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immune boosting SALES
BOOST YOUR BOWLS Functional superfood bowls have grown in popularity over the last several years and not only do customers love the build-yourown-bowl concept, it’s an efficient and labor-saving way to use up ingredients you already have.
More than half of consumers want immune-boosting foods on menus according to a recent Dataessential report. Restaurants can inject a healthy dose into their business and draw in wellness-minded diners by tapping into the trend. The pandemic led many consumers to seek out healthier food choices. Beyond cutting desserts, booze, and opting for plant-based foods, many looked to immune-boosting food, drinks, and ingredients as an extra layer of protection for their immune systems. Consider these menu tips for immune-boosting food and drink ideas to ward off the competition and attract a bigger demographic.
BEVERAGES WITH BENEFITS Raw juices, plant-based drinks, and smoothies are a given, but diners are seeking much more than that. Diners are swapping sugary sodas for pop with natural sweeteners like cane sugar, stevia, coconut sugar, or agave, so consider offering a few healthy drink
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provisions March / April 2022
alternatives on your menu. Green tea should definitely be on breakfast, brunch, and after-dinner menus as it is full of antioxidants that can help fight off viral infections. Matcha, which is derived from the same plant as green tea, is another great option to make tea, or for use in smoothies and lattes. Florals like elderflower and hibiscus, herbs, and other botanical-infused drinks with chamomile, yerba mate powder, yuzu, bitter orange, and passionflower are all the rage right now and do very well in alcohol-free drinks. It’s a great way to get creative with your beverage program and increase bar sales. Aperitifs have also been on the rise lately since they are lower in sugar and alcohol and serve as a great before-dinner drink.
SPICE IT UP Margins are slim and chefs need to do more with less to make their ingredients go further. Adding certain spices to dishes that offer immune-boosting properties is an easy way to jump on the
trend without hurting your bottom line. Ginger is an excellent and versatile spice to use, as many consumers use it to help ward off colds and help fight sore throats. Add it to teas, soups, fish, or to punch up winter desserts. Cinnamon is another common pantry staple known for its digestive benefits and is a great antioxidant. Use it to add depth of flavor to pumpkin or butternut squash soups, add a little sweetness to baked apples, or to granola or oatmeal as a healthy breakfast-time snack. Miso is a rich source of probiotic bacteria, and is perfect as a classic soup, a glaze for veggies or fish, or mixed with rice vinegar and sesame oil for a light salad dressing. And turmeric is another spice sought out for its anti-inflammatory properties. Use it to make a healthy golden milk latte, spice up chickpeas for a salad, or add it to a smoothie or raw juice. Ginseng, garlic, sage, and cayenne pepper are all excellent options with immune-boosting benefits as well that should make their way into your recipes this season.
