2025 Food Trends

You may have uttered or heard someone say, “and life changed on a dime.” A phase not usually associated with good news.

For me, life recently changed on a dime when I experienced a major medical incident and am navigating the road to recovery – filled with laughter and tears – luckily more laughter than tears.

Hopefully, in March the chefs and I will be welcoming you back into the kitchen.

With the start a new year, there are lots of lists and predictions about what the new year will bring. Even though it’s February, here are some thoughts about 2025’s food-related trends.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet: Foods that reduce inflammation include berries like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties; fatty fish: Salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, and anchovies are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation; broccoli: The cruciferous vegetable is packed with nutrients and has been shown to reduce inflammation; avocados: High in healthy fats and fiber and can help reduce inflammation.

Tea: Beyond just keeping you cozy, tea is being recognized for its immune-boosting and hydrating benefits. Think about trying teas offering health benefits like stress relief, immunity support, and improved digestion. Expect to see a rise in unique tea flavors, including metabolism-friendly options like cinnamon.

Tropical Fruits: In addition to guava, mango, passion fruit, dragon fruit, look for durian, often called the “king of fruits,” with a strong aroma and a custardy texture; rambutan, similar to lychee, rambutan has sweet and juicy flesh; and mangosteen, prized for its sweet, tangy white flesh and often used in desserts and beverages.

Dates as Sweeteners: Consider dates as a 1:1 healthier alternative to refined sugar; they’re packed with essential nutrients like fiber, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins, are lower on the glycemic index compared to refined sugar, making them a better option for maintaining stable blood sugar levels.

Baking from Scratch: There’s a renewed interest in baking from scratch. Are we looking for a touch of nostalgia? Maybe, but I say yeah! You control the ingredients, no preservatives, and tons of ways to experiment with flavors.

Wishing you joy in the kitchen,
Michele

Date-Sweetened Banana Bread
1 cup pitted dates
½ cup hot water
3 ripe bananas, mashed
⅓ cup coconut oil, melted
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup walnuts or pecans, toasted and chopped, optional

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch x 5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
2. Soak dates in hot water about 10 minutes until soft. Drain and blend with a little warm water to create a smooth paste.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine bananas, date paste, coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix well until ingredients are fully incorporated.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
6. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Fold in nuts if using.
7. Pour batter into pan and smooth top with a spatula.
8. Bake 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Cool in pan about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.