Let’s be honest here. 2019 has given us some serious food goals. While some food trends made us hope that they will be around in 2020, others just made us cringe. It’s easy to blame the millennials for having started them, but tons of people have ended up following these trends. Call it strange, quirky or downright whacky, they have managed to blow up the internet. Take a look as we round up the most bizarre food trends that went viral.
Freak Shakes
View this post on Instagram
This monster of a drink has taken the world by storm. With roots in Australia, this over-indulgent recipe is being replicated all over the globe at lightning speed. The idea behind freak shakes is to put together everything, and as much of it as you can, so as to create a mash-up of drink and dessert. Though extremely messy, they are fun and easy to make. This monstrous drink usually floods out of a mason jar and contains almost every sweet/candy/chocolate that you can imagine. From regular whipped cream, berries and syrups to the strangest of the lot - including pretzels, popcorn, candy corn and even mini waffles - these super-loaded shakes are a big hit on our list. Moreover, they are sure to get your Insta-game on point!
Impossible Burgers
View this post on Instagram
Many might wonder why plant-based burgers are all the rage these days. Purists may argue about how a burger without meat isn’t the real deal, but vegans might beg to differ. Shrouded in controversy and subject to intense debates, these plant-based meat alternatives have burst onto the international food stage of late. While the good old ‘dirty burger’ still has a huge fan following, impossible burgers have carved a niche for themselves. Made of plant products, these burgers are known for their ‘meaty’ flavour’ and the vegan-friendly patty that bleeds and sizzles when cooked. Considered a lot more environment friendly than its beef counterpart, it’s a good way to satisfy the cravings of those who crave real meat.
Avocado Toast
View this post on Instagram
Wondering why and how the internet became obsessed with avocados? A while ago, even we were sailing in the same boat. To be honest, avocados couldn’t be more basic. But the recent obsession over it has hit a high. And it’s not just a millennial thing any more. From toasts to salads to sandwiches, and even shakes - the omnipresence of avocados has amassed a fair share of admirers. A quick research had us finally decoding the mystery behind this sudden popularity. What has gotten people hooked to the avocado phenomenon, or as fans call it ‘Avocaderia’, is the no-guilt over-indulgence. Healthy, vegan and gluten-free, it has managed to tick off all the boxes. The fact that it is Instagrammable gets it some more brownie points. So truth be told, this trend is here to stay!
Rainbow Food
View this post on Instagram
A trend that went a bit too far, we think. There is no other way to describe this fad. Having an Instagram feed that is full of food pictures and videos, it makes it all the more difficult to get past this internet sensation. We are talking about rainbow food. Love it, hate it but you can’t ignore it. With several variations, including unicorn food and galaxy food, rainbow-coloured edibles are all over the place. From multicoloured bagels to grilled cheese, and even coffee, it seems none of our favourite foods have managed to escape this trend. The popularity can be attributed to the millennial plague. What started out as an innocent, visually appealing fare, escalated into a fad and eventually became the hottest new trend. Artificially-coloured food items initially began trending to stave off the vanilla look of a plate of food. Soon, thanks to the power of social media, it had got people stuffing their faces with brightly coloured foods. And it's given us some major FOMO!
Vegan Cafes
View this post on Instagram
Impossible burgers, meaty mushrooms and dessert hummus. Vegan food is on the rise and so are vegan cafes. Gone are the days when vegans had to settle for a bowl of sprouts and salads. With a market that’s emerging just to cater to the needs of vegans and vegetarians, healthy eating is emerging as the next big thing. Veganism is growing in India by the minute and many entrepreneurs can be seen capitalising on it by creating a niche in this space. The reasons for turning vegan vary from health to being considerate towards animals and the environment. With celebrities like Virat Kohli joining the vegan bandwagon, with his hospitality venture One8 Commune and other vegan–friendly cafes like Greenr, the future look bright.
Zero-Waste Eating
The first question that pops in our mind - is it really possible? According to a recent study, 30% of the food produced worldwide is wasted every year. The idea of zero waste eating was introduced to combat this. This concept goes hand in hand with zero-waste cooking, which is exactly what it sounds like. While some of the waste is practically unavoidable, restaurants around the world are trying to cut down on the waste they produce, beginning with reducing the food they cook so that only the required amount of supplies are stocked, and additionally serving portions that will actually be consumed. Furthermore, these places have also resorted to methods like composting and donating glass - and other trash - for recycling.