trend: (n.) a general direction in which something is developing or changing – English Oxford Dictionary
Each year Salt Lake City consumers experience new flavor combinations that take the culinary world by storm, and 2018 is no different. While new food trends don’t instantly appear as snacks or meals in micro-markets or vending machines, they will eventually make their way toward the office break room.
Here are a few new food trends that you’ll likely see in 2018.
Foods from Hawaii—where East meets West For years, the Hawaiian islands have been known for their native dishes such as Poi, a staple food made from the root of the taro plant. The influx of cultures from around the world has, however, created new dishes that have made their way across the continental United States. Don’t be surprised if you see any of the following around Salt Lake City in 2018.
Poke (pronounced “POH-keh”) Bowl: chunks of raw, marinated fish, usually tuna, tossed over rice or quinoa, and topped with vegetables and umami-packed sauces.
Loco Moco: 1st layer: white rice or fried rice; 2nd layer: a beef patty, Spam, or Portuguese sausage; 3rd layer: brown gravy; 4th layer: a fried egg
Malasadas: a Portuguese, eggy, yeast doughnut (with no hole) that is fried and rolled in sugar
Is it art, or is it food?
Neither—it’s both. Chefs are using a mix of high-antioxidant fruits and vegetables to create eye-candy colored delicacies that that are part art and part food. Whether it’s a snack, a sweet treat, or a gourmet coffee, there are endless possibilities when it comes to combining a variety of flavors and colors to create healthy snacks and beverages. Keep an eye out in Salt Lake City for new snack and meal choices that are almost too colorful to eat.
Green: kale, spinach, peas, broccoli, and kiwi
Red: cranberries, strawberries, cherries, tomatoes, and pomegranates
Blue/Purple: beets, purple cauliflower, blueberries, eggplant, and plums
White: bananas, cauliflower, jicama, parsnips, and turnips
Orange/Yellow: lemons, carrots, peaches, mangoes, and sweet potatoes
Brown/Black: coffee, chocolate, mushrooms, or licorice
Figs and Pistachios—Two Rising Stars
Both figs and pistachios have been grown in different parts of the Mediterranean, Asia, and the Middle East for centuries. It looks like they will both now have a permanent place in Salt Lake City cuisine. Figs, a fruit grown on trees, can add a wide range of flavors from a hint of maple syrup to a nutty, coffee flavor to almost any dish. Pistachios, a member of the cashew family, also grow on trees and are a nutritionally dense food that pairs well with a wide variety of other ingredients because of its buttery and smooth flavor. If you see any one of the following snacks around Salt Lake City, give it a try.
Snacks with Figs: fig bars, dried figs, pastries filled with fig paste, and jam made from figs
Snacks with Pistachios: roasted or raw pistachios, pistachio ice cream, pistachio cookies, and trail mixes
Which trends would your Salt Lake City employee like to find in their office break room? If it is time to update your micro-market or vending machine options, PGi Services can help you customize the right combination of snacks, beverages, and meal choices. For more information about traditional or healthy choices, call us at 800.580.7266.