WGSN Food & Drink Trend Predictions for 2021
While serving as the Director of the Food & Drink team at WGSN in autumn of 2021, our team assembled key trends for 2021. These eight trends reflected the pandemic’s push on plant-based meats and convenient beverages in cans, a new level of personal health management directed at nootropics and sleep aids, plus some much-needed indulgences. Looking back from the vantage point of January 2024, I think we did pretty well. Lab-grown foods have evolved into cultivated meat products, more vegan baked goods and brands are rising to meet the needs for mission-driven eaters, and sleep is still a top health focus. Here is a look back:
Key Trends for 2021 are:
Make Room for Labriculture – The food-tech arena will surge, with lab-grown beef, seafood and dairy joining plant-based meat and dairy by the end of the year as alternatives to animal products.
Craveable Vegan – Expect tastier vegan tacos, soul food and indulgent snacks from chefs and creators pairing exciting plant-based ingredients with favourite flavors.
Coffee Convenience – Homebound coffee drinking is yielding more convenient coffee formats like concentrates, steeped, single-serve bags and edible coffee snacks.
Canned Everything – Along with canned wine, cocktails and hard beverages, 2021 will welcome innovation in sustainable aluminum cans to support our passion for portable potables.
Crazy for Cacao – Chocolate lovers will have more to enjoy thanks to resourceful new products being created from cacao pods, and increased attention to cacao’s heritage and preservation.
Burnt Basque Cheesecake – This buzzy dessert’s oozing, creamy center and alluring charred top will move from Instagram comfort-food darling to menu and freezer-case treat.
Brain Food – It’s been hard to focus this year. Brands will leverage the mental clarity benefits of L-Theanine, the amino acid that powers green tea and other nootropics, to help us think clearly.
Sleepy Time Eats – Need some rest? Turn to new food and drink designed to promote a good night’s sleep, from natural botanicals, fruits and other nutritious ingredients.