Food and beverage trends are constantly evolving and growing. Recent consumer behavior indicates a significant shift in the way consumers eat and drink. Why? They're all moving away from fine dining and toward comfort and simplicity.
Then came the Food trend: nostalgiaThe song evokes a longing for a simpler time before the current global catastrophes, climate crisis, and geopolitical turmoil. The influx of refugees from Syria and Iraq has also been a factor. Comfort food is a trend.This comfort food will help you get through tough times. The rustic food movement has now merged, bringing with it the return of no-fuss food.
A Tip Top Foodservice spokesperson said rustic products were gaining popularity, including artisanal cheeses, small-batch spirits and authentic sourdough bread.
What's driving the popularity of rustic foods and what does it mean for the industry?
What makes rustic foods so popular?
The rustic food trend is gaining popularity, as are comfort foods and nostalgic foods. This includes soups, pasta bakes, and stews. Consumers seek stabilityIn these uncertain times that began with the pandemic,
Charles Redfern of Organico RealFoods told FoodNavigator that the pandemic had a significant impact on eating habits. It was a time when many families had little free time, so they turned to their old cookbooks to cook. These meals were more casual and relaxed.
This type of rustic food has survived social life and the return to work. Quick and easy to prepareWhen time is a precious commodity.
Redfern says that "cookbooks that promote one-pot meals and one-tray meals that are hearty and rustic are all the rage."
This also fuels the growth of the trend Health and well-beingbecause many consumers associate ready meals with ultra-processing, which has been negatively reported in recent months.
FoodNavigator reported that rustic styles and chunky textures are often used to communicate "minimally processed" foods. Products that can display intact ingredients such as whole grains, seeds, or other foods will be perceived as healthier.
The shift in gastronomy to a more rustic cuisine is also due to the fact that accessibilityThe cost of living crisis continues to be a factor that consumers must take into account.
Redfern of Organico RealFoods says a one-pot meal is a good investment. It allows for larger portions, allowing for leftovers that can be eaten for dinner or lunch the next day.
Redfern adds: "It's always a good idea to prepare a little extra food for a secondary meal."
This leads to a trend that is perhaps less well known. kitchen of chaosCombining foods from around the world is called chaos cooking. What's the main reason it's considered rustic cuisine? Anything goes. There are no real rules, and everyone can use whatever ingredients they have in their cupboards. Influencers are also fueling its popularity on social media, as they compete to create the most outrageous dishes using the strangest combinations. TikTok has received over 2 million posts #ChaosCooking.
Can the rustic food trend last?
While some food trends are here to stay, others will change.Gut health will not improve!Others are slowly disappearing (cake pops, cronuts).
Will the rustic trend continue or will it fade away like so many other food trends? It seems the rustic food trend isn't going away anytime soon. Why? It's because it's linked to multiple popular food trends that are popular with consumers. These combined trends also indicate a shift in consumer behavior, which is fueling these trends.
Redfern says that “rustic foods are on the rise, fueled by a growing appreciation for real ingredients and suppliers who produce small batches.”
Marks and Spencer and Carrefour have both launched products based on this style, including their rustic Italian Passata.
Brands can do more by helping consumers create rustic dishes.
Isabelle Shilling is a research analyst at Mintel. She told FoodNavigator that it would be helpful to emphasize on packaging and marketing that only a few ingredients are needed to make a complete meal. Placing meal components in stores, such as recipe bundles or kits, is another way to demonstrate how easy it is for home chefs to make a delicious dish using a few simple ingredients.
It is important to directly address consumer concerns about ultra-processed foods.
Shilling says it's possible that frozen foods without preservatives or less processed versions will gain popularity.
His message also highlights the need for food producers to move towards "clean label" foods, and the importance of identifying when a particular product has a clean label. This will appeal to consumers who choose more rustic foods for health reasons.
What does “clean label” mean?
While there is no official definition of a "clean" label, the idea is that a product should be made with as few ingredients as possible, and consumers should ensure it contains recognizable ingredients. Ideally, these ingredients will be the same as those the consumer would use when cooking at home.
English 
French