The year 2020 could be easily termed the year of food. While the whole world came to standstill in the aftermath of the pandemic, food enthusiasts were busy perfecting their cooking skills.
As soon as the Korean trend of Dalgona coffee went viral, almost everyone on the internet had a new task at hand.
And as lockdown continued, almost everyone we know had already baked a cake or dabbled with cooking.
The pandemic prompted changes in nearly every aspect of our daily lives including our food habits. While online deliveries stopped and restaurants closed, the first half of 2020 transformed many of us into cooking experts, mainly as a survival mechanism.
Turning green
Many food trends that we have seen in 2020 will likely carry over, especially as the pandemic prevails and people continue to cook at home. One major change during the year was the rise in consuming more plant-based sources during the pandemic. People began opting for home-grown vegetables and leaves rather than depending on grocery shops every now and then.
Cooking culture
This lockdown has offered ample opportunity to home chefs as they have introduced the foodies to a whole new world of authentic home-style dishes. Many solopreneurs are doing it as a weekend gig while others are taking a more commercial approach towards it. The same goes for homemade bakers. Many women have turned their passion for cooking into an income-generating business.
The health factor
While many of us got stuck at our homes and the work-from-home culture continued, the concept of healthy eating from home gained popularity. Plant-based foods are expected to continue influencing the way we eat, especially as more people are choosing foods with wellness in mind.
As COVID-19 has made health a top priority for many people this year, the habit of making food choices through the lens of well-being will spread into the new year.
Welcoming 2021, many of the food trends predicted by chefs and other experts call for the changing way consumers eat both at and away from home.
As restrictions ease slowly, people are expected to gradually return to restaurants. But the pandemic has already sparked a cooking spree at our homes that will likely continue into the new year.
