their authentic taste. No more Chipotle when craving Mexican food. People are hunting for authenticity.