Trend report Top predictions for 2022

TREND REPORT Our top predictions for 2022

Comfort classics with novel treatments, communal dining, more plant-based alternatives, and all of the sweet treats are on the horizon this year

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Nostalgic desserts

After the emotional rollercoaster of the last two years, our appetites for the retro desserts of our childhood are on the increase. We’re talking jelly and custard, malva pudding, ice-cream sundaes with extra sprinkles … anything sweet and satisfying that harks back to simpler times and brings out your inner kid, basically.

Yum yums

After the release of its raspberry jam-filled yum yums in 2019, British retailer Waitrose saw a whopping 317% increase in sales in these treats the following year. Also in 2020, competing supermarket M&S launched its Yumnut – a yum yum-doughnut hybrid that left everyone confused, because weren’t these two confections essentially the same thing? Allow us to clarify. The yum yum is a stretched and twisted, butter-enriched doughnut finished off with a sticky glaze. It can be filled or left plain. And we’re waiting with bated breath for it to catch on locally.

Sunflower seeds

Just nwhe you thought the list of plant-protein alternatives v had been exhausted, along comes the humble sunflower s to remind everyone that it, too, would elik a shot at glory. When toasted and ground into er,butte sunflower seeds yield a silky mouthfeel and mild, d ild earthy flavour; when soaked in water and blended, they produce “milk” that’s suitable for those with nut allergies and is easier on the pocket than many vegan counterparts. Commercially, the seeds are being utilised in everything from snack bars and crackers, to creamy cheeses and ice creams.

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Umami

It’s not like umami ever went anywhere, but there seems to be an increased demand for the fifth taste’s satisfyingly moreish, deeply savoury flavour in our daily diets. Our current umami obsessions? That comforting old-school favourite, anchovy toast, courtesy of Woolies’ new anchovy spread (with a grating of Parmesan for good measure) and Marmite tossed through hot, buttered popcorn. You can thank us later.

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Whipped lemonade

Move over dalgona coffee. With over 5.7 million views on TikTok, whipped lemonade is one of the drinks set to rule summer in 2022. Made by blitzing lemon juice, whipped cream, condensed milk and ice cubes in a blender until frothy, it’s a creamy, yet refreshingly tart, lemon milkshake with social media cred. And we’re not angry about it at all.

Also Also moving up the charts…

Floral flavours Especially hibiscus, in everything from craft cocktails to barbeque marinades.

Apple cider vinegar Still gaining in popularity for its fruity, full-bodied flavour and guthealth-boosting properties.

Tempeh This fermented soya-based meat alternative has a crumbly texture and nutty, earthy taste, perfect for those who find tofu too smooth and bland.

Firepit cooking As if South Africans need a legitimate reason to braai, along comes a socially sanctioned trend. Braaied watermelon Everyone’s favourite summer fruit meets everyone’s favourite summer pastime.