Whole Foods lists top 5 food trends for 2017

Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market released its list of leading trends to watch out for in 2017. The following five trends top the list:

Wellness tonics. A new wave of wellness drinks will go far beyond the fresh-prepared juice craze, said the retailer. “Buzzed about” ingredients include kava, Tulsi/holy basil, turmeric, apple cider vinegar, medicinal mushrooms (such as reishi and chaga) and adaptogenic herbs (maca and ashwagandha).

Products from byproducts. “Whether it’s leftover whey from strained Greek yogurt or spent grains from beer, food producers are finding innovative and delicious ways to give byproducts new life,” according to Whole Foods. For example, the condiment brand Sir Kensington is repurposing leftover liquid from cooking chickpeas in a vegan mayonnaise. And Eco-Olea is using water from its olive oil production as the base for a household cleaner line.

Coconut everything. Virtually every component of this versatile fruit-nut-seed is being used in new applications, Whole Foods said. The white flesh of the coconut is now used in flours, tortillas, chips, butters and other products. Coconut oil is used in a growing list of natural beauty products. And coconut sap is being turned into coconut sugar as an alternative to refined sweeteners.

Japanese food beyond sushi. Long-celebrated condiments with roots in Japanese cuisine such as ponzu, miso, mirin, sesame oil and plum vinegar are making their way from restaurant menus to mainstream American pantries. “Seaweed is a rising star as shoppers seek more varieties of savory greens, including fresh and dried kelp, wakame, dulse and nori, while farmhouse staples like Japanese-style pickles will continue to gain popularity,” the retailer emphasized.

Creative condiments. Previously rare and unfamiliar sauces, dips and condiments are showing up on menus and store shelves, said Whole Foods. Look for black sesame tahini, habanero jam, ghee, pomegranate molasses, date syrup, plum jam with chia seeds, beet salsa and piri piri sauce, to name a few.

For the complete list, visit http://media.wholefoodsmarket.com/news/whole-foods-market-serves-up-top-10-trends-for-2017.