For those who are looking for the next big thing in the food world, here are my Top 5 Organic Food Trends for 2011.
CHIA SEEDS
With people on a constant search for protein-rich food, chia seeds will become the popular choice. Again.
Chia seeds were a central component of the Aztec and Mayan diets and supposedly were the main food that Aztec warriors carried with them when they went off to fight. It was considered a sacred food back then.
People nowadays will be drawn to chia seeds for many different reasons. They are comprised of roughly 20% protein, are full of antioxidants, contain more Omega-3s than flax, help stabilize blood sugar levels and are a tremendous source of energy for the body and mind.
Sprouted chia seed powder is great to add to smoothies and chia seed puddings could soon become the next super-breakfast of choice.
PALM SUGAR
As I predicted last year, coconuts were going to continue their explosion in popularity and I see absolutely no slowdown in sight. While many people may know coconut water, something that will soon become a familiar item is coconut palm sugar.
Sometimes referred to as coconut palm crystals, coconut palm sugar is nothing more evaporated palm nectar — the nectar or sap from a palm tree. It is an alternative sweetener, rich in Vitamin C, lower on the Glycemic Index than agave, honey or sugar, and considered environmentally friendly.
Don’t expect palm sugar to taste exactly like other sweeteners, however. It does have a slightly different taste and one that takes a little bit of time to get used to.
Palm sugar is the only sweetener that I have in my kitchen these days. Since I ALWAYS travel with food, it is also a lot easier to pack a small bag of palm sugar in my suitcase than a bottle of honey.
FARRO
Whether it is at organic food trade shows or on supermarket shelves, I am seeing farro a lot lately and I anticipate it will only get more popular.
Around for nearly 6,000 years, farro is considered the Mother of all grains and the one from which barley, rice, wheat and rye are derived. It is slightly different than wheat, in that it the husk adheres to the grain, so it has higher levels of protein, Vitamin B and fiber.
Farro fell out of favor because it is difficult to grow and yields aren’t as high as other grains but Italians (the primary growers/manufacturers of farro) seem to be pushing it in a big way. And, consumers seem to be responding.
KALE CHIPS
If you’ve had kale chips, then you know why they are on this list. If you haven’t had kale chips, then run to your organic market and get some. Immediately. These things are amazing. And, amazingly addictive.
Kale chips are the next potato chip but healthy for you. Kale chips are nothing more than dehydrated kale and they come in a wide range of flavors such as habanero, cheesy, ranch, nacho and many others.
I see one of the major food companies getting into organic kale chips in a big way. This is the future of healthy snack food.
PRESSED JUICE
If you read livingmaxwell on a regular basis or are connected with me on Facebook, you know that I am massive drinker and fan of pressed organic juice.
Since I live in downtown New York City, I am incredibly fortunate to be able to get pressed organic juice at four different places. However, if you live anywhere else, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to find pressed juice. I am amazed that something so healthy is so hard to find.
I predict this is going to change in 2011. Health-conscious entrepreneurs are sure to capitalize on this tremendous business opportunity and pressed organic juice will become much more widely available.
Pressed organic juice may be the single best thing that you can put into your body.
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March 23, 20112011 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance
