Are you really food trendy? Discover the food trends of 2024

Yogurt, kefir, kimchi, kombucha, and good old sauerkraut: fermented foods are all the rage. This ancient practice has been rediscovered and is gaining popularity. This is due to their taste, of course, but also (and especially) for the health benefits they provide. These foods contribute to gut health and overall well-being: bacteria, yeasts, and molds transform proteins and carbohydrates into lactic acid, enzymes, vitamins, omega-3s, and probiotics.

The truly trendy ingredient this year? The large, rugged leaves of the fig tree. In recent months, chefs have gone crazy for this ingredient, which has forcefully entered countless recipes (some have made a ragù, while others serve a mignonette with oysters). Then there are syrups for cocktails, liqueurs, infusions: behind a fig leaf lies great versatility.

This year, two foods that can replace meat for their protein content have definitively taken center stage. Beans have always been around, but they are now more fashionable than ever, from the kitchens of top chefs to appetizers. And then mushrooms (like the king oyster, a must for 2024): the basic idea is to replace all animal-based products with plant-based alternatives.

Not just beer and wine: the phenomenon of so-called "non-alcoholic spirits" is steadily growing. Bars, clubs, and beach resorts have adapted, and mocktails, the non-alcoholic version of cocktails, can now be found almost everywhere. The number of producers is increasing, recipes are evolving, and alcohol-free beverages (with the flavors and complexities of traditional alcoholic products) are especially popular among young people.

Fine dining is expensive, and the industry is struggling: high-end kitchens seem less sustainable, yet chefs have become stars. This has led to a trend of packaged products associated with the name of a chef or restaurant: Cracco set the trend, and now sauces, dressings, and mayonnaise from various chefs are everywhere. Marketing, fame, and product quality: the recipe is served.