Tastemakers: Where to Sample 2018’s Top Food Trends

Robynne Tindall, Contributing Editor | Feb 16, 2018 1:00 pm | Add a comment | 3332 reads

Early in November 2017, American retailer Whole Foods released a forecast of the food trends they predict will be keeping our palates busy in 2018 compiled by their team of global buyers and experts. Since we’re not lucky enough to have Whole Foods in Beijing, we thought we’d help you stay ahead of the curve by telling you where you can already enjoy some of the trends they’ve identified.

Middle Eastern cuisine

Calling the diverse cuisine of an entire region a trend seems a tad reductive but there is no doubt that the flavors of this part of the world are having a moment in restaurants. According to Whole Foods, “trending Middle Eastern ingredients include pomegranate, eggplant, cucumber, parsley, mint, tahini, tomato jam, and dried fruits.” The clever folks at Hatchery (pictured above) have gotten ahead of this trend with their new Tel Aviv concept, the menu for which features dishes such as eggplant grilled with pomegranate, mint, and ras el hanout and bulgar baharat falafel salad, inspired by Hatchery general manager Ben Mankarious’ trip to the Israeli capital earlier last year. You can also stop by one of Beijing’s many other tried and tested Middle Eastern restaurants, such as Sanlitun favorite Biteapitta, which was recently inducted into the Beijinger’s Dining Hall of Fame.

Try it now: Tel Aviv by Hatchery, Biteapitta, Al Safir

Superfood supplement powders

Up your breakfast game in 2018 by stirring a “superfood powder” into your smoothie or porridge. You’ve no doubt heard of antioxidant-rich matcha green tea powder and you probably have some au courant turmeric floating around your kitchen cupboard. But the trend for health-augmenting powders goes way beyond that, including a wide variety of so-called superfoods such as maca (made from a root grown in the Peruvian Andes that is thought to help manage stress) and spirulina (a type of freshwater algae – yum). Online lifestyle platform Tru Living sells a variety of superfood powders, including the aforementioned spirulina and maca (from RMB 220 for 500g). Or try the Essential Greens powder from popular brand MyMaha, which features 11 different superfoods, including wheatgrass, spinach, raspberries, spirulina, and moringa leaves. Guangzhou-based Go Vegan sells things like activated charcoal, açai powder, and kale powder. Both also sell vegan protein powder.

Try it now: Tru Living, Go Vegan, Tribe Organic

“Functional” mushrooms

Certain types of mushrooms have long been used in Chinese medicine to support the immune system and help flush toxins from the body, and it seems like the rest of the world is catching on. Whole Foods points to cordyceps and reishi (known in Chinese as lingzhi), both of which are thought to have anti-oxidant, longevity-boosting properties and have been popular in China for years. If you’re feeling brave, you can pick them up from any TCM pharmacy or Tru Living also sells cordyceps powder (RMB 390), which can be added to soups or hot drinks.

Try it now: Tongrentang pharmacy (branches across Beijing), Tru Living

New advances in vegan food

Whole Foods says that 2018 will be the year when brands take vegan products to the next level, crafting milks, yogurts, and even simulated meat products from different combinations of nuts and vegetables. There are already some great vegan products on the market in Beijing, such as Yeyo’s coconut yogurt. Restaurants like Root Pop in Shuangjing, meanwhile, are making tasty, creative vegan versions of things like burgers and hot dogs – so much so that you won’t even miss the meat. Vegan staples are also often easy to make yourself. Take nut milk, for example: Simply soak the nuts of your choice (I like a mix of almonds, Brazil nuts, and cashews) in water overnight, drain and rinse, then blend with double the volume of water and strain the mixture through a fine cloth. You can then sweeten the taste with honey or maple syrup, or leave plain for cooking and baking. Taobao store Enjoy Nature is a reliable source of good value nuts.

Try it now: Root Pop, Yeyo

Tacos

We’ve been saying it all year: Mexican food in Beijing has never been better. According to the Whole Foods forecast, tacos in all their myriad forms are having a moment, so there’s really no excuse not to gorge yourself on the tempting offerings from restaurants like Q Mex Taqueria (get the jalapeño butter shrimp tacos), Pebbles Courtyard, and, of course, Taco Bar. Whole Foods’ report also says that tacos are moving away from what might be considered “traditional” components (e.g. corn or wheat tortillas) to include any and all wrappers and fillings, such as sheets of nori used as wrappers. To get in on this trend, order the hand rolls at Hana, rolled table-side with your choice of ingredients.

Try it now: Q Mex Taqueria, Taco Bar, Palms LA Kitchen and Bar