What we eat and drink is among life’s most decadent pleasures. Sometimes a dish must be more than simply delicious; it should also be en vogue. Trending ingredients form a multibillion-dollar industry affecting producers, retailers, and restaurateurs. With everyone coveting a piece of this lusciously lucrative pie, the key is staying ahead of the curve if you desire a slice of the culinary world’s latest and greatest.

Garlic aioli? Sooo last millennium. Gochujang and hot chili crisp? Yawn. That TikTok craze over butter boards is even melting away. As we look ahead to 2023, there’s a brand-new array of what will be hot in pantries and at restaurants around the world. When heading to the market or making that dining reservation, be on the lookout for these 10 emerging trends.

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1. Upcycled Pulp

Poor cows! Milk has become eschewed in so many fridges and latte cups. Demand for nondairy alternatives, such as oat, almond, and soy, is skyrocketing, just as it is for the pulp waste left behind after their precious juices have been extracted. There’s a growing movement to turn this by-product into high-fiber flours that can be used in everything from pizza crusts to cookies. It’s good for you — and the planet.

2. Kelp Wanted

Speaking of environmentally conscious foods, kelp is having its moment in the sun. The amazing algae slurps up carbon in the atmosphere and grows easily without need for freshwater. This seaweed breathes the essence of the ocean and can really amp up the umami of soup stocks. Plus, it’s totally nutritious. Try it in salads, chips, and plant-based burgers.

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3. No Booze Bonanza

Whether you call them chauffeur’s cocktails or temperance drinks, there’s no stopping the ascent of nonalcoholic beverages. Gone are the days of basic Shirley Temples and bland Arnold Palmers. Mixologists around the world are creatively shaking and stirring zero-proof spirits with unique herbs, spices, and fruits to create buzz-worthy mocktails that stand up against their boozy counterparts.

4. Michelagua Mania

If you’re seeking the mocktail of 2023, it’ll be the michelagua. The minor-friendly version of the Mexican beer cocktail michelada replaces lager with agua fresca. Typical flavors include mango; pineapple and spinach; and cucumber lime. It’ll be that perfect refresher for all your afternoon get-togethers in 2023.

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5. Ultra Exotic Fruits

The floodgates were flung open once jackfruit became the go-to vegan meat replacer. The fruit aisles at grocers are becoming more colorful and fragrant with newcomers, especially from the tropics. What’s not to be excited about the creamy textures of cherimoya, the vivid purple juices of pitaya, and the infamous pungency of the thorny durian? Just think of the oohs and ahs when you show up at your next dinner party with a rambutan galette and longan mousse.

6. Yuzu’s Bestie

The undisputed darling of Asian-influenced desserts, yuzu is intoxicatingly floral but evanescent, dancing on the palette ever so briefly before fading away. Pâtissiers seem to have found a better way of capturing its essence by tying the delicate Japanese citrus with lychee. The sweet, lemony burst of yuzu coupled with the rosy undertones of lychee make them a perfect pairing in fine ice creams, chocolates, cakes, and pastries.

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7. Hot for Hojicha

Another import from Japan taking the global stage in 2023 is hojicha. Think of it as the mature cousin of matcha. Also a green tea, hojicha is roasted, resulting in a brown hue and earthy aroma. It is smoky and seductive, while packing a potent antioxidant punch. Hojicha can be enjoyed hot like a matcha latte and also works beautifully as an ice blended frappe.

8. Experiencial Dining

Delicious food plus attentive service used to automatically equal a terrific time out. Now, gourmands crave the extraordinary, such as eating on a cliff, sipping milk tea while cuddling with felines in cat cafés, or progressively noshing across an entire city. From secret menus to retro dinner theater, experiential dining has seen the biggest surge in searches on Yelp and will continue to top itself in 2023.

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9. Good Mood Food

What started with brownies and gummies has burgeoned into a whole realm of culinary cannabis. Chefs are infusing marijuana into stocks, roasting it with vegetables, and churning it with butter. There’s even CBD-enhanced ice cream and cocktails. Many states continue to prohibit the sale of marijuana edibles in restaurant settings, but cannabis menus at private and pop-up events will take diners to new highs.

10. Table for One

The pandemic taught us how to thrive on our own and enjoy solitary moments. A new generation is discovering the splendors of eating out alone as an act not to be disparaged but celebrated. Look at the multitudinous posts on TikTok with the hashtags #SoloDate and #DiningAlone. It’s not embarrassing to dress to the nines for a solo night out, sipping a yuzu lychee mocktail while nursing a bowl of kelp dashi risotto with almond pulp chips. In 2023, it’ll be unapologetically chic.

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https://www.shondaland.com/live/travel-food/g43953342/16-sweet-high-tea-experiences-around-the-world/

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