2017 food trends according to Waitrose

As we get close to the end of the year, predictions about what will be the “next big thing” are being formulated. The Waitrose grocery chain has just weighed in on what to expect in 2017 by providing the results of its annual survey of food trends.

Waitrose surveys shoppers who use all supermarkets in the UK. The report of the findings showed that one of the biggest trends among younger consumers is the posting of meals on social media, which nearly one-third of those aged 18 to 34 say they do regularly. This can lead to making more effort in cooking so that the cooks can post a better photo. Says Rob Collins, Waitrose’s managing director, this form of self-expression is “today’s hottest social currency.”

Turning to the food fads, the survey found that in 2016, the biggest trends were churros, seeds, seaweed, and Asian steamed buns. Healthy eating was also big, as sales of vegetables like aubergine (eggplant) steadily increased, along with healthy seeds and whole grains. Looking forward, the predictions for 2017 include poke (the Hawaiian raw fish salad), vegetable yogurts (think beet and cucumber flavors), and watermelon juice. The last item has surged in popularity thanks to Beyoncé’s star power: she recently purchased a stake in the WTRMLN WTR brand. Also watch out for gourmet food kits – retailer Marks & Spencer is developing a program for healthy kits to assist “time-poor consumers who want to try to cook from scratch”.

Photo of DIY poke bowls  from What’s Gaby Cooking  by Gaby Dalkin