The Amazon-owned grocery retailer Whole Foods has released its 2027 food and drink trends predictions, highlighting several shifts in how consumers will shop and eat. A Trends Council composed of culinary experts, buyers, and foragers developed the forecast by observing consumer preferences and industry movements.

What are the 2027 food and drink trends?

The council identified eight specific shifts expected to shape the market. Key areas of interest include:

  • The Bean Boom: A move toward legumes as premium, budget-friendly, and gut-friendly protein sources.
  • Bitter Done Better: An increased interest in complex flavors like dark chocolate, radicchio, and amaro-inspired drinks.
  • Beautrition: The convergence of food and wellness, where ingredients like collagen and antioxidants support skin health.
  • The Yōshoku Effect: A growing popularity for Japanese comfort foods, such as curry and milk bread.
  • Ingredient Minimalism: A consumer desire for simpler formulations and shorter ingredient labels.

Why is dish reinvention growing?

One notable trend involves customers experimenting with new flavor and texture combinations through dish reinvention. This practice involves remixing familiar favorites into unexpected forms, such as topping ramen with birria.

According to the retailer, customers are increasingly curious about the origin of their food and are looking for simple, whole-food ingredients that provide both quality and taste. This includes an interest in "terroir," where shoppers seek out regional honey, single-estate chocolate, and named-source grains. The concept is also extending to seafood through a focus on origin, sometimes called "merroir."

How are food and beauty converging?

The Beautrition trend captures the continued overlap of food, beauty, and wellness. Consumers are turning to collagen, antioxidants, healthy fats, and hydration to support skin health, blurring the lines among snacks, supplements, and skincare. Sardines and oysters are gaining attention as skin-supportive foods, the company said.

Whole Foods also noted that growing scrutiny of additives and ultra-processed foods is encouraging some shoppers to seek out simpler formulations. The retailer said its own Quality Standards currently ban more than 300 food ingredients.

FAQ

Who created these predictions?

The predictions were developed by the Whole Foods Market Trends Council, which consists of foragers, buyers, and culinary experts.

What is the Bean Boom?

It is a trend where beans and legumes are being repositioned from simple side dishes to premium, main-course protein sources.