A new year often brings with it new imagination for the 12 months to come. This is especially relevant to the food and beverage industry, which relies on innovation, variety, and knowing what the latest trends are to attract and retain customers.
After a disrupted and difficult couple of years, it is especially important now for a Drink & Beverage Manufacturing Company to tap into what people want when it comes to going out to eat, ordering a meal in a hotel, or buying food and drink to enjoy at home. Understanding consumer preferences and trends is crucial for the success of any company in the food and beverage industry. With changing lifestyles and an increased focus on health and wellness, consumers are seeking options that align with their dietary needs and personal preferences.
Get your 2022 food and drink offering on-trend
As ever, different trends are rising to the fore as people adjust to fewer pandemic-related restrictions, the colder, wetter conditions of winter, and new plans made for a productive, enjoyable 2022. Here are six areas that could well become big (or bigger) news this year for the food and beverage industry.
1. Breakfasts
We have had several months now of working from home, which has had repercussions on our morning routines. Many people now have more time for breakfast if they are working exclusively from home or operating more of a hybrid working pattern with some days in the office as well.
So, out go the rushed pieces of toast and microwaved oat pots gulped down on the train or bus into work. In come more leisurely, adventurous breakfasts that can be planned, shopped for, prepared, and enjoyed in relative peace without the risk of indigestion from rushing around and eating too quickly. More people are enjoying eggs, bacon, and mushrooms cooked in innovative ways, for example.
2. Veganism and flexitarianism
The popularity of ‘Veganuary’, or the challenge of only eating a vegan diet for the month of January seems to be as high as ever this year. For people who like the idea of veganism but are put off by its strict manifesto, the option of going ‘flexitarian’ in 2022 can also be appealing.
Flexitarianism allows the addition of limited meat products, fish, or dairy to a largely vegetarian diet and offers greater flexibility and choice. There are more food and drink products out there now for plant-curious eaters than ever before and this trend shows no sign of slowing down. What’s more, demand is growing for higher-quality meat products as people pay closer attention to this aspect of their diets.
3. Alternative milk – including potato
Closely linked to a vegan and flexitarian diet is the choice of non-dairy milk. This is a rapidly growing sector of the food and beverage market. It also appeals to people seeking to get fit after the excesses of Christmas by reducing the number of saturated fats and sugar they consume.
As well as the long-established oat and almond milk, the latest reduced sugar option is potato milk. This is also very low in saturated fats and is made from potatoes and the water they are boiled in. This helps keep in as many nutrients as possible.
4. Meal kits and bottled cocktails
These two trends can be combined under the heading of ‘convenient luxury’. During the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, people looked for alternative ways to tempt the palate while their favorite eateries were closed.
Meal kits, delivered to the door, gave foodies the chance to prepare beautiful dishes for less effort than making meals from scratch. Likewise, bottle cocktails offered a delicious taste and fun experience without having to go through several steps or buy loads of separate ingredients to mix an exotic drink.
5. Smaller menus
Both Brexit and COVID-19, with the staff and supply shortages that they brought with them, have forced hotels, restaurants, and cafes to rethink their menus. Rather than attempting to offer a wide range of dishes, many places have survived – and even thrived – by switching to smaller, more manageable menus.
This approach enables chefs to develop specialties and has more time to perfect a select number of meals rather than trying to produce too many different types of meals at once. Having smaller menus can give an air of exclusivity and quiet, accomplished expertise too – all things that can attract discerning customers to your business in 2022.
6. Pet-friendly places to eat
We all know at least one person who acquired a lockdown cat or dog in 2020 or 2021. We love our pets as a nation and this is a trend that food and beverage businesses can capitalize on this year. The once-niche ‘cat café’ model of giving people the chance to eat lovely food while petting fluffy animals has caught on in many geographical areas.
At the very least, offering water bowls for dogs and ‘doggy bags’ to feed cats at home could help attract more customers who are keen to include their canine and feline friends in 2022. Or incorporate pet themes into your décor to make people feel at home.
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