Welcome to the future of food! Did you know that what we eat today will shape what people will eat in the future? That’s right! If you notice, the foods that were cooked in the past have been modified into food trends that we see on social media. The same goes for kitchen equipment that makes cooking easier and safer. In the day of AI, expect that it will also power through the food industry. Today, get ready to be amazed by these 15 futuristic food trends predicted by specialists.
15. Robotic Sous Chef
Speaking of AI, expect some robotic chefs in the future that will be kitchen appliances. Companies such as Moley Robotics are creating automated chefs that can learn recipes and cook for you. The best part is that they can cook meals with the skill of a master chef. It’s like having your own personal chef at home, like the wealthy have!
14. Edible Insects
Nope, this isn’t an episode from Fear Factor, as insects have been predicted to be the new protein. Insects like crickets, mealworms, and ants are found to be packed with vitamins and minerals that make a great superfood. They only require a fraction of land, water, and feed compared to traditional livestock, which is great for the planet. Don’t worry, you don’t have to eat them as they are, since they will be incorporated into powders and protein bars.
13. Vertical Farming
In the future, expect to see skyscrapers that are also farms that could grow fresh produce in the heart of the urban. That’s vertical farming for you, which is a different approach in agriculture and the food system. They would grow crops out of those vertically stacked layers, which would turn into indoor farms. Regardless of the weather, they would keep producing food year-round. This invention promises more nutritious produce and a smaller carbon footprint.
12. Algae
Algae is becoming the next superfood. It’s a single-celled aquatic organism that we usually see in ponds. They’re found to be packed with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. The thing that makes them an excellent choice is that they grow everywhere and require minimal land and fresh water. Also, food scientists are already using them to create plant-based shrimps and healthy oils.
11. Smart Packaging
Gone are the days when we do a sniff test over foods we suspect are not fresh. Smart packaging will soon emerge to be able to tell consumers when their food is fresh or spoiled. They would make use of sensors and indicators that would monitor food in real time. Some packages will go as far as changing color to let you know if your food is about to expire. This means less food waste for the planet and more confidence in what you consume.
10. Lab-Grown Meat
Lab-grown meat is the revolution of the protein industry. Scientists are able to grow real meat using animal cells without the need for traditional agriculture. That’s less environmental impact and no animal welfare concerns for you. The FDA has already approved companies UPSIDE Foods and GOOD Meat will be producing their products in restaurants and supermarkets soon enough.
9. Mycoprotein
The future of plant-based meat is mycoprotein. You’ve read that right, as this superfood is a fermented form of the mycelium, which is a fungus. Mycoprotein features a meat-like texture with the umami flavor that makes it a perfect substitute. It also has everything a protein has, which are all nine essential amino acids and fiber. Companies such as Meati and Quorn are already making use of mycoprotein for plant-based steaks, chicken cutlets, and such.
8. 3D Printed Food
Your dinner will now be printed in 3D. This revolutionary 3D food printing is a kitchen tool that allows you to create meals with customized shapes, texture, and, most importantly, nutritional content. They will be able to create intricate designs for aesthetics through sculptures and portions. Its best feature also lies in personalized meals for those who have specific dietary needs.
7. Precision Fermentation
We all know that fermentation is an ancient technique with food that’s still widely used in many cultures today. However, it’s about to meet technology through precision fermentation. It will make use of microorganisms like yeast and bacteria to produce proteins, fats, and other food ingredients. Basically, we get to create animal-free dairy products that are the same as the real thing. It could also produce sustainable palm oil without having to clear rainforests. Its amazing feature is that it will be able to create exotic flavors that no one has tasted before.
6. Functional Foods
Functional foods are about adding nutrients to your food. Just think of coffee with nootropics for focus or a snack with anti-inflammatory ingredients. It’s all about making nutrients easy to reach without taking a handful of supplements. They’re created to provide you with health benefits that are beyond basic nutrition.
5. Blockchain
Blockchain is the technology that powers cryptocurrencies, and now they’re making the food supply chain secure. Blockchain will be creating a digital ledger in the food production process, which will be there from farm to table as they record the food’s journey. Basically, they will be able to trace foodborne illness outbreaks and verify the authenticity of organic produce. They also have the ability to identify inefficiency in the food chain, which would help reduce food waste.
4. Personalized Nutrition
Forget one-size-fits-all diets, as this new technology will be able to make nutrition personal to each individual. Through advanced genetic testing and AI, your diet plan will be tailored based on your unique DNA. They can analyze genetic predispositions in health conditions, metabolism, and taste preferences to create a diet fit for your body. Through science, the world will be able to say goodbye to unhealthy fad diets and hello to the one that will bring them close to their health goals.
3. Food as Medicine
We’re about to see healthy eating move to advanced lengths where food is used to prevent and treat chronic diseases. We’re seeing the rise of medically tailored meals to reach our nutritional needs, as this approach is about getting the power of specific nutrients and bioactive compounds. We’re also seeing the growing interest in foods that can support and improve mental health.
2. AI-Powered Food Discovery
We’re also putting AI into “food” use by helping us with our choices. It’s all powered by AI algorithms that can analyze thousands of recipes, flavor pairings, and chemical compounds to generate new recipe ideas. AI will also be serving us recipes that are healthier versions of our favorite foods, as it has stored data that it will be able to combine to create its own ideas.
1. Upcycled Food Movement
We’re seeing a trend that will rise soon, as it makes you rethink your food waste. This upcycled food movement transforms food waste by finding creative ways to use parts of food that are typically thrown away. It means turning fruit pulp into flour and water from canned chickpeas for vegan mayonnaise. It’s all about sustainability, where people are growing more aware of the importance of saving the planet.