Topic: Trends
Dried Ingredients: The Unsung Heroes of a Thanksgiving Feast
Each Thanksgiving, we get the chance to indulge in favorite foods like turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie; yet the fresh poultry and vegetables that go into these dishes would be quite bland without something extra: dried ingredients. From the herbs and spices that infuse each dish with flavor to ready made side dishes that ease the burden on busy cooks, dried ingredients are the added spark that can help make any Thanksgiving a huge success.
What Are the Health Benefits of Cranberries?
While cranberry sauce may be the go-to form on Thanksgiving, cranberry juice, cranberry extract, raw cranberries, and dried cranberries can all be used in a variety of ways. Moreover, though, the cranberry is a nutritional powerhouse that provides a number of important health benefits.
The Latest Flavor Combinations for Autumn
With the arrival of autumn, food manufacturers are rolling out new products that fit the spirit of the season. With cooler, crisper air and the leaves changing colors, consumers are looking for flavors that offer a feeling of warmth and coziness.
Ingredients for a Healthier Breakfast
Recognition of the need for healthier breakfast options has prompted many food producers to rethink key ingredients, and the most direct way to a healthier meal is incorporating more fruits and vegetables. The basic truth is that plant-based foods tend to be relatively low in calories at the same time as being more filling because of their higher fiber content
Organic vs Non-GMO? Understanding Food Labels
When consumers go to the grocery store these days, they are often confronted by a lot more information than really ever before. Some of the labels that have become more common are “organic,” “non-GMO,” “all natural,” or “clean,” but what do these terms mean? And how are they different from one another?
What Is Food Fortification?
Food fortification is a method of introducing nutrients to foods that wouldn’t otherwise be present. While this method has evolved over time, dehydrated vegetables are now one of the best ways to make foods healthier.
Dry Ingredients As Flavor Enhancers
For most foods available at stores, fresh ingredients just aren’t practical in terms of shelf life and maintaining food safety. That’s why commercial food industry producers have long relied on dried ingredients to give their end products the kinds of flavor profile that consumers demand and expect. Many people don’t realize, however, that dry ingredients are often used as flavoring agents that can impart even more flavor than their fresh counterparts.
The Good-for-You Trend Is Growing
One of the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is that more Americans than ever are trying to live healthier lives and eat healthier food. This has led to a whole new set of trends in the food industry that favor higher-quality and better-for-you ingredients that provide a wide array of health benefits. Whether it’s plant-based, organic, preservative-free, sustainably produced, lower calorie, or simply more nutrient dense, consumers of all types are looking for new food products that support their vision of healthier eating.
What to Know About Fruit Upcycling
Based on data from the last decade, it is estimated that 30-40% of the food supply is wasted; that includes nearly half of all fruit and vegetable produce. To counter this, a relatively new trend has emerged in many commercial food production facilities. This trend, known as upcycling, can play a major role in reducing food waste as well as providing other benefits to society.
Snacking Trends in America, 2023
Between the pandemic and the continuing influence of social media in shaping trends, people are more aware than ever before of the need for making healthy food choices. This is particularly notable with snack foods, an area that has traditionally been dominated by high-calorie, nutrient-thin processed options. As we continue here in 2023, look for snack foods to become even more health-oriented.