In the scorching summer, a season of enthusiasm, barbecues, picnics, sunshine, and beaches bring with them foods uniquely tied to the season. What food trends can we expect this summer? How will a new wave of dining trends unfold? Experts from the Tyson Trendtellers Council have provided their predictions, which funnnydaily.xyz has compiled and shared with everyone.

There is a more diverse selection of protein options.

Protein is an essential component of a healthy diet, and this summer it's showcasing its unique star power in taste, texture, and variety.

This summer, plant-based proteins are increasingly becoming mainstream on menus and dinner tables. Major burger chains are launching meatless burgers, while IKEA has developed a new plant-based Swedish meatball.

The demand for protein alternatives is growing at a double-digit rate, extending beyond restaurants as more consumers rush to buy protein substitutes in stores. Tyson Foods' new brand, Raised & Rooted?, has also introduced plant-based chicken nuggets, offering consumers another choice moving forward.

Beyond that, the emergence of protein derivatives is opening up new avenues in the market. With increasing consumer demand for high-protein products, blended proteins that combine animal proteins with traditional grains and fresh vegetables have become the optimal choice.

Tyson Foods' brand Aidells? recently launched Aidells Whole Blends?, marking a breakthrough in combining sausage links and chicken meatballs with blends of cheese, grains, black beans, chickpeas, and lentils among other plant-based ingredients.

Consumers no longer harbor resistance towards animal proteins; traditional meats remain the top-selling products. 70% of meat-eaters consume non-meat proteins at least once a week, highlighting unprecedented demand for various forms of protein.

Healthy and nutritious diets tailored specifically for children

Parents hope their children will eat more seasonal vegetables in the summer, but the results are often unsatisfactory.

Today, children's taste buds are slowly but surely evolving. They are becoming "mini foodies," and their food preferences are expanding beyond fries and pizza. As children's palates mature, they tend to choose more nutritious foods.

This summer, hybrid foods are increasingly making their way onto children's plates. Mixed burgers and chicken nuggets are becoming new popular items on children's menus at pool parties and baseball games, combining the familiar tastes of traditional proteins with the nutritional value of more plant-based ingredients. Diets that offer rich flavors and varieties tend to win children's approval.

Enjoying delicious snacks anytime, anywhere

As the line between snacks and main meals blurs, the status of snacks is undergoing a transformation. We used to refer to snacks as the "fourth meal," a meal between the three main ones. However, over the past decade, the average person has increased their snacking occasions by 19 times.

Today, meal times are becoming increasingly flexible, creating a demand for ready-to-eat snack products. What used to be a sit-down breakfast at 7 a.m. with eggs and sausage may now be a Jimmy Dean microwaveable egg that can be enjoyed during a work break.

In today's on-demand, flexible, frictionless world, there is a rising trend of opting for snacks at your favorite restaurant rather than a traditional full meal. This shift is being driven once again by Generation Z and Millennials, with consumers aged 20-30 more likely than any other generation to choose snacks over meals when dining out.

According to Technomic surveys, restaurants are capitalizing on the power of street food, with nearly 14% of restaurant visitors now solely ordering snacks or small bites. This suggests a decrease in the frequency of full dining experiences among consumers.

Restaurants are innovating to differentiate themselves and attract customers, with snacks and tasty bites emerging as new stars in the foodservice industry. Examples like stuffed peppers and fried rice balls meet the dual demand for speed and creativity, catering to evolving consumer preferences.

The trend of frozen products

According to Nielsen data, sales of frozen foods have increased by 4.5% year-over-year. As people gain a better understanding of preservatives and the nutritional preservation capabilities of frozen foods, their popularity continues to rise. 32% of respondents indicated they plan to purchase more frozen foods in the coming year. Millennials are particularly enthusiastic, with 43% planning to buy more frozen foods that require minimal preparation and offer longer storage.

With increasing consumer demand for faster, more flexible, and healthier food options, supermarket freezer sections are expanding their offerings. Frozen vegetables, smoothie blends, and Acai bowls are gaining popularity, alongside a variety of frozen pizzas with different flavors. Healthier frozen options are also becoming more prominent, such as Tyson's upcoming air-fried chicken strips and Jimmy Dean's breakfast sandwiches.

A fresh upgrade in dining table accompaniments

Side dishes have long been a common but often overlooked part of the dining table. However, with the rise of food culture, side dishes are now experiencing new opportunities for development. According to Datassential's 2024 data, side dishes are among the latest additions to menus at casual and fast-food chains. People no longer see side dishes merely as supplements to main courses but as essential options.

Barbecue enthusiasts are encountering interesting new forms of side dishes on menus, often featuring proteins like chicken, beef, or pork to increase nutritional value and reduce carbohydrate intake. For example, steak and broccoli corn pasta salad or Mexican chili, pineapple salad, grilled corn, and avocado sandwich.

"Backyard barbecue" is making a strong comeback

Barbecuing is an indispensable part of summer, and this season's hottest trend is seeing more consumers embracing backyard grilling with the same dedication and high-quality tools and techniques as professional chefs at five-star restaurants. With the rise of social media and online platforms, anyone can now learn cooking from the comfort of their home using just a smartphone, becoming their own culinary expert.

The magic of summer barbecues lies in creating the ultimate cooking experience. Outdoors, surrounded by friends and family, barbecuing feels more like a recreational activity than kitchen duty. It's a straightforward and enticing process: meat + fire = dinner.

In backyard barbecues, items like bacon, pork belly, and even game meats are gaining popularity, each adding layers of sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami flavors for a richer, deeper taste experience. Beyond expanding the variety of proteins and flavors, these "backyard chefs" are incorporating techniques such as sous vide cooking, reverse searing, and smoking into their summer grilling, making use of practical and futuristic smart grilling technologies that are becoming increasingly popular.

With the rise of summer barbecues, the optimization of barbecue tools is only a matter of time. Smart home technology is extending outdoors, and an increasing number of consumers are trying out various advanced barbecue techniques to refine their skills.

For example, the industry's pioneering dual-mode smoke controller not only generates rich smoky flavors but also carefully monitors temperature consistency during the grilling process. Smartphones can also function as thermometers, using wired probes to measure meat temperatures while cooking. Furthermore, there's no need to worry about cleaning up after meals anymore. The latest automatic grill cleaners will clean the grill for you, allowing you to enjoy another form of leisure time.

(Images from the internet)