5 Food Trends for 2023 and 2024

In today's digital age, the food and beverage industry is racing ahead online, becoming the fastest-growing category in e-commerce. The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst, pushing many consumers to order food online for the first time. In the US, this shift led to an astonishing 110% surge in daily online grocery sales in April 2020 alone.

Yet, even before the pandemic, e-commerce food sales were on a rapid rise. With a whopping $7.44 trillion in the US food and beverage space, the industry is primed for a seismic shift.

Investments in e-commerce, robotics, and cutting-edge technology are happening at an unprecedented pace, promising a wave of exciting changes. Whether you're a part of the F&B industry or just keeping an eye on it, here are the trends that deserve your attention.

1. Meal Replacement and Whey Protein

Protein is a global food trend. According to Innova Market Insights, 1 in 5 consumers worldwide adjusted their protein intake in the last year, with 17% favoring high-protein products. The food industry has taken note, with 10% annual growth in new protein-related products between 2017 and 2022.

Global Protein Preferences

The protein craze is most prominent in Africa/Middle East, Europe, Asia, Australasia, Latin America, and North America.

Whey Protein's Rise

The whey protein market is on the upswing, projected to grow from USD 11.0 billion in 2022 to USD 18.12 billion by 2029 by Fortune Business Insights. Key drivers include increased demand for dairy ingredients, growing health consciousness, and the rise of fitness centers. An aging global population and youth interest in sports and nutrition contribute to this growth.

Plant-Based Proteins

Plant-based proteins are also gaining ground, with peas leading the way globally, especially in meat substitutes, sports nutrition, and dairy. Rice protein is making its mark in meat substitutes, sports nutrition, and cereal products.

Top Pick: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard is the world's bestselling whey protein powder, trusted for fueling countless workouts.

Benefits of Whey Protein

• Perfect for mornings, before and after exercise, or any time you need extra protein.


• Offers a variety of delicious flavors and easy mixing with just a glass and spoon.


• Supports muscle development and maintenance with regular resistance training.


• Contains BCAAs and EAAs for muscle recovery.

Protein is the power behind a healthier you. Join the trend and make protein a part of your daily life.

2. Robotic Kitchen Assistants: A Culinary Revolution

The world of food service is embracing robotics, just like manufacturing.

Robots in the Kitchen

A report by MIT Technology Review highlights the rise of robotic kitchen assistants, here to assist in food preparation. These kitchen robots serve as cooking sidekicks, lending a hand in meal prep at home. Borrowing from industrial use, these collaborative robots, or cobots, handle cooking, chopping, and blending tasks, with step-by-step recipe guidance on their touchscreens.

Meet the TOKIT Omni Cook Robot

The TOKIT Omni Cook Robot is a multitasking marvel, replacing 21 kitchen appliances in one. It mirrors the design of the Thermomix TM6 and takes on cooking, chopping, and blending tasks with ease.

Recipes at Your Fingertips

Connected to the internet, the Omni Cook Robot offers hundreds of free recipes, presented step-by-step on its touchscreen. It's powerful, user-friendly, and budget-friendly compared to its rival, the Thermomix TM6. From chopping and grinding to steaming, it's your kitchen's Swiss Army knife.

A Growing Market

The robotic kitchen assistant market is projected to soar with a CAGR of 17% from 2022 to 2028. The demand for smart kitchen appliances that multitask is driving this growth. Factors like health-conscious consumers, the rise of smart homes and IoT devices, a growing older population, and young enthusiasts for smart appliances contribute to the boom.

3. Kombucha and Fermented Drinks

Fermented drinks are on the rise, driven by society's newfound obsession with gut health and probiotics.

Fermented Market Surge

Stats reveal that the fermented ingredient market soared from $23.64 million in 2018 to a projected $35.54 million in 2024.

Beyond Gut Health

Fermented foods offer a treasure trove of health benefits, including antioxidants, antimicrobial properties, enhanced vitamin and mineral absorption, and immune system support.

Remedy Kombucha Tea

Remedy Kombucha Tea Organic Drink is taking the market by storm. It's a sugar-free, low-calorie refreshment that sparkles like seltzer, sips like soda, and has just 5 calories. Available in delectable flavors like Mango Passion, Mixed Berry, Raspberry Lemonade, Ginger Lemon, Peach & Orange Splash.

The Fermentation Frenzy

While yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut, and wine are familiar fermented foods, the trend extends far beyond these classics.

Kombucha's Meteoric Rise

Kombucha, the tangy fermented tea, has its roots in China, Russia, and Eastern Europe. In the U.S., it's one of the fastest-growing grocery segments in the past decade.

Alcoholic Kombucha: The Spirited Growth

The alcoholic kombucha market is skyrocketing. Searches for "hard kombucha" have surged by a staggering 900% in 5 years. Market Watch predicts a whopping CAGR of 42.4% between 2021 and 2026. Named to Whole Foods' Top Food Trends of 2021, alcoholic kombucha caters to diverse consumer preferences with varying alcohol content.

4. Vertical Farming

By 2050, global water demand is set to rise by up to 30%, while climate change threatens crop losses. Thankfully, AgTech is ushering in a new era of sustainable food production.

Farming on the Rise

Vertical farms are changing the game, growing crops in stacked layers inside specialized warehouses. These spaces are meticulously controlled for humidity, temperature, and light to optimize plant growth.

Vertical Farming Benefits

Vertical farming brings impressive improvements:

• Higher Yields: Wheat yields can skyrocket, reaching up to 600 times higher per square foot.


• Water Conservation: Advanced hydroponic and aeroponic systems slash water usage by up to 95%.


• Reduced Risks: Fewer pesticides mean lower mold and E. coli risks.


• Year-Round Growth: Say goodbye to seasonal limitations.


• Protection: Environmental threats like cold snaps, floods, monsoons, hurricanes, and fires become a thing of the past.

Affordable Tech

The good news? Vertical farming tech is becoming more affordable. Consumers can now purchase Indoor Garden Hydroponics Growing Systems for home use.

Fast Growth, Bountiful Yields

This hydroponic system with 60 growing pods and 2 layers offers 3X faster growth and 40% higher yields on average. Grow leafy greens, peppers, tomatoes, and more year-round. Monitoring water levels is a breeze with transparent windows, ensuring your crops thrive without delay.

5. Performance Mushrooms

Mushrooms are taking the food and beverage industry by storm as a consumer favorite.

Mushroom Magic

Experts predict mushrooms will be a culinary sensation in the coming years. These versatile veggies are rich in vitamins and minerals, fitting seamlessly into proteins, snacks, spices, and condiments.

Health and Plant Power

Mushrooms align perfectly with wellness and plant-based food trends. Between 2019 and 2020, mushroom sales surged by 20% to 40%. Despite the pandemic, 2020 saw a 3% increase, hitting $1.15 billion. A report shows that 25% of consumers plan to eat more mushrooms this year, while 63% aim to maintain their current consumption.

Mushrooms Everywhere

Mushrooms aren't just thriving in home kitchens; they're dominating restaurant menus, appearing on 80% of them, according to the Mushroom Council.

Superfood for Wellness

Laird Superfood introduces "performance mushrooms," a blend of chaga, cordyceps, lion's mane, and maitake mushrooms that elevate overall wellness. This keto-friendly option, with just 1g of carbs per serving, can be added to coffee, tea, or smoothies.

Conclusion

In the world of food and nutrition, exciting trends are shaking things up, changing how we eat and live. We're talking about everything from those trendy performance mushrooms to the rise of vertical farming and the health boost from fermented drinks.

And don't forget those handy robot kitchen helpers and the protein-packed goodness we're digging into.

These trends aren't just about our taste buds; they're all about making our lives healthier and more eco-friendly. So, as we look ahead, it's clear that the future of food is looking pretty delicious and sustainable.