Go (coco)nuts! Share this story with your friends.
Clear the dining table of last year’s crumbs and make way for a new crop of food products that are expected to invade our daily meals. Some are familiar and haven’t really had their time in the spotlight yet, while others are unheard of, until now. In any case, all will certainly be recognized this year (according to different analysts and forecasts) as food items that will surely leave an impression on our mouths.
1. The new Salted Caramel: Matcha
Salted caramel has already lodged itself as a reliable-when-all-else-fails flavor. It’s almost in the same rank as vanilla and chocolate. As it moves to its more stable status, a new spot opens. This is where matcha may take over. Fueled by the people’s choice for a healthier lifestyle, the Japanese green tea powder will be present in many menus and be peppered on both sweet and savory dishes, lending not just color but an adorably bittersweet flavor. (Photo: foodrepublic.com)
2. The new Kale: Cauliflower
Kale is just picking up in Metro Manila and it’s probably because of the limited awareness and supply of the superfood locally. Expected to be more ubiquitous in restaurants this year is cauliflower, which, because of its absence in flavor, becomes the perfect canvass for flavor additions. We will soon be able to enjoy the likes of cauliflower steaks and mash. Rob Goco’s Green Pastures (4/F, East Wing, Shangri-La mall, Mandaluyong; +63 2 6543219) is already ahead of the game with cauliflower rice. (Photo: pcdateam.org)
3. The new Quinoa: Teff
Health addicts have already made quinoa a staple in their pantries and diets before they could even pronounce it correctly. Well, there’s a new kid on the block and given its super health benefits, people should make space for it. The tiny-grained, gluten-free Teff is akin to poppy seeds, high in calcium, iron and protein, and has a subtly sweet taste that can be added to either sweet or savory dishes. (Photo: nakedfoodmagazine.com)
4. The new Coconut Water: Maple Water
Whatever pop icon Beyonce does, others do. So when she habitually downed a detox beverage consisting of maple syrup and water, people followed. Her loyal fans also savored the sap coming straight from maple trees as well as all the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that naturally come with it. Best of all, it has more manganese than a cup of kale and just half the amount of sugar found in coconut water. So, who run the world? (Photo: drinkseva.com)
5. The new Sriracha: Harissa
Flaming up mouths this year is the North African spice mix called harissa. Composed of dried chilies, garlic, tomatoes, caraway, paprika, coriander and olive oil, this fiery condiment is used like tomato ketchup in countries like Tunisia. Not long, US consumers will get into the action and harissa, which has a similar flavor profile and versatility like sriracha, will be igniting the palettes of many. (Photo: seriouseats.com)
Reader Interactions