It’s a new year, and that means a whole new batch of food and drink crazes to get excited about. Plus, January is always the most miserable month of the year – the perfect time to hibernate and binge the latest NETFLIX offerings. I have assembled the 6 best shows you NEED to SEE.
Kicking off with food trends…
Umami paste
Pronounced “oo-maa-mee”, the ingredient is known as the fifth taste, after sweet, bitter, salty and sour, adding extra depth to broths, soups, stir-fries and any other everyday meal – plus it’s vegan.
Waitrose predicts umami to be one of the biggest food trends in 2022, reporting a 17 per cent increase in sales of their signature umami paste in comparison to 2019.
Adding a dash of umami is a simple way to add depth to a variety of dishes.One of the silver linings of the pandemic is that more people have started to cook from scratch at home, and the increased popularity of umami points to this. For years, it has been a well-kept secret in the restaurant trade.
Caribbean food
Caribbean and island food is set to be a big trend for 2022.
A recent popularity survey revealed that Caribbean food now ranks fifth behind the big four super-popular world foods (Chinese, Indian, Mexican and Thai food) in terms of how many UK people have tried it (nearly a third of respondents).
The company GRACE, for example, is Jamaica’s oldest food brand – celebrating its 100th birthday in 2022 – and is the world’s largest supplier of traditional Caribbean food and drink products.
Caribbean culture in general is having a moment right now, which is set to continue with Jamaica celebrating 60 years of independence this year – likely to be particularly well celebrated in the UK, US and Canada.
Gin-infused food
Yum, this sounds like my kind of foodie movement. It’s gin, but in your supper.
Hijingo, the multi-sensory bingo experience in London, have just added gin-infused food to their menu. Think Drunken Mushrooms, GinCured Duck Breast, Crab croquettes with a G&T blood orange gel.
CBD wine
Yep, it’s a thing! According to Ocado’s Trends of the Year report, wine infused with CBD is set to be one of 2022’s biggest food trends.
Researchers have predicted that the market for CBD could almost double over the next two years, as benefits for CBD infused foods and drinks ride the wave of popularity.
COVID-19 influenced the CBD uses that are currently trending – like stress relief and immunity-boosting.
Oat milk chocolate
As more and more shoppers search for plant-based products, this chocolate alternative has arrived on the scene.
We’re already seeing a rise in demand for oat milk chocolate, which combines an oat milk base with single-origin cocoa.
Look out for HiP vegan-friendly oat milk chocolate, Salted Caramel & Cookies No Cream and Salty Pretzel flavours which have been a real hit with shoppers and I expect this will be a growing trend moving into 2022.
Salad dressings are back
Classic salad dressings are officially fancy again!
Executive Chefs of acclaimed bars and restaurants say we should all be looking out for Caesar variations, green goddess, ranch, and more old favourites in 2022.
Bye-bye virgin olive oil, hello yummy old-school dressings
Chewable toothpaste
Great for cleaning teeth during the day when out and about, chewable toothpaste is the next big thing.
It has been hovering around over the last couple of years, Chewable Toothpaste is on the rise and we’ll see the first few options stocked on Ocado.com in 2022.
Allowing consumers to ‘ditch the tube’ and take care of the environment while providing the correct amount of toothpaste for every occasion, chewable toothpaste tablets are seen as a more convenient option than toothpaste, especially on-the-go.
The ‘Reduce’ trend
If you’re thinking of going plant-based but aren’t quite ready to give up meat, this is the food trend for you. In Whole Foods Market’s latest Trends report, ‘reducetarianism’ was dubbed a top trend to watch for 2022.
Between 2020 and 2021 sales of vegetarian food products increased by 156 per cent and vegan product sales jumped 150 per cent.
However, while plant-based meat alternatives are a growing market, there is a big demand for the highest quality meat, dairy and eggs because consumers are more aware of animal wellness and environmental concerns, so they’re focusing on quality over quantity.
Onto what to watch…
Some of the best Netflix shows are coming back with new seasons this year. Likewise, Netflix will also debut many interesting-looking new original series early in 2022.
Ozark season 4, part 1
As if anyone will pass up the opportunity to binge-watch the first seven episodes of Ozark season 4. If you’re not caught up on the Emmy-winning drama series, it’s time to get on board in time for the final season. Don’t skip what will be one of the biggest Netflix shows of the year when part 1 stars streaming on Jan 21.
The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window
Even though the title of Netflix’s new Kristen Bell series might be a little tedious, it’s all in good fun. Don’t let it steer you away from the eight-episode gripping dark comedy on Jan. 28. Bell stars in The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window as an avid wine drinker who believes she’s witnessed a murder.
After Life season 3
The final season of the Ricky Gervais’ dark comedy series After Life helps kick off January 2022 with some deep emotions. After Life season 3 leads a new ‘overall deal’ with Ricky Gervais and Netflix, which will see the actor and comedian developing various shows and specials. I binged Afterlife over the weekend and recommend plenty of Kleenex.
In from the Cold
This centres on a former Russian spy who gets exposed while also attempting to excel at being a single mother and taking on a major enemy. The thriller could be one of the next best new Netflix shows when it drops on Jan. 28.
All of Us are Dead
The end of the month is jam-packed with new Netflix shows, including this Korean drama series on Jan. 28. The teen drama series finds a group of high school students fighting their way through a zombie outbreak in their school. Korean dramas are so fashionable right now.
True Story
Stand-up comedian turned actor Kevin Hart shows his more dramatic side in this recently released mini-series, where he plays Philadelphia-born movie star Kid, a character not dissimilar from his real-world persona. At the start of the story, he’s on top of the world, performing a sell-out tour and celebrating the success of a billion-dollar blockbuster. However, things take a dark turn after a night out with his brother Carlton (Wesley Snipes), as a woman he goes home with dies in his hotel room from an overdose – a fact that both of them are keen to cover-up.
