2021 Food Trends we would like to ditch

The year 2021 has been one filled with countless food-related trends, from the famous TikTok pasta to frozen honey, CBD infused food items and more. Although there are many, perhaps too many for us to list with the growing popularity of Foodtok (food trends on TikTok), the Food24 team decide to reflect on the year and what food trends they would like to see disappear.

CBD has been heralded as the secret ingredient to “inner healing” and the infusion of this product in food has resulted in CBD water, tea, ice cream, popcorn and more. Content Producer for Food24, Kgomotso Moncho-Maripane explains that while CBD has been used in consumer products, she does not buy into the advent of CBD infused water.

“The water is said to contain fewer amounts of CBD and there’s research suggesting the compound loses its medicinal properties when stored in areas with a lot of light (like in the shops). Also, healthy shouldn’t always equate to expensive.”

Smoked dishes have risen in popularity during 2021 but Managing Editor Lauren Josephs explains that not all foods need to be smoked, sweet treats included.

“Smoking…anything! Open fire cooking is a concept that’ll never grow old, especially in a country where load shedding is practically part of life now. I can get behind cooking meals on an open fire without the meals having to taste like the wood used to ignite it. Smoked brisket? Yes please! Pulled pork cooked in a smoker? Yes please! Smokey desserts and drinks? No…no thank you.”

This year saw even more growth of the plant-based movement. Long gone are the days of almond milk trending but in 2021 oat milk took centre stage. Although this has been a favoured plant-based milk alternative among the world, Bianca Jones, Content Producer for Food24 explains that the hefty price of oat milk has to go.

“It’s just criminal to charge as much as they do for oat milk just because it’s trendy.”

Eggs are a staple, have them scrambled, fried, poached, used as collaborative ingredients or featuring as the star of the dish – they are a recipe basic. However, this year many dishes featuring an egg showcase a soft poached and yolky egg, something which Tessa Purdon, head of content, believes is overdone – even with an undercooked egg.

“I’d like to ditch egg-popping when people cut into a soft poached egg and video it.”

In the new year, Lauren Goldman, commissioning editor for Food24, hopes to create more balance in her diet – saying farewell to the constant comfort meals.

“Comfort food! As much as I love cheese, carbs and chocolate, I’ve realised I need to stop looking for comfort in food (and Netflix). So while comfort food will always have a special place in my heart, for me, 2022 will be all about balance after two years of uncertainty and stress- eating!”

For Food24’s social media manager, Ishani Chetty, the superfood latte’s are a no go.

“I grew up drinking what is termed now as ‘turmeric milk’. While it has health benefits, the over-charged prices are a reflection of what happens when something becomes a fad. There is a fine line behind ‘new trends’ and picking up old-age traditions and slapping fancy names on them, and in this case – claiming an Eastern tradition.”