The top food trends of the decade
What? You aren't trended out yet, are you? We've barely gotten started.
Faithful readers know I never met a trend list I didn't like, and when it's the Top Food Trends Overall for the Decade -- well, you know I have to share it.
Here we go: The Food Channel's Top 10. ...
* Sushi
* Bacon
* Cupcakes
* Sliders
* Gourmet burgers made with Kobe or Angus beef
* Superfruits such as acai, pomegranate and blueberry
* Oils, such as olive oils and truffle oils
* Whole grains, such as Kashi, polenta, risotto
* Artisan foods, particularly in breads, cheeses and dark chocolates
* Coffees, teasSo what do you think? (Leaving aside for the moment the fact that Kashi, polenta and risotto aren't whole grains.)
You might say, Huh? Coffee and tea are a major trend? But I get what whoever made up this list means: All I have to do is consider my shelf filled with cans of gourmet loose teas, which looks like an ad for Murchie's. And from this blog, I know many of you got into coffee in a serious way last decade.
As much as I like to make fun, I actually think this is a pretty accurate list, even though when you read it as a whole you think, "Wow. Our civilization really is in decline. Cupcakes? Acai?"
I just hope we can do better in the next decade.
As a bonus I'm going to throw in the Food Channel's Top Restaurant Trends of the Decade, although I'm not sure I'd call taco trucks a restaurant trend:
* Fast casual concept
* Tapas and shareables
* Gastropubs
* Molecular gastronomy
* Taco trucks
* Underground dining
* Fusion
* DIY
* Catering
* Upscaling of bar food
I'm not sure what DIY means as a restaurant trend. Everyone opening his own restaurant? You have to fill your own water glass from the sideboard?
One good thing about lists like these: They'll provide us with lots to talk about in the next few weeks.
(Barbara Haddock Taylor/Sun photogarpher)
Comments
I think the truffle oil thing has come and gone, but that's just me...
DIY is my plan for a Cowboy Steakhouse. You get your own cow, you slaughter it, butcher it, and cook and eat your own cut and take the rest home with you in a chest freezer. Bring a truck and a few thousand bucks. Baked potato and salad included. Sour cream 50 cents extra.
Posted by: Joyce W. | January 6, 2010 7:20 AM
If coffee and tea can be on the list, I think you should include craft beer.
And how could the Food Channel leave out farm to table?
Posted by: Mitch | January 6, 2010 7:58 AM
If I can get a good slice of cheesecake with a good cup of coffee, I think that is a sign of civilization, not its decline.
Posted by: Lissa | January 6, 2010 8:40 AM
I think decent restaurant coffee is definitely a trend. Pretty much ever cup is drinkable, and most places offer espresso as well. Death to Bun-o-matic!
Posted by: Baltofoodie | January 6, 2010 8:45 AM
El,
I take it you have never been to a steak house where you cook your own steak? I went to one once in Bloomington, Il and some business associates went to one in the Gaslight District of San Diego. Both were very popular. Now that I live in an apartment I might go to one if it was nearby just to get charcoal grilled food cooked "to perfection".
Of course. And Korean restaurants. I don't know what I was thinking. EL
Posted by: Elite Elephant Lover | January 6, 2010 8:46 AM
"Slow Food"(eco-gastro movement and not slow restaurant service) became a BIG buzz phrase towards the end of the decade and hopefully will continue to expand this decade. If not, the potential for farmers markets to be nothing more than craft shows is inevitable for future generations
Posted by: Alan M | January 6, 2010 9:30 AM
Grate Steaks in Norfolk is a cook-your-own steak house, they have a huge grill. They will also cook it for you too.
Posted by: PCB Rob | January 6, 2010 9:38 AM
Somehow gastropub is very very close to gastropod for me.
Posted by: Mary Roby | January 6, 2010 9:50 AM
Molecular gastronomy
Sounds like an intestinal bug.
Posted by: Eve | January 6, 2010 10:43 AM
Speaking of coffee, I have been meaning to share this hilarious link for a while:
15 Things Worth Knowing About Coffee.
*Warning, you will be fascinated and thus, trapped by Oatmeal's awesome drawings...might want to make a sandwich before clicking that link.
Posted by: Dawn | January 6, 2010 2:43 PM
I predict the upsurge of Bass-O-Matic sales.
Posted by: Gia | January 6, 2010 4:10 PM
Cute, Dawn. One small quibble. Second crack doesn't mean the bean is roasted. Most good coffees are at their peak roast point before second crack.
(I've been roasting my own coffee for over 14 years. It is far better to go by smell than by crack, and colour is the worst betrayer of them all.)
Posted by: Lissa | January 6, 2010 4:13 PM
Re: gourmet burgers made with kobe or angus beef - I just had a $1.69 In-N-Out burger and it was amazing. I approached this tasting as a total skeptic, but now I know why Julia Child had them snuck into her hospital room. The In-N-Out I went to was spotless, the service quick and friendly, and the beef neither kobe nor angus.
Posted by: Donna Beth Joy Shapiro | January 6, 2010 9:30 PM
I think In-N-Out is stalking me. I keep seeing references and pictures and it's making me crazy. I would really love to have an In-N-Out burger right now. :D
Posted by: Stacy | January 7, 2010 8:20 AM
Geez, that's just fascinating and totally on topic spam there Teri26Wilkerson. I get the feeling that Spam is stalking me, Stacy!
Posted by: Joyce W. | March 17, 2010 1:36 PM