Today, Thuisbezorgd.nl introduces the Food Trend Report 2021. In this first edition of the report, the food ordering site presents the latest trends and developments in the field of taste, food and ordering behaviour. The report is based on anonymized data of all orders from 12,000 member restaurants over the past year. From 'food tribes' to dining experience and from functional ingredients that are better for life and limb, to chicken dishes with a special twist. The food trends for 2022 show that the restaurant world and taste of the Dutch have gained momentum.
More and more vegetarian and vegan alternatives in addition to beloved classics
Although Italian cuisine with pizza is a favorite with the Dutch, Middle Eastern cuisine is quickly gaining popularity. The trendiest dish of 2021 that rose the fastest in popularity is therefore the pita falafel. A dish that is seen as a tasty vegetarian alternative. The demand for vegetarian and vegan dishes is growing enormously. The number of orders for these dishes rose sharply this year, not only in the Randstad, but also beyond. The greatest growth was seen in Limburg cities with more than 55% more vegetarian and vegan orders in 2021.
The luxury of having food delivered has become commonplace, which means that eating at home must (also) be healthy. Consumers are increasingly choosing dishes and drinks with positive properties for themselves; a better body and a better mind. In the past, this often involved 'less' salt, sugar, carbohydrates and fat. But in 2022 it is about 'better'. Concentrate better, exercise better, look better, for example with vegetable proteins, ginger or beets. Functional ingredients that are better for me may not necessarily be better for you. It's about what suits your body and personal lifestyle.
Humans are social beings. We feel related to others who behave like us. Food is an important element to experience kinship, so important that we can speak of 'food tribes'. People who feel connected by choice in their food. If you eat keto, then you look for others who eat keto. If you eat less or no meat, you look for other vegans, vegetarians or flexitarians. If you avoid lactose in your orders, you exchange tips with others who do the same. Striking similarity among these Food Tribes; they like to share their chosen eating style on social media.
Eating out or having food brought home serves one of two purposes; convenience or conviviality. Delivery has so far mainly focused on convenience. We wanted the meal in front of us as quickly as possible in 'optima forma'. In recent years we have seen a change. Because delivered dishes become cozier, more beautiful and more impressive. Experience is supposedly added to it. This can be done offline with beautifully illustrated pizza boxes, stickers on the packaging explaining how best to prepare the food or with a handwritten note from the restaurateur or chef. Online experience will also gain ground, with music playlists for the right mood at dinner, funny videos with the dish or clever combinations such as movie suggestions on your favorite streaming platform that fit perfectly with the meal.
The most ordered dishes of 2021 are fries, burgers and pizzas. Old acquaintances, who have never changed, right? Nope, a lot is changing about ordering food for these old-timers. For example, fries are now 'coated', so that they remain crispy for longer. And the order of layers on the burger is perfected so that it doesn't leak. And there are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options at both the American and Italian crowd favorite. A new trend; temporary dishes on the menu. For example, a fresh spring burger or a pizza with mushrooms or pumpkin in the fall.
Korean Fried Chicken, chicken katsu on your Japanese sando or buttermilk chicken burgers, the breaded chicken is hard to imagine on the menu. Chicken also fits perfectly as protein on your poké bowl or in healthy salads. Chicken is the only type of meat that is still growing for sale in Europe and it is the type of meat for which the most and best meat substitutes are currently available. The versatility of the (vegetable) chicken burgers, fillets and pieces will ensure a real chicken boom in the coming year.
Convenience serves people more and more times, so let's deliver food and drink for more and more occasions. Think of breakfast or lunch, but also a healthy meal after exercise, a good meal with a movie at the weekend or a picnic in the park when the weather is nice. Moments that lend themselves to dishes from the cold kitchen; overnight oats, tuna sandwiches, poké bowls, nachos with guacamole or fresh bread with orange juice.
