UK-based ingredient distributor Henley Bridge has revealed its food trend predictions for 2021. As the F&B industry looks ahead to 2021, Japanese cuisines will be in the spotlight, adventurous dishes will come to the fore and vegan NPD will continue to grow. 

According to the company, consumers will be a lot more willing to try new things next year  – and the more obscure, the better.

“Consumers will be looking for new ‘foodie adventures’ and embracing new flavor profiles and ideas in 2021,” Tracey Hughes, managing director of Henley Bridge, tells FoodIngredientsFirst. 

“Plant-based chocolates will come into the mainstream, providing a new way of delivering flavors. Passionfruit, rum and other Caribbean influences look set to be popular,” she reveals. 

During lockdowns, people have become even more health conscious, and they’ve had more time to research food and ingredients. “More adventurous dishes will replac comfort foods,” adds Samantha Rain, a development chef at the company. 

Vegan and plant-based growth is set to continue, alongside an increasing number of people who are mostly but not exclusively vegan. “Vegan ingredients will therefore be key,” highlights Rain.

Japanese cuisine and ingredients headed for success 
Authentic spices and cuisines, particularly Japanese, will also be prevalent in 2021, and chefs and home cooks will be looking for concentrated pastes and ready-to-use sauces that offer authentic flavor profiles.

“We expect to see kinako (roasted soybean flour), sakura (cherry blossom flower), yuzu and anko (red beans) cropping up on menus,” details Hughes. 

Additionally, soy (edamame) beans will be a popular ingredient, providing a rich protein source in a wide range of dishes from salads to soups and stews to stir-fries.

The Olympic Games, which have been postponed to 2021, will be a key driver for this, she adds. 

Luxurious indulgence 
To some degree, the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted consumers to revert to nostalgic favorites, as they sought comfort in their food choices. 

However, there has also been a huge demand for affordable luxury treats, Hughes flags. 

“Luxury chocolate products are a huge growth area as consumers seek indulgence when enjoying a sweet treat. We’re also seeing growing demand from home cooks for products traditionally reserved for professional chefs. This month, we are launching the Sosa Home Gourmet range to cater for this.

According to the company, coffee will also be a trending flavor in 2021 – not necessarily in traditional beverages but in chocolate, truffles and cakes. 

“We see some exciting flavor combinations when it comes to gelato and sorbets, for example, pear and Parmesan sorbet, gin and tonic sorbet, chili and chocolate ice cream and rhubarb and ginger,” Hughes explains. 

The UK sees a massive revival in craft bakery, with traditional processing methodology being adopted again to introduce interesting shapes and delicious flavors in bread and innovative confectionery. 

“Sourdough is here to stay, and as the craft trend continues to grow, there will be more oven bottom breads in various shapes, as well as overnight sponge and dough, to further naturally enhance flavor,” explains Trish Fellowes, business development manager for chocolate, bakery and foodservice.
Dairy-free and vegan concepts will continue to be significant in ice cream. Still, it’s all about choosing the right milk for your flavor profile, according to Steve Carrigan, gelato and ice cream technician.

“For example, soy milk works brilliantly with chocolate but not vanilla, which is best made using coconut milk,” he says. 

In ice cream specifically, demand for interesting and unusual flavor combinations will rise, with spices providing “perfect pairings,” such as rhubarb and ginger, chili and chocolate, pear and cardamom, and cinnamon and hazelnut, Carrigan explains.

As consumers continue to demand more healthy treats, 2021 will see more plant-based, naturally sweet ingredients used as inclusions, replacing refined sugars and added sugars. 

“Fruits, nuts and spices continue to be popular,” adds Fellowes. 

“Natural flavorings will become more prominent, as will vegan chocolate, palm-free coatings, and quality organic vanilla pods and cocoa powders, such as our deZaan brands.” 

Texture is hugely important when it comes to baked goods. The hits of 2021 will be toasted coconut, cranberries and vine fruits, notes Fellowes.