As a new year begins, it’s always interesting to think about what’s next in the food world. Trends don’t appear out of nowhere—they reflect how people eat, shop, and connect with food in their daily lives.
After years of working closely with food brands and developing recipes, I’ve noticed a few shifts that will likely take centre stage in 2025. From bold flavours to a growing focus on sustainability, here are the six food trends to watch in the coming year.
1) The Rise of Tea: Beyond Matcha
Matcha has been a go-to for years, but in 2025, other teas will step into the spotlight.
Oolong, pu-erh, and rooibos are gaining popularity—not just as drinks but as key ingredients in creative recipes. Think smoky oolong broths, tea-infused desserts, and complex, full-bodied brews served in restaurants and cafes. More menus will highlight these teas, giving them the space they deserve alongside coffee and cocktails.
For tea lovers, this shift means more variety and more chances to explore new flavours.
2) Smarter Ways to Reduce Food Waste
Food waste has been a long-standing issue, but in 2025, more home cooks and businesses will take practical steps to cut down on unnecessary waste.
Expect to see:
- More recipes that highlight leftovers—like bread puddings, frittatas, and soups that make the most of what’s on hand.
- Smarter storage solutions to extend the life of ingredients.
- A push for products that help reduce waste, from upcycled snacks to meal kits designed with minimal packaging.
Reducing waste is becoming less about guilt and more about empowering people to get creative with what they have—which is a shift worth celebrating.
3) Spicy + Citrus
One of the most exciting flavour trends for 2025? The combination of heat and citrus.
Pairing tangy lime with smoky chilli, or bright yuzu with a punch of habanero, brings a bold and vibrant twist to dishes. This mix will show up in:
- Hot sauces and condiments
- Marinades and dressings
- Cocktails and even ice cream
It’s a fresh, lively way to add depth to food, and it’s bound to be everywhere soon.
4) Cooking Together at Home
Cooking at home isn’t slowing down, but there’s a shift happening: more people are seeing it as a shared experience rather than just a daily task.
In 2025, we’ll see more families, friends, and couples cooking together—not just for special occasions but as a way to spend time together. From making pasta from scratch to baking a weekend dessert, food is becoming a way to connect, learn, and enjoy the process as much as the final meal.
This trend also ties into the growing interest in cooking skills—people are looking to improve their techniques and gain confidence in the kitchen.
5) Sour Flavours Take the Spotlight
Sour will be the flavour of the year in 2025.
Beyond the usual pickles and citrus, expect to see:
- Tamarind and green mango in savoury dishes
- Sour cherries in sweet and savoury dishes
- Fermented fruits adding complexity to drinks and desserts
- More sourdough-based sweets and baked goods
- Tangy dressings and sauces bringing brightness to meals
Sour flavours add depth and balance to dishes, making them exciting for both home cooks and chefs experimenting with bold new recipes.
6) Bread is Here to Stay
Sourdough, focaccia, and homemade pizza had a resurgence—and that’s not changing anytime soon.
Bread baking is still going strong, with more people experimenting with:
Heritage grains for deeper flavour and nutrition
Flavoured focaccia with toppings like roasted garlic, herbs, and even fruit
Stuffed sourdough loaves
Creative pizza recipes that push boundaries
The process of making bread is deeply satisfying, and 2025 will bring even more innovation to this classic staple.
What Should We Leave Behind?
One trend that should fade away in 2025? Clickbait food content that leads to unnecessary waste.
Over-the-top, impractical recipes created for views (rather than for actual enjoyment) often result in wasted ingredients. Instead, it would be great to see more content that inspires creativity while being useful and accessible.
Final Thoughts
Food trends come and go, but the ones shaping 2025 are about flavour, connection, and sustainability. Whether it’s the rise of tea, smarter ways to reduce waste, or the continued love for homemade bread, these trends reflect how people are choosing to eat and cook.
For food brands, restaurants, and content creators, the key is knowing how to tap into these shifts in a way that makes sense for their audience.
If you want to bring fresh, strategic content to your brand in 2025 — through photography, recipes, or social media strategy — I’d love to help.
Want to chat about what that could look like for your brand? Get in touch and let’s make your content work for the year ahead.
A MATTER OF NOURISHMENT 