Edamame is thriving in the culinary world beyond Japanese markets
Trend- As a source of soy protein, fiber, and vitamin K, consumers have begun to crave edamame as a typical staple in their health-focused diets. Brands taking note have begun creating new, healthified products that either incorporate edamame or isolate it a new way; from edamame-topped pizzas to crunchy, puffed edamame snacks.
Insight - With the rise of health-conscious consumers in the culinary space, there has been an increase in the expectation that traditional products can now be adapted to healthier options. These consumers value traditional ingredients and flavors but at the same time want to maintain their health goals and can do so with the help of brands.
Insight - With the rise of health-conscious consumers in the culinary space, there has been an increase in the expectation that traditional products can now be adapted to healthier options. These consumers value traditional ingredients and flavors but at the same time want to maintain their health goals and can do so with the help of brands.
Workshop Question - How can you incorporate a traditional ingredient or tool, in order to elevate a new product or service?
Trend Themes
1. Healthified Products - Brands are creating new, healthified products that either incorporate or isolate traditional staple ingredients for health-conscious consumers.
2. Inventive Trail Mixes - Innovative brands are introducing new trail mix snacks that reinvent the flavor profile with edamame beans as a base.
3. Hybrid Dishes - Restaurants are experimenting with unique and creative combinations of dishes to attract adventurous diners, resulting in innovations like sushi pizza and other sushi hybrids.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - The food and beverage industry can adapt to the rise of health-conscious consumers and reinvent traditional staples into healthier options by using inventive ingredients familiarized on the plate through globally inspired cuisines.
2. Snack Foods - In the snack food industry, there is a trend towards protein-rich and fiber-rich ingredients like edamame, which can disrupt traditional snack options like potato chips by offering lower-fat and healthier snack options.
3. Restaurant - Restaurants with a creative and adventurous approach towards menu selection can innovatively combine unique dishes at the intersection of various cuisines, resulting in fusion dishes that cater to the evolving palate of consumers.
