2014 Food Trend Prediction #10

International Restaurant Flavors At Home

As Spanish will become the most widely spoken language by 2030, America’s makeup is vastly changing, and the country is becoming an even more diverse melting pot than it has been in the past. In fact, Latino and Asian populations are now the fastest growing U.S. population and are influencing more than language in our country. Inspirations from their heritages and traditions are quickly changing our palettes.

The surges of Latino and Asian populations and growing consumer interest in adding more flavor and variety to mealtime has led to more growth opportunities for Latin and Asian cuisines in the food world.  A survey from the School Nutrition Association found a growing prevalence of global food choices in school cafeterias, with most schools offering Mexican and Asian dishes and many experimenting with Middle Eastern, Greek, Kosher/Halal and Indian foods. Some school districts report they also use their international menus to promote cultural awareness. 

With children being exposed to global cuisine flavors at a much younger age than in previous generations, international flavors will be more accepted by these children as they age, and their palates will be more sophisticated at a younger age.  And with children influencing nearly 80 percent of purchase decisions by families, look for consumers to be spending more time in the international flavor aisles of the grocery store, so they can bring these flavors to their dinner table with options like Rosarita and RoTEL.

This upcoming year, our palettes will become more exposed to exotic flavors, but will soon become an everyday staple for most of our society. With a wide variety of international flavors available in the U.S., children and adults will explore what is now perceived as adventurous flavors and will eventually evolve into normalcies found in groceries stores, homes and restaurants alike.