Call it Fashion Week for Foodies: The Winter Fancy Food Show, an over-the-top marketplace showcasing over 80,000 specialty foods and beverages, was recently held in San Francisco. Missed it? Not a problem. Here are the six hottest food trends debuted at the show. Use this hip insider knowledge to cook up some sensational—and super trendy—dishes.
Trend: Exotic oils
Olive oil’s funky cousin, toasted pumpkin seed oil, is finally getting some well-deserved attention. The variety contains omega-3 fatty acids, which can slash heart disease risk, and can be drizzled on everything from vanilla ice cream to grilled fish.
Try this: Roasted Pumpkin and Pomegranate Salad with Pumpkin Seed Oil Vinaigrette
Trend: All things coconut
The coconut-craze is here to stay, and it’s flavoring everything from jams to ice creams. This tropical treat used to get a bad rap for being high cal, but it actually touts some serious health benefits. Coconut oil, an alternative to the hydrogenated variety, can actually raise good HDL cholesterol levels and is rich in antioxidants similar to those in berries and dark chocolate.
Try this: Pina Colada Popcorn
Trend: Beer-laced foods
Beer lovers rejoice! Not only can you drink your favorite brew but now you can eat it too—in everything from crackers to candy. Despite its bad rap for being less than healthy, beer is actually rich in a number of antioxidants and disease fighting-vitamins. Forget cooking with wine and liquor, stay hip by cranking up the flavor of your favorite dish with hops.
Try this: Mussels in Beer Broth
Trend: Botanical beverages
Herbal drinks are a winter staple, but if this year’s wild flavors—Broccoli Cilantro Tea and Licorice Mint Almond Water—intimidate your taste buds, try hibiscus. Not only is the herb hip and tasty, but it may also lower blood pressure, according to a The Journal of Nutrition study.
Try this: Hibiscus Margarita
Trend: Spicy sweets
Throw your taste buds for a loop with a surprising combination of sugar and heat. Chocolate and Chili is a classic pairing dating back to the Mayans, proving that every great trend makes a comeback. The best news of all is that Capsaicin, the spice responsible for giving chilies their fire, can help aid weight loss. So go ahead, take an extra bite of that chocolate!
Try this: Spicy Brownies
Trend: Go bananas
It’s official…trend spotters have declared the banana the “it” superfruit of the year. The food festival showcased sweet treats like Banana Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter & Banana Milk Chocolate Bars, and Banana Cinnamon Frozen Pops—yum! Need another excuse to chow down? Bananas can actually boost your happiness by releasing serotonin into your bloodstream, lifting your mood and calming your nervous system.
Try this: Grilled Banana Split
More from WH:
Cooking For Beginners
Must-Have Cooking Gear
Delicious Beer Recipes
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