After more than two years of unprecedented disruption, 2022 is shaping up to be another exciting and unique year for the food and beverage industry, with consumers demanding adventure and experience on the one hand, and businesses focusing on transparent industry practices and innovations that reduce waste, save water and minimize environmental impact on the other. Foodies and F&B experts share their predictions for the food industry trends that will likely emerge in 2022 in the weeks and months to come.
Grassroots food and beverage businesses, however, find these food and flavour trends of little benefit because they are unable to scale to accommodate larger numbers of consumers. While unusual ingredients and recipes can make for attention-grabbing headlines, they are frequently unrealistic for the typical customer who simply wants a fulfilling meal at a price point that they can comfortably afford.
However, with the arrival of new business models like cloud kitchens and home delivery, restaurant owners can use these trends to pivot to new markets/audiences and boost growth.
5 F&B Industry Trends One Must Not Miss In 2022
With this in mind, we couldn’t wait any longer to share with you our predictions for the top ten F&B industry trends to watch for in 2022.
1. Plant-Based Meals
Taking into account the changing times and an increased emphasis on eating healthy, plant-based meals which have been slowly rising in popularity, are poised to reach new heights. More and more people are actively seeking out meals and services from businesses that they believe are ecologically responsible. When you combine this with a newfound focus on health, it is clear why potato milk is so popular today. While elements such as nut-based milk, plant-based meats, and vegan alternatives are seeing fresh interest from consumers, the foodscape in India appears to be undergoing a larger renaissance.
Building trust and openness are essential for companies looking to engage consumers by assisting them in making responsible food choices. Take, for example, the glut of organic items available on the market. There is no doubt that veganism is no longer a trend, but rather a way of life. From brands such as Hello Tempayy, which offers a variety of plant-based protein options, to Imagine Meats, Wakao, and Good Dot, which manufacture vegan meats on Indian soil, to Soft Spot, Liveyumfoods.com, which specializes in vegan cheese alternatives.
2. Sustainable Living And Meals
Individuals will, we expect, choose sustainable diets that are environmentally friendly this year. Danone, a large food corporation, recently made the decision to cut waste by incorporating wasted fruits into its yoghurt products. Increasing numbers of people are actively making intentional decisions to compost food waste rather than simply discarding it. Across the food industry, restaurants, businesses, and chefs are discovering innovative ways to repurpose leftovers—whether it’s keeping them for the following day, utilizing them as an ingredient in another recipe, or just donating them to those in need.
After purchasing vegetables, Plural, a restaurant in Mumbai, chooses to adopt a closed-loop method in which the rejected pieces are turned into vegetable stock and citrus peels are turned into cordials for cocktail creations. Additionally, restaurants such as Yogisattva, Delhi Accent, Sequel, Masque, and Green Cafe are actively involved in lowering their carbon footprint.
With sustainability in mind, restaurateurs are also increasingly shifting to local vendors. This shift has risen from the rising costs and the scarcity of raw materials due to the disruption of supply chains. Sourcing produce from local vendors can also motivate them and build a sense of unity within the community.
3. Technology To Flourish
Technology will continue to develop at a frantic speed in the F&B business and infiltrate almost every operational area and process. From autonomous cars, drone deliveries, smart refrigerators, robotics, AI, simply walk-out shops, weed-picking robots, Viome to check your stomach, and Blockchain, F&B has become the new favourite of the tech sector! Even as companies evolve with digital, so are retailers, such as Kroger KR +2 percent, which recently partnered with tech startup Ocado to construct robotic fulfilment centres.
Innovative products and services such as cellular-based foods and protein derived from the air have been created as a result of technological advancements in the food and beverage industry.
As more and more restaurants embrace contactless ordering, payments, rewards, and aggregators, simplifying kitchen processes may aid in the delivery of a consistent guest experience, which in turn is critical for business growth. Many restaurateurs are investing in digital technology to automate back-of-house procedures, with 36% of owners and managers reporting that they have improved their company’s information technology infrastructure. Better productivity across all channels can result from streamlining kitchen operations, allowing managers and owners the confidence and freedom to experiment with new restaurant concepts.
4. Outdoor Dining
Eating outdoors is becoming increasingly popular! After the year we’ve had, there’s nothing more enticing than dining at an outdoor restaurant, for a variety of reasons ranging from socializing to fresh air to delectable cuisine. The benefits of outdoor eating are not only enjoyable, but they may also be a wise investment. According to some industry experts, restaurants that install outdoor dining rooms can increase their income by as much as 30%.
Rooftop restaurants are experiencing a renaissance right now. Although not all buildings were designed with rooftop dining in mind, an increasing number of restaurants are repurposing otherwise empty rooftop space into a functional and profitable aspect of their overall dining experience. The most frequent configuration is a table seating/standing bar combination, which is perfect for getting a drink while waiting for a table. Views of sunsets, water, or skylines from rooftops are in high demand, especially in the city centre.
5. Shift To No Hangovers
Alcohol use and subsequent hangovers are no longer fashionable. Mocktails and cocktails with little or no ABV (Alcohol by Volume) are becoming increasingly popular as people strive to live healthier lifestyles. This is due to the fact that the alt-cult of ‘Sober Curiosity’ appears to be enjoying its moment in the sun among Generation Z. What exactly is it? Simply put, refraining from alcoholic beverages. And as this trend gets traction, the beverage sector is scrambling to find ways to appeal to customers from the targeted demographic.
Svami, for example, has introduced non-alcoholic versions of classic cocktails such as Gin & Tonic and Rum & Cola. Aside from that, we have trendy brands such as Kati Patang, which has versions such as NOT Cosmopolitan and NOT Old Fashioned. Coolberg and & Stirred both offer a variety of flavoured non-alcoholic beers as well as premixed mocktails such as the Hibiscus Cosmo and the Mexican Mule, among other options. Even well-known companies in the alcohol industry, such as Kingfisher, Heineken, and Budweiser, have recognized the importance of the trend and have introduced alcohol-free beers. Restaurants have also gotten on board with the idea, adding additional mocktail options to their menus to keep up with the current trend.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on the manner in which we live and work throughout the world, and the food and beverage sector is no exception. There is clearly increased demand for inexpensive nourishment that is also high in flavour profiles that are likely to continue well into the coming year. It appears like 2022 will have a great deal to offer, and this list only scratches the surface of what can be expected in the months to come. However, if the past is any indication, the F&B industry trends will continue to go to great lengths in order to make things more engaging and exciting for consumers in 2022.
