Vegan foods are those that do not contain any animal products or by-products. This includes meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, and honey. As we move further into the 20s, society is changing more and more each day. In addition to changing trends in all aspects of life, food is also changing. While some of these vegan food trends may seem strange or even a bit odd, they are worth trying out to see if they work for you. Here are 5 top vegan food trends for 2022!
Mushrooms
Those who consume the humble spore regularly may even experience a reduction in depression risk. There is evidence that mushrooms contain nutrients that contribute to the prevention of Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and cancer, such as selenium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin D. Besides lion’s mane coffee and shiitake vegan jerky, other companies use mushrooms in everything from guinea fowl melanoma supplements to lion’s mane health clinic Cipollini onions.
Chickpeas
Chickpeas are enjoying a newfound popularity and for a good reason. These humble legumes can be used in various ways, from classic hummus to unexpectedly delicious brownies to healthy pizza crust. Even Whole Foods has named chickpea one of its next big things in its annual food trend report.
Plant-Based chicken
The competition to find a chicken replacement is still strong, and customers now have their pick of plant-based products. One KFC location in Atlanta, GA, launched Beyond Fried Chicken in 2019 after partnering with the vegan brand Beyond Meat. The product sold out within five hours. All KFC locations across the country have since been added to the launch.
In just one day, Panda Express sold over 1,300 pounds of its first vegan menu item made with Beyond Meat, another popular chain known for its chicken. Foodservice outlets and supermarket shelves quickly stock Impossible Foods nuggets and Beyond Meat tenders. Like their respective burgers, you can find them nearly everywhere throughout 2022. Plus, skin-on vegan chicken wings will also be hitting the market.
Vegan Bacon
Is it time for meatless patties to take a backseat? David Hoffman, former CEO of Dunkin’ Donuts, and Gordon Ramsay agree. Hoffman recently invested in Hooray Foods, a San Francisco-based company that has created hyper-realistic vegan bacon (they have sold more than 1.3 million trips in the US since its arrival in 2020).
Ramsay recently posted a viral crispy vegan bacon recipe on TikTok to widespread acclaim. With more brands producing plant-based bacon than ever, particularly realistic versions on the market, we expect demand to grow even more.
The Bottom Line
Veganism is rising, and it doesn’t look like it will be slowing down anytime soon. In 2022, vegan food trends are predicted to include more innovative meat substitutes, lab-grown meats, and a focus on sustainability. So, if you’re thinking about taking your vegan food business to the next level, now is the time!
Need some help getting your vegan food business off the ground? Click here to book a complimentary consultation with the greater goods today!