Without a doubt, the world is a global village today, courtesy of the penetration of internet technology and the evolution of social media. How we interact has been reshaped—with people, politics, culture, or food. Our culinary sensibilities and food preferences are markedly influenced by online content. However, as powerful as it is, social media is not the only factor driving global food trends. Many factors play a role in the process, albeit social media tops the charts with the strongest contribution. 

Our article today explores the phenomenon of food trends and outlines the origin of some viral ones you can try this year—from ‘everything boards’ to plant-based foods, and exciting new wrap varieties.

How are food trends shaped?

Changes in how people connect with food—their perception and behavior, preferences, and consumption patterns—underlie all food trends. New trends are born as people’s lifestyles, how they perceive food ingredients and aesthetics, prepare, cook, and consume food, and their dining habits evolve. 

Some are short-lived social media fads that fade out after heightened hype—for instance, the ‘girl dinner’ and ‘feta pasta’ trends. Others are long-lasting shifts that shape over time owing to factors like population growth and urbanization. More people with more awareness and more money demand a variety of foods to fit their new lifestyles, evolving culinary preferences, dietary specifications, etc. 

Long-term food trends have a powerful impact across the food industry—from food entrepreneurs, experts, and chefs to the food supply chain and markets. These trends drive culinary innovation across a broad spectrum. As the creative spark catches, new ideas roll in, culinary sensibilities are progressively redefined, and consumer preferences evolve. 

The social media factor in food trends

Social media may not be the only birthplace of new food trends, but it is their greatest purveyor. Many trends have made their way into the food industry after going viral on social media. Whether something new is ignited in a home or restaurant kitchen, it is no longer made only to be eaten. Rather, to be shared with everyone through an encompassing visual experience. 

Social media has redefined how people discover new foods, ingredients, spices, recipes, cooking techniques, flavors, and fusions. From creative food challenges, unhealthy cravings, and grocery purchasing decisions, social media’s impact on our choices is complex yet ubiquitous. 

The more recent food trends in the U.S.

The convenience food trend that started in the U.S. after World War II was supposed to liberate women from the labor of cooking meals. As more women joined the workforce, home kitchens started to adopt processed foods, canned and frozen, that saved time.  

In the 1970s, organic food started to trend as people became skeptical about consuming crops that used synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. However, it was not until 30 years later that the USDA acknowledged the organic food trend and established national organic standards. This was a big boost to the demand for organic foods. 

The 1990s brought the functional food trend—foods specified for health use that deliver health benefits beyond basic nutrition. These are modified foods, processed to remove unhealthy components like fats and carbs and enriched with health-benefiting ingredients. Unlike diet foods that only focus on reducing the calorie content, fats, and carbs, functional foods deliver extra nutritional value to the health-conscious aging population.  

More recently, increased awareness has led to new long-term changes in food choices. Aspects like sustainability and ethical sourcing of ingredients have become points of consideration. Plant-based eating is a trend that’s still on the rise—the plant-based food market was worth $50 billion in 2023 and is projected to almost double by 2028. 

Cultural food trends are another common sight. Ready access to the sharing of ideas and access to information beyond geographic borders has given rise to a greater appreciation for cultural diversity. More people are open to experimenting with new ingredients, spices, and flavors, and celebrity chefs are having a ball creating dishes that fuse culinary traditions from around the globe.  

Deliciously doable popular food trends 

Here are some fun and nutritious food trends you can easily recreate in your kitchen.

#1. Wrap Culture

The wrap culture food trend did not start in the 1980s with Bobby Valentine’s broken toaster. People have long used their native flatbreads to wrap local food ingredients, raw and cooked, veggies, or protein. From Greek to Arab and Mexican, many culinary traditions have contributed to the wrap culture.   

In America, the Wellness Movement provided it a boost in the 1990s. The health-conscious consumers perceived wraps as the lighter alternative to traditional sandwiches. And professionals loved that it was easy to customize and carry, and quick to eat. But it was never as popular as it is now, courtesy of our fast-paced lifestyle and social media. The wrap culture trend has elevated a humble street food item to gourmet creations, adorned with diverse ingredients and packed with exciting cultural flavors. 

Try this food trend at home with TikTok Crunchwrap Supreme:

1. Divide your flour tortilla into four parts—quadrants—created by one single slit halfway through the flatbread.  
2. Grab chicken seekh kebab (the classic version from Colonel Kababz or the milder one from Kaiser. Heat the ready-to-eat kebabs in a skillet with a little oil, and crumble. Add sauces you like. 
3. When assembling, add shredded cheese and refried beans to one quadrant. The second gets a share of nacho cheese dip & the kebab mixture. On the third quadrant, place crispy tostada shells or tortilla chips. 
4. On the last quadrant, just add lettuce, sour cream, and chilli crisp. Fold the quadrants three times to make a triangle, and toast lightly in a hot pan. The cheese melts down nicely, kind of sealing the edges. 

Experiment with wraps from around the world

Find your wrap favorites from around the world. Lettuce wraps from China, Indian kati rolls, burritos from Mexico, and gyro wraps from Greece. Remake them with your favorite ingredients or take your taste buds on a spin with cultural flavors. Experiment with eggs and sausages for a breakfast wrap, or a sweet wrap with Nutella and strawberries. The only limit is your imagination!

#2. Grazing boards 

The ‘Everything Board’ food trend may have stemmed from visually appealing charcuterie boards, but it took quite a different tangent over the years. What began in 2021 as a potluck where everyone brought a board with different things, gave birth to many fun food boards with fried foods, bread & dips, dairy, and so on. The initial hype might have faded a little, but these grazing boards are still popular. They serve as elaborate centerpieces at parties, and are practical in that you can use them for bite-sized foods ideal for social eating.

Try this trend at home with a fried food board

With lots of crunchy foods such as chicken wings, nuggets, fries, mozzarella sticks, and an assortment of delicious dips, this grazing board is always a hit. The best part is that you can get as creative as you want. Add a desi touch to your board with Kaiser’s mini chicken or beef samosas, or an exotic twist of fusion with the mid-sized crispy chicken gyro samosa. Chicken spring rolls, the delightful South Asian snack, are a value addition to your fried food board. Don’t forget to add a ramekin each of hari chutney, imli chutney, and mint raita—because an epic experience of crunchy food calls for a great dip! 

#3. Swicy flavors

Spicy food trends have seen significant growth and innovation in recent years. There has been a notable shift towards bolder, more intense flavors and unique combinations. Young consumers, especially Gen Z, are more adventurous and seek out new and exciting spicy experiences. This is reflected in the popularity of spicy food mukbangs and foods such as the hot Korean noodles, the Korean fried chicken. The newest additions to the list are dishes with “swicy” (sweet and spicy) combinations.

Try this trend at home with “swicy chicken”

Create dishes at home to enjoy spicy and sweet combos—fried chicken with Mexican chocolate or honey–if you can afford the luxury of time and love to spend time in the kitchen.  

For a more bold and complex swicy chicken dish, try a combo of the Indian appetizer Chicken 65 and hot honey. And if you want a plant-based swicy appetizer or snack, try Paneer 65 with hot honey. The spicy marinade of these popular Indian appetizers goes perfectly with the sweet and spiced hot honey–great when you’re craving just that. 

Check out Kaiser’s Chicken and Paneer 65—you’ll save on prep time!

#4. Asian flavors 

Asian foods and flavors started to gain global traction by the late 19th century. Chinese culinary sensibilities had arrived in the U.S. in the mid-19th century through immigrants. However, mainstream acceptance of foreign flavors did not come until after the Second World War. Attitudes began to change in the post-World War II world. Asian and Polynesian flavors were perceived as exotic and have not gone out of vogue since. 

The successful export of Asian culture around the world in the form of anime, manga, k-dramas, and, of course, Bollywood, has put everything Asian in the spotlight. And while Asia has a very diverse food culture, this shift has led to the globalisation of certain East Asian foods and their culinary culture, such as smoky, hot flavors and fermented foods, which are typically enjoyed in Korea.  

Social media has been the most vociferous purveyor of Asian flavors into Western food preferences. It’s reported that over 60% consumers are open to trying new global foods, and in their books, Asian cuisines rank next to their local cuisine. The Chinese and Indian flavors rank as top favorites for people who enjoy exploring Asian food cultures. 

Try the Asian flavors food trend at home

Asian cooking is all about an intricate balance of flavors and a good amount of heat. Fermented chili paste from South Korea, as a base for ramen or tteokbokki, has been all the rage for the past year. Although it may seem to be an unfamiliar flavor, try to add kimchi to your meals—it’s a delicious, umami, and gut-friendly side. In summer, Hwachae (Korean fruit bowl drink) is an extremely refreshing and tasty way to cool off with a bunch of colorful fruits, jelly, boba, soda, and condensed milk. 

#5. Plant-based eating

A focus on plant-based eating predates social media. The notion of a vegetarian diet was part of the ancient Indus Valley civilizations, and a religious practice in ancient religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. 

The modern-day plant-based food trend, however, stems from concerns about health, ethical sourcing, and sustainability. It is one of the long-lasting trends we have seen with consumers increasingly focusing on vegan and vegetarian lifestyles. Not that without social media, plant-based eating would go out of vogue, but platforms like TikTok and Instagram play a pivotal role in keeping it alive and kicking—plant-based recipes continue to gain popularity and go viral now and then.

Try the plant-based food trend at home

You can easily replicate any of the much-famed TikTok recipes at home—the baked feta pasta, green goddess salad, lentil smashburger tacos, cucumber salad, and more. Culinary creations crafted under the label allow you to explore fun new ways to transition to a diet dominated by plant-based choices. For example, including vegetables and vegetarian sides to your meals—quinoa salad, zucchini noodles, japchae, etc. You can also keep crunchy and crispy vegetarian snack options around, such as veggie spring rolls, spinach and cheese puffs, etc. 

Concluding words…

Food trends are not fleeting internet moments. They are a reflection of how culture, technology, social connections, and personal preferences subtly affect our food choices. From viral wrap hacks and colorful grazing boards to bold global flavors, these trends offer something more than just aesthetics. They allow us to experiment with flavors, connect with diverse cultures, and build meals that are more nutritious and satisfying for our taste buds.

The best part? You don’t need a professional kitchen or fancy ingredients to recreate these trending foods at home. Whether it’s making a Crunchwrap with your favorite kebabs, “swicing” things up with a hot honey twist, or adding more plant-based ingredients to your plate, these food trends are convenient enough to let you do just that. With a little curiosity and creativity, you can make these trends entirely your own—adapted to your taste and pantry. 

So the next time you scroll past a food trend, don’t just like it. Give it a try. After all, in a world of food trends, there are no rules—only delicious inspiration.