Goodbye 2017! Make way for the hottest food trends of 2018

As the New Year moves closer, it is about time we said goodbye to the passing year, turn a new leaf and make way for all things brand new. Undeniably, the food industry is one of the highly dynamic ones; there is always room for experimentation and innovation to arrive at exciting new flavours and items that are sure to entice and excite food enthusiasts across the globe.

Food experts and experimentalists continueto thwart and redesign the limits of playing around within the gastronomic space -- what followshas never really been short of surprising and delightful.

The previous year was all about marrying unique ingredients; while activated charcoal made inroads into our everyday cuppa and even ice creams and desserts, 2017 saw some bizarre food trends ranging from glitter coffee, sushi burgers to egg cappuccino among others.

Experts suggest 2018 to be no different from its precursor. Whole Foods, an American supermarket chain, recently released a list of hottest food trends for the coming year. Ahead, we share some of the most interesting things that Whole Foods has predicted to rule the culinary space in 2018.

Floral flavours

Elderflower drink became increasingly hip this year, the following year is predicted to see more of flower power invading what you drink and eat!

Fancy hibiscus, rose, lavender, jasmine to lace chocolates, beverages and even your gourmet meals.

Super powders

Turmeric assumed centre stage this year with fitness enthusiasts touting it as the ultimate health-boosting ingredient. Our desi haldi doodh was renamed and marketed as the 'Golden drink' while the Western world used the humble spice quite liberally in making its Turmeric lattes.

The following year is set to see super powders -- like Matcha, turmeric, cacao, maca root powder, egg-white protein powder among others -- to make a mark in the global food industry.

Starbucks has already introduced matcha-flavoured iced-teas and coffees across its chains.

Mushrooms

Experts have gone ahead to call 2018 the year of mushrooms where varietals like Chaga, Reishi and Cordyceps will be used to reinvent some of the most everyday consumables.

Imagine mushroom-flavoured drinks, candies and chocolates among others. Skin and haircare industry may also experiment with mushroom extracts to come up with exciting new products.

No-waste cooking

Year after year, 'sustainable living' continues to be one of the chief ideas propagated by various international organisations. 2018 is also slated to see more sustainable-friendly practices and innovations.

When it comes to your kitchen, no-waste, sustainable cooking is something that will and should be emphasised at all cost. The focus will chiefly be on usingingredients in entirety - from root, stem, leaves, seed to the fruit -- and also to encourage making use of the leftovers.

Plant-based products

The ongoing shift toward vegetarianism and veganism will acquire a new momentum with food technology making it possible to create more plant-based food items. The rise of nut milks may see another new dimension the following year.

Middle Eastern cuisine

Can't get enough of Falafel and Hummus? Good news beckons, Middle Eastern cuisine will hit the mainstream in 2018.

The year will see consumers, companies and food enthusiasts looking beyond the 'entry points' of Middle Eastern cuisine -- like Pita, Hummus, et cetera -- and explore the nuances of the cuisine.

Spices like harissa, za’atar, and delicacies like shakshuka will begin to pop out more on your regular menus.

According to the official Whole Foods release, puffed consumables, fizzy and sparkling drinks and consumables with more transparent nutrition/product labelling will also garner much attention in the year 2018.