As one year ends, the predictions flood in about 2025 food trends. Over the past several years, consumers have focused on healthy eating, globally inspired flavors, and even non-alcoholic beverages. Instacart predicts that people will be “kneading” this 2025 food trend and it sounds like they are going back to the pandemic era.
When everyone was stuck at home during 2020, the desire to make sourdough bread and bake recipes from scratch was booming. It could have been the extra time, the closeness to the kitchen, or just wanting to do something other than binge watch another Netflix series.
No matter the reason, baking saw a spike in popularity. Even the person who never heard of a starter was carefully nurturing that essential ingredient.
According to Instacart’s Flavorful Food Forecast, baking from scratch will see another uptick in 2025. While the exact reasoning behind this new found craving for fresh baked goods is unclear, purchasing data does not lie. Consumers are adding those ingredients to their carts. Specifically, Instacart said, there has been “49% increase in the share of bread flour orders, alongside a 17% uptick in wheat berry purchases.”
The reasoning behind this popularity can come from a variety of sources. Instacart asserts that it is a reflection of the homestead trend on social media. That desire to be self-sufficient in making and producing food has merit.
While that might be a trending hashtag, the concept can be more broad based. Over the past several years, consumers have wanted more transparency within the food world. It is more than just buying local or supporting the weekly farmer’s market.
Large food companies are being more upfront with the ingredients used in their products. Consumers want to know the hows, wheres, and whys that go into the creation of the food on their table. If they cannot get that information from a brand, it appears that they are choosing to source and make the dish themselves.
While the baking trend might be front and center, it can extend beyond that one category. Whether it is the windowsill herb garden or getting to know a local butcher, there is more thought into the food that people eat. It can be a nod to healthy eating, being more aware of food, or just appreciating the difference in flavor. No matter what the reasoning, people are thinking before putting that item in their basket or on their table.
Will everyone be baking more for the new year? Everyone will have to look back at the end of the year and see if this 2025 food trend took over the table.