When foodie trends hit the mass market, it’s hard not to miss them, and they seem to stick around for a while. Pumpkin spiced lattes, truffle french fries, and bacon everything – it seems that every year has its own major food highlight, and 2019 is no different. To learn about what’s next in the food world, we’ve picked the brains of some of the best chefs and culinary enthusiasts around.
New to the Scene
In 2018, it was all about kale and spirulina, but more recently chefs are looking to showcase new ingredients, and their curiosity is paving the way for unique newcomers like cumquat and sorrel. Instead of squeezing some lemon or lime to add a bit of citrus, citron is making a splash with its fragrant, thick rind. Amaranth has twice as much iron as quinoa and provides a fresh grain alternative to barley and farro.
Feed Your Gut
Now more than ever people are being more conscientious about seeing food as a fuel for healthy lifestyles. Recent studies have shown that gut bacteria play a significant role in autoimmune diseases and mood disorders, shedding new light on the idea of food as medicine. Fermented foods like, kombucha, kimchi, kefir, pickles, and sauerkraut, are flourishing with probiotics that help create a healthy gut and boost the immune system. Don’t be surprised if you start seeing boutique hotels and lifestyle brands start curating their own styles of fermented goodies to align with this new trend.
It’s Tea Time
Tea has always been a classic beverage, and next to water it’s the most widely consumed drink in the world. However, while many may think of tea as something their boring great aunt would drink, leaf-lovers are looking to transform it into a modern delicacy. Nitro tea infuses nitrogen to give the tea a silky smooth flavor that avoids the bitterness of over steeping, while still keeping the flavor strong. Teas are also being used more often in cocktails like a white peach and green tea bellini which mixes gin, prosecco, and iced green tea.
Taste the Trends
With over 8,000 restaurants, Chicago is the perfect culinary playground to see these trends in action. And with luxury resorts like Eaglewood Resort & Spa, you’ll also have access to restaurants right outside your suite. Have a farm-to-table experience with the freshly curated menu at Burnham’s or enjoy made-from-scratch American cuisine outdoors with the warmth of a fire pit and views of their on-site golf course at Prairie River.
