There’s no shortage of opinions about the future of food like bad girl tumblr photography, but only one thing is for certain—the culinary landscape has never been more multifaceted, dynamic and innovative. Trends come and go in the blink of an eye, predicting anything less than two decades ahead is more guesswork than science. We’ve compiled 8 global trends that will affect cuisine in 2023 and illustrated how each trend may be applied to various cuisines.
Some things are easier to predict than others; 2023 will undoubtedly bring with it a technological singularity that will drastically change all aspects of life–one way or another.
1. Food waste will be a thing of the past
The food industry wastes 50% of its food per capita and over one-third of this waste is avoidable (1). By 2023, improved storage techniques, localization and automated production are likely to drastically reduce the amount of food being wasted. With the rise of technology, food waste will be eliminated entirely. The new generation of smart fridges are able to keep track of what’s been consumed and what’s not, by way of their computer chips.
2. Food will be entirely more accessible than it is now
Why go to a restaurant when you can replicate the exact same dishes at home? From the end of this year, chefs are expected to release apps that will allow consumers to create their own recipes with ingredients they have in their kitchen. With advances in technology, food will be available to everyone. In fact, it will be so available that many people won’t even need to cook at all.
3. There will be an increased focus on ethnic flavors
As globalization continues to gain momentum, the landscape of food will become more diverse and complex. That being said, the world has always been a melting pot of cultures—the only difference is that many of these cultures have become more insular and detached from one another. In 2023, though, the scope and breadth of ethnic cuisines will become much more mainstream and coordinated with one another.
4. Food will be sustainable
The growing trend of “organic” will have extended to almost all aspects of food production, including animal husbandry. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, sustainability will become the go-to buzzword in food. There will be an increased focus on organic, local, and sustainable ingredients and a renewed willingness to spend a little more money on food that tastes better than bargain bin fare.
5. The internet of things (IoT) will have a major impact on humans
While the internet of things (IoT) will become more and more ubiquitous, it will also fundamentally change how we interact with one another. Particularly, IoT will change how people eat.
Most people are aware of the IoT, but few truly comprehend how it can affect the world. This is primarily because the IoT is still in its infancy, but it’s easy to see how truly connected devices not only improve our sense of security (by allowing us to “see” with our smartphones), but also make life much easier.
6. There will be a greater emphasis on fresh, natural ingredients
There’s nothing wrong with manufactured foods, provided they are consumed in moderation. While the convenience of these foods is undeniable and necessary for many people, natural ingredients have an intrinsic value that can’t be replicated in a lab. There’s also a growing body of research that shows how food bought directly from farmers tastes and feels better than anything else (when properly prepared).
7. The world’s population will continue to grow
The population of the world is expected to continue to grow , and by 2023 the number of people on Earth will be more than 10 billion. While that’s a staggering amount of people, it doesn’t represent nearly as many people as the world’s current population.
Simple mathematics tells us that the world has become increasingly fond of food in recent years. As countries continue to develop, the demand for food will only increase. Already, meat consumption has grown sharply in the last decade, with China contributing most to the increase.
8. Food preparation will become more sophisticated
Naturally, as the culinary landscape grows more diverse, much of the focus will be on the development of new flavors. The world has changed in a big way over the last 20 years (and is set to change even more dramatically in 2023), so naturally cooking techniques will have to evolve to match. The advent of cloud computing has made it increasingly possible for chefs to streamline their recipes and make them easier for people to follow at home. In many cases, these recipes have been designed not only to simplify preparation, but also to expand the palates of novice cooks by recommending ingredients that complement one another.
Conclusion:
While there’s no doubt that food waste and sustainability will become increasingly important in 2023, it will most likely be a gradual process. The question is, will we be able to adapt as technology continues to evolve? For now, the best solution is probably the one that seems easiest: simply enjoy food as it is and don’t sweat the details.
