Culinology - December 2021 - 11

©2021 Whole Foods Market IP, L.P.
©ThamKC - stock.adobe.com
Whole Foods Market
makes its 2022 predictions
Whole Foods Market, a business unit of Amazon.com,
Inc., has issued its 10 trends for 2022 and sees plantbased
foods, sustainability and functional ingredients
thriving in the coming year. The trends were developed
by the retailer's " Trends Council, " a group of more than
50 buyers and other trend watchers, and represent their
insights into emerging consumer preferences.
" Last year, we saw tremendous pandemic-related
shifts in grocery buying habits as the world adjusted to
spending more time at home, " said Sonya Gafsi Oblisk,
chief marketing officer at Whole Foods Market. " As the
food industry slowly adjusts to a new normal, we expect
to see consumers prioritize food and drink products that
deliver additional benefits - like functional sodas and
tonics - and products that support their sense of wellbeing,
like urban garden greens and products grown with
farming processes that help address soil health. "
Whole Foods' No. 1 trend prediction for 2022 is that
indoor farming, what the retailer calls " ultraurban farming, "
will take off, with products produced using such indoor
farming techniques as hydroponics and aquaponics
trending. Current products on the market seen fitting
this trend include Gotham Greens butterhead lettuce,
AeroFarms micro-broccoli and Upward Farms organic
microgreen mixes.
Yuzu flavor also may get its opportunity to shine in
the coming year and ranks No. 2 on Whole Foods'
list, according to the Trends
Council. The citrus fruit mainly
is produced in China, Japan
and South Korea and has a
tart and sour taste. It is being
formulated into a range of retail products, including hard
seltzers, mayonnaises and vinaigrettes. Foodservice
operators are adding yuzu flavor to soups, vegetables,
noodles and fish.
Whole Foods Market predicts more consumers will try
" reducetarianism " in 2022, which involves eating fewer
animal-based products.
Another flavor seen trending is hibiscus. The sweet, tart
flavor is showing up in teas, fruit spreads and yogurts,
and consumers may continue to gravitate to the ingredient
for its flavor, vitamin C content and its pink color.
Whole Foods Market sees many consumers, notably
millennials and Gen-Z, reducing alcohol consumption in
the coming year. As a result, the retailer predicts alcoholfree
beverages will trend as people try gin, rum, tequila
and whiskey alternatives.
Ingredients and flavors seen rounding out Whole
Foods' top 10 trends include grains that promote soil
health like Kernza, sunflower seeds, moringa, functional
carbonated beverages and turmeric. Each of the last five
trends has a health component, whether it is focused on
consumer interest in personal well-being or the health of
the environment.
The 10 trends Whole Foods Market predicted would
take off in 2021 included greater consumer interest in
health and wellness, premium breakfast options, centerstore
diversification as pantry staple makers innovated,
coffee flavor, more baby food
varieties, upcycling, cooking
oil innovation, kombuchas
with alcohol, chickpea and
meatless snacks.
DECEMBER 2021 | Culinology | 11
Culinology - December 2021

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