Food Trends 2016
10 Things You Have to Eat in 2016, Ranked
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Egg muffins, zucchini noodles, and matcha drinks: what do these have in common? You've seen them everywhere, in restaurants as well as your Facebook and Pinterest feeds. These viral foods have become incresingly mainstream, and we're betting they'll become even more prevalent in 2016. We may go so far as to say they could become the next kale. So, here's the bucket list you need to try for yourself before the end of the year.
1 Meal Delivery Services
Americans want to eat well and conveniently at home, resulting in the influx of meal delivery services, from ready-made meals to ingredient bundles awaiting prep. Whatever your preference and personality, it's worth trying out a service at least once to see if you're inspired to eat in.
2 Hacky "Recipes"
Food hacks have exploded over the web as most millenials would prefer an effortless (but original) cooking technique over a complex recipe. A few unique ones to try: the best effing two-ingredient chicken, spaghetti cooked in red wine, and four-ingredient peanut butter cookies.
3 Egg Muffins
The most popular piece of kitchen equipment right now has to be the muffin tin — but not for making muffins. Of all the muffin tin recipes out there, egg muffins are all the rage. Make a dozen tasty omelets now; freeze or refrigerate for later.
4 Veggies Replace Carbs
Raw, vegan, and Paleo diets popularized the concept of replacing pasta and rice with veggie versions, but these days, more people want to trade in carbs for spiralized veggies. Zucchini noodles and cauliflower rice are some of the most common recipes and a good starting place.
5 Bento Box Meal Prep
Mason jar salads have taken over Instagram and Pinterest, but there's another container competing in the lunch scene: bento boxes. Moms love them for packing kids' lunches and healthy eaters appreciate the portion control, but anyone can really benefit from the beautiful organization bento boxes provide when prepping lunch.
6 Acai Bowls
Froyo shops are shuttering at an alarming rate and what's replacing them is acai bowl shops. The purple Brazilian superfruit, pronounced ah-sci-ee, is blended like a smoothie with non-dairy milk and bananas, poured in a bowl, and then garnished with lots of toppings. Granola and fresh fruit are the most popular choices, but bee pollen, hemp seeds, and honey are also common. Even if you don't have a shop near you, most grocery stores carry all the ingredients to make a homemade acai bowl.
7 Root-to-Stem Cooking
Nose-to-tail butchery has been replaced by root-to-stem veggie cookery as vegetables, not meat, are filling the plate in restaurants and in homes. In addition, Americans are becoming increasingly concerned with food waste and ways to offset it, inspiring unique ways to use up the less appealing parts of veggies. Juicing, pickling, making veggie stock, and blending into pesto are just a few tastebud-pleasing ideas.
8 Matcha
Americans are craving more and more umami (aka savoriness), so it makes sense that matcha, ground Japanese green tea, is becoming a commonplace order in coffee shops and tea cafes (which seem to be popping up on every block). When prepared traditionally, the beverage is frothy and slightly grassy, but when served as a latte with plenty of steamed milk and sugar, matcha tastes like marshmallow tea.
9 Home-Brewed Beer
According to Pinterest, home-brewed beer is one of the top-searched techniques on its platform and is expected to continue to grow in popularity. If you are a total noob, better rely on a beer making kit ($50) so your chances of sudsy success increase tenfold.
10 Poke Bowls
Sashimi-filled poke bowls are becoming the next burrito bowl. While it's easy to find poke bowl restaurants on both coasts of the US (and Hawaii, where they originated), you can jump in on the trend at home with this tuna poke bowl recipe. Sushi lovers, prepare for this to be your next favorite dish.
