Trends come and go, but this lot is here to stay! With the new year in full swing, we can’t wait to explore new industry trends and experience the familiar in a fresh way. From duckweed to fonio beer, here are the most predicted food and drink trends for 2025.

Tinned Fish

Butter boards retired so that ‘seacuterie’ could thrive. Tuna has always been popular, but based on global consumer trends, it’s predicted that other tinned varieties will become more sought-after in 2025 – think mackerel, smoked mussels and tinned octopus (if you really want to splurge). Mackerel is especially great for elevated appetisers, while smoked mussels are ideal in canapés and pasta dishes and on crackers. This food trend is not only delicious but convenient if you want to incorporate more fish into your diet in a cost-effective way.

Make the most of tinned tuna with these tasty recipes. 

Hydration Solutions

Stanley changed the hydration game for everyone! These high-quality mugs are more than a trendy appliance, they’ve filtered into the way people think about hydration solutions. Consumer trends show that customers want different drinks; the pattern has been consistent with the culture of drinking sparkling water, kombucha and alternative drinks.

As consumers look for ways to be active, they are also seeking drinks that contain more electrolytes and have seemingly healthier properties. Coconut water and, believe it or not, protein-infused water are popular examples. Energy drink brands are also catering to the demand with creative drink infusions and products containing tropical flavours.

Pictured left: Protein2o Protein Infused Water Plus Electrolytes, Tropical Coconut. Image source: Dr. Nutrition. | Pictured right: Gloot Protein Water Tropical Crush. Image source: Clicks.

Brew the best booch with this rooibos kombucha recipe.

Protein Gains

If drinking protein is not your ‘thing’, perhaps eating it is. Last year, plant-based living was a major focus for conscious consumers, and while people are still promoting sustainable eating and incorporating more vegetables and fruits in their diets, they are expanding their fresh produce range and consuming more meat – former vegan and carnivore dieters included. Animal-based protein like ground beef and organ meat (liver, kidney, heart, etc.) are being considered more. Here’s to free-range and grass-fed gains!

Bulk up with our best beef recipes. 

The Crunch Factor

Crunchy chickpeas, crispy rice, tanghulu (candied fruit snack), dehydrated fruits – this year, foodies were all about the crunch factor.

Pictured: tanghulu, a candied fruit snack popular in China.

Whole Foods predicted this will be another major food trend in 2025, as people incorporate more crispy elements into popular dishes.

Crunchy foods are mostly associated with hydrolysed, hyper-processed snacks, but with advanced kitchen appliances like multifunctional air fryers, which have ‘dehydrating’ settings and more, home cooks are able to add crunchy elements to home-cooked meals and elevate flavours in exciting ways. We fully endorse this food trend!

Global Flavours

With the rise of content creation and food and drink trends flooding social media feeds, people have been more exposed to unique global flavours. Korean cuisine became a major focus thanks to the influence of pop culture – condiments like kimchi and gochujang, and foods like tteokbokki (steamed rice cakes) and bingsu took off last year.

Flavours like Italian nduja, Mexican chamoy and more were also major hits; trend projections predict that consumers will continue to explore unique flavours, as food manufacturers meet the demand. South African retailer Woolworths already has its finger on the pulse with ready-to-eat dishes and products inspired by global and local flavours.

Sustainable Drinks & Packaging

Food brands, wine estates and beer breweries are pushing for sustainable change as they promote natural wines and environmentally friendly packaging. Food manufacturers who haven’t already eradicated plastic packaging altogether are choosing compostable packaging. Traditional wine makers are moving towards using lighter bottle formats, due to the environmental impact of heavy wine bottles. Leading manufacturer Frugalpac recently discussed plans to bring paper bottles to South Africa to make this trend a reality.

Pictured left: Journey’s End Interpunkt Shiraz. Image source: Checkers. | Pictured right: Frugal Bottle. Image source: Frugalpac.

Fonio Beer

African indigenous grains have become more popular among people and food manufacturers, as we continue to learn more about their health benefits and positive agricultural impacts. The beer industry is reconsidering traditional brewing methods and grains used, as they turn to more drought-resistant crops.

Fonio, a super-grain indigenous to West Africa, has become sought-after for its drought-resistant properties, making it favourable in beer making. Beer brand Brewgooder partnered with Brooklyn Brewery to produce “the world’s first Fairtrade-certified brewing supply chain for climate-resilient fonio grain,” creating Brewgooder Fonio. The crisp and hoppy Session IPA has been praised for its innovation in brewing and agriculture.

Pictured: Brewgooder Fonio Session IPA, a collaboration with Brooklyn Brewery. Image source: Brewgooder.

Baking’s Back, Alright!

We will always have banana bread to thank for making lockdown more bearable. If you’re still nursing sourdough starters, you can rejoice because baking is back by popular demand. Buyer trends show that consumers are purchasing more ready-mix products on shelves – think cake, bread, brownies; the works! (Shout out to Nara Smith and the cottage core babes who show us that baking and homemade goods will never go out of style.)

Try these bread recipes or sweet tarts and pies.
Make vegan-friendly bakes with these simple substitutions. 

Duckweed & other aquatic ingredients

As the health and wellness industry grows, consumers and fitness enthusiasts seek more organic ingredients and natural remedies to treat ailments and manage everyday health – enter aquatic ingredients.

Along with sea moss, seaweed and duckweed (also known as water lentils), chlorophyll and agar-agar have been supported by the wellness community, due to their various health properties. Celebrity and co-founder Michael B. Jordan is ahead of the curve, thanks to the invention of MOSS, a popular sea moss drink.

Want more? Read all about the benefits of sea moss.