Benefits of Nuts and Dried Fruits

Almost everyone likes nuts and dry fruits occasionally. But did you know that the nutrient value they have can help us in various ways! 

Every dietician significantly promotes nuts and Dried fruits. However, no one ever looks into it. Studies have shown that when you’re well aware of the nutrient value of what you’re eating, you’re most likely to eat healthily.

Hence, to give you concrete factors of why you should be eating nuts and dried fruits with your everyday meals, we’ve prepared this article for you. Without much further ado, let’s begin.

Why Should I Eat Nuts and Dried Fruits?

Dry fruits are a great source of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and more. They’re a high-calorie snack that you can eat on any occasion. When you start your day by consuming nuts, you’ll instantly notice a boost of energy throughout the morning. To maintain the energy flow during the day, you can eat nuts and dried fruits as a snack.

However, many people are allergic to nuts. Hence, make sure you do a proper allergy test at your local physician to know if you’re capable of ingesting nuts without any issue.

Which Dry Fruits and Nuts Should I Eat?

Let’s see some of the dried fruits and nuts you can regularly consume for utilizing their goodness below:

Almonds

Almonds are high in sugar and have high nutrient value. You can take almonds any time of the day. Taking almond milk is also a great option. People with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s diseases should not take Almonds to risk aspiration. 

They have antioxidants that help your metabolism flush out impurities from your body. Antioxidants are well known for eliminating different types of heart disease and replenishing your skin. 

Having Almonds regularly will help with constipation, heart disorders, teeth aches, and more. The ideal amount of almonds you should eat every day is 23. Ingesting the perfect amount will unleash the potential of the almonds to their highest potential. 

Apricots

Retinol is abundant in apricots. It is fat-soluble and improves eyesight. Apricots provide skin protection which is achieved through controlling the immune system. They also lower the risk of developing Neovascular ARMD, a kind of age-related macular degeneration that causes vision loss.

Apricots, whether dried or fresh, are rich in fiber. Because apricots contain fat-soluble retinol, they are readily absorbed. It also digests lipids quickly. By eating the fruit, you may prevent gastrointestinal issues.

The fiber component of the fruit reduces harmful cholesterol levels, protecting the heart. It boosts healthy cholesterol. Apples’ potassium content also aids in electrolyte balance and heart muscle function.

Have one or two fresh or dried apricots daily.

Antioxidant-rich fruits help the body eliminate pollutants. Inflammatory free radicals cause cell injury.

Cashews

Cashew nuts are tempting and tasty. Once you start eating it, we’re sure you can’t get enough of it. However, remember that you shouldn’t eat more than 5-6 cashew nuts in a day. People with kidney problems and allergies to cashew should avoid eating them.

Cashews - Benefits of Nuts and Dried Fruits - Topping Solutions

Cashew nuts are pretty literally loaded with health benefits. Since they have vitamin E and B6, cashew nuts can help your cells regenerate and support your immune system. They also contain protein and fatty substances. Hence, you should incorporate eating cashew nuts more in your diet to gain weight faster. 

Dried Blueberries

Dried blueberries are one of the most underrated dried fruits. Not many people know about how highly beneficial it is for health. Dried blueberries contain many enzymes like flavonols, hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, and other antioxidants. 

The antioxidants and enzymes cooperate to regenerate cells, protect the body from viral diseases, and cut fat from the diet. They’re also used as decorative fruits. 

Dried blueberries have Pterostilbene, which helps create natural antibodies to help anti-inflammatory processes of the body. If you fall sick, you can also take blueberries as they have flavonoids, which help cure the flu. 

You can also incorporate delicious dried blueberries for sale as your toppings for different purposes at Topping Solutions

Coconut Flakes

Dried coconuts are super delicious! But, you can use them for your health benefits too. Coconut flakes are loveable for plenty of reasons. They’re a rich source of dietary fiber, which provides a hefty amount of glucose. If you have anemia and low glucose levels, eating coconut flakes will help you feel more energized. 

Coconut flakes also help in fiber generation during digestion. It has beneficial medium-chain-fatty-acids (MCFAs), which leave you feeling full after you’re done eating it. They’re super portable and delicious to snack on. Sweetened coconut flakes are also an excellent topping that you can use for desserts! 

Marionberries

Marionberries are an excellent berry to eat throughout the day. Sometimes, they don’t even require to be sweetened. Dried marionberries are rarely commercially sold, but you can easily sundry them to make dried marionberries.

Marionberries have immense health benefits from having vitamin c, gallic acid, rutin, polyphenol, ellagic acid, flavonoids, and more. All the enzymes have specific functions that help the human body in various ways. 

Marionberries are also used for reducing hunger. They can increase adiponectin, which helps reduce appetite and feeling hungry. Scientists have observed different types of anti-obese properties in the berries as well. 

The different acid secretion from the berries can be seen in preventing cancer. You can find marionberries for sale in your local grocery store, primarily from July to August. You can dry them to save up for the whole year!

Raisins

Raisins are rich in fiber and act as a laxative, helping to keep the digestive tract healthy. Constipation alleviation, smooth bowel movements, and the removal of waste products and toxins are all benefits of a balanced diet of raisins. Raisins are also said to relieve bloating, acid reflux, and gas.

The mineral boron is also found in raisins. Numerous studies show that consuming raisins, incredibly soaked raisins, increases nutrient absorption and bone density. They’re both delicious and highly beneficial to your health. 

Walnuts

Walnuts are rich in B vitamins, which boost energy levels. This aids with weight reduction. When we are excited, we are more likely to move. To increase energy levels in the morning, mix walnuts into a cup of yogurt or a smoothie.

Walnuts have high levels of antioxidants, especially vitamin E, which aid in maintaining healthy skin. 

It includes essential fatty acids that may help to speed up metabolism. A handful of walnuts may help with digestion, development, and other metabolic processes.

Diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, and allergies are all caused by inflammation. Walnuts contain anti-inflammatory effects. Consuming walnuts daily may protect against some diseases.

Walnuts contain a lot of antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids. The high antioxidant content of walnuts has been proven to decrease the risk of cancer. They delay the progression of cancers such as prostate, breast, and pancreatic.

Conclusion

You can even add other dried fruits and nuts such as dates, pistachios, figs, and more to your diet. But, it would be best if you were careful not to snack on the sweetened dried fruits constantly to avoid gaining weight. 

Now that you’re feeling hungry about these yummy and healthy snacks, add them to your diet! We hope you know the benefits of nuts and dried fruits by now. Till the next time, happy healthy snacking!

5 Fabulous Use of HERSHEY’S Syrup

The most cherishable moments of childhood are usually the most simplistic ones. So is my one with one essential addition: Hershey’s chocolate syrup.

My childhood was all about Hershey’s Syrup. Either it’s a big bowl of ice cream or peanut butter cookies, without the drizzle of chocolate syrup, all were unimaginable. This sweet yet simple ingredient can make any food delicious and divine.

Now, being a Mom of two, chocolate Hershey syrup is my real rescuer. From milk to bananas, when the syrup makes them yummy, feeding my children doesn’t cost me any penny.

However, can you use Hershey’s chocolate syrup only with milk and ice cream? No. This heavenly ingredient can be used in several ways to bring sugary delight to your flat and flavorless life.

Let’s start a sweet safari of exploring 5 different uses of HERSHEY’S Syrup.

5 Ingredients of Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup

Before you know the different uses of Hershey’s syrup, let’s meet the 5 ingredients that have made your meal mouthwatering.

The new Hershey’s chocolate syrup Simply 5 comes with only 5 essential ingredients. They are-

  • Cane syrup/ corn syrup
  • Cane sugar
  • Cocoa
  • Natural vanilla Flavor
  • Water

Chocolate fudge topping and Hershey’s chocolate syrup: are they different? Yes, they are.

Chocolate fudge is thick and is typically made of cream, sugar, chocolate, butter, and vanilla. Moreover, the taste is rich and decadent. In contrast, the chocolate syrup is much thinner and used to contain corn syrup. In addition, as a thinner server, it usually spreads quickly and consistently over your food.

5 Ways To Use Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup

Dip, dunk, drizzle: life becomes sweet and celestial. You can create magic with your regular food with the whipping of Hershey’s syrup.

Ways To Use Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup - chocolate hershey syrup - Topping Solutions

Following are 5 various uses of Hershey’s chocolate syrup that are simple, creative, and incredibly delicious.

Chocolate Plastered Pancakes

Pancakes with sliced banana and maple syrup: ahhh, what a classy breakfast. However, have you ever thought of swapping maple syrup with Hershey’s chocolate syrup?

Not yet? Don’t wait for tomorrow and try today the new topping of the town.

Make traditional pancake batter with flour, milk, and eggs. For a twisty taste, mix some chocolate syrup with the batter. When your pancakes are ready, top them with chocolate syrup.

Chocolate-maple syrup!!! Now, what’s this? It is an exclusive addition to your taste bite.

Mix the same portion of basic maple-flavored pancake syrup with Hershey’s chocolate syrup. Your customized pancake syrup is ready to flourish your food fabulously.

Chocolate Drizzled Cheesecake

The creamy, moist crunchy cheesecake is everyone’s favorite. Let’s make it more alluring. 

Drizzle your cheesecake with chocolate syrup.

The sweet darkness of chocolate crashes with the tangy and creamy cheesecake, like the sweet tango of love.

To relish the food, you can bake the cake or buy it from the bakery. Though baking will keep you waiting for hours, it’s always fun baking a cake.

However, for a cheesecake, late is always great. Wait for three to four hours for the cake to chill before serving with chocolate syrup topping.

Double Dip Strawberry

Now is not the month of love, February. But who has been told to enjoy chocolate-covered strawberries-only on Valentine’s day?

Chocolate-covered strawberries or chocolate dip strawberries don’t need any special occasion. With the double-dip strawberry, every day is special.

All you need to enjoy this food is fresh strawberries and a bottle of Hershey’s chocolate syrup.

Prepare a tray with wax paper. Dip strawberries into the syrup, shake gently, and place on the plate. Now freeze them for at least 1 hour. Ohh, 1 hour is over – dig into the double-dip strawberry!

Plastered Pretzels

Crispy, crunchy, and salty: pretzels are pleasant members of most pantries. This brown cracker-like food is an easy grab as it lasts long if stored properly.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab some and prepare chocolate plastered pretzels. Dip the pretzels half into chocolate syrup, place them on a plate, and put them into your freezer for hours to chill.

The crisp, brittle texture is covered in smooth chocolate, and the salty collides with sweet. This magical synch can make anyone’s day.

Chocolate Topping Brownies

Brownies are beloved. This fudgy buttery chocolaty diva is a delicious diva. Now, what if you whip some Hershey’s syrup as topping over your brownies?

Not only will the chocolate syrup make your brownies more beautiful, but also it will take the cake to a different level. The sweetness of the brownie will perfectly match the dark chocolate syrup and add to the goodness of your cake.

Either your Sunday supper or Monday meeting meal, chocolate topping brownies always add delight to your bite.

However, along with these 5, there are multiple ways of enjoying sweet chocolate syrup. 

Drizzling the syrup onto your ice cream is an old classic. Along with this, you can stir the syrup into milk, drape it over cappuccinos, or fold it into the batter.

You can also mix them with Hershey’s Caramel syrup to make the thick and smooth salted chocolate Hershey’s caramel topping. This amber beauty is a perfect topping for any dessert you prefer.

Hershey’s chocolate syrup is a perfect addition to any food that the list could go on and on about using Hershey’s Syrup.

Beneficial Fact of Chocolate Syrup

When it comes to sweet and chocolaty treats, Hershey’s chocolate syrup is not always an offender. You may be surprised to hear that syrup contains few dietary fibers good for your health. The single-serving even contains low fat.

However, one of the main ingredients, high fructose corn syrup, is not healthy. Therefore, use the syrup in moderation.

Let’s Get Sweet and Chocolaty

Hershey’s chocolate syrup. A name that can take you back to your childhood. A name without whom your pantry is never complete. A name you don’t have any reason to call out to accompany you.

Hershey’s chocolate syrup truly adds delight to every dessert. Use of Hershey’s syrup in your food: the list is endless. Whether it’s your morning pancakes, snack time cookies, or dinner time dessert, they are the perfect topping.

What are you waiting for? Dive into your heart, explore creativity, and execute your fabulous recipe topping with Hershey’s chocolate syrup.

How to Customize Chocolate & Candy?

“Yum, chocolate!” – that’s exactly how our brain responds when it sees chocolate in the form of presents. However, you may not always find chocolate and candy, which is like you imagine it to be. Hence, here is the write-up that will help you understand how to customize chocolate and candy.

You’re in luck because chocolate and candy are easily customizable with a few simple steps. You can also choose to get your toppings customized and repackaged at Topping Solutions.

Therefore, without any further ado, let’s begin our chocolate carving!

How to Customize Chocolate and Candy At Home

To customize your chocolate with beautiful wrappers and bring your personal touch to it, you have to create a chocolate base. Contrary to popular belief, carving chocolate is easy with these few simple steps:

Melt candy or chocolate of your choice

Sure, you can make chocolate from scratch. But if you’re in a hurry, it’s best to meet your favorite candy. If you’re using Hershey’s, crack the bar a few times and put them in the micro oven for 1 minute. Keep stirring the chocolate every time. Repeat the process until you find the desired melting consistency. You can also temper the chocolate over the stove if you want.

You can also use jolly rancher candy for melting. Make sure to take four candies and microwave them at 80% strength for a minute. You can use different flavors to go wild with the unique flavoring! If it doesn’t melt completely, put it in for 15 more seconds. Soon, it should begin to melt. 

Remold

Buy a mold from your nearest bakery shop or supermarket. It’s effortless to remold your candy into the shape you want it to be. It can be a letter or a customized silicone mold with a design close to your heart. The options are plenty!

Wrap it up

Time to wrap your creation! You can either use candy wrappers found in chocolatier bakeries or order wrappers from printing presses. You can even decide to get your chocolate printed by a chocolatier who has a chocolate printing press. 

There’s an array of options you can choose from to make the ultimate customized candy unique to you. 

There are different chocolate flavors toppings that you can opt for when making your own. You can add sea salt, minty chocolate chips, espresso essence, various flavorings, confetti, and a lot more to your choice! Remember, experimenting is the best way to find out what works the best for you. 

If you want to skip making the chocolate toppings for yourself, you can contact Topping Solutions for all your one-top candy topping needs within a budget!

What occasion is suitable for custom chocolate and candy?

What occasion is suitable for custom chocolate and candy - crushed peppermint candy - Topping Solutions

When you’re customizing chocolate, there’s a good chance it’s for a special one. We’re here to help you pick the best type of customized chocolate that will fit the location. Let’s get more into it:

Business Purposes

If you want to end your meeting on a sweet note right after you close the deal with a client, customized chocolate will be highly ideal! After all, nothing expresses gratitude and love more than a bar of candy. You can also use a mini box of candy. 

To make custom chocolate and candy for your business, you can collaborate with your local chocolatiers. Make your unique wrapper for the candy of choice.

You can also get stickers from your company to attach with different individual pieces of Hershey’s kisses, jolly rancher candy, baby ruth candy, and more. It’s all about how you want to represent your company!

Valentines Special

The season of lovers is none other than valentines. Most people tend to search for what to get for their valentine right before the date approaches. And by far, chocolate has been the most substantially sold product during Valentine’s.

You can always buy candy from the shop and gift it without any further thought. However, when you customize the perfect candy for your significant other, they’ll appreciate it a lot more. After all, it has your personal touch. You can get your chocolate customized at Topping Solutions without any hassle as well!

For Valentines Day, you can make chocolate at home with molds available in your nearest convenience store. You can also get a chocolatier to personalize the different shapes and flavors of your candy. The best way to present them is by a wrapper. You can also add a little bow on top for extra cuteness.

Holiday Gifts

Oh, the sound of bells, cheerful people, and crowded giftshops! The essence reminds us of holidays instantly. One of the best gifts to gift to your loved ones is a personally made, handcrafted chocolate. 

There are plenty of ways you can decorate your personalized chocolate when it’s the holidays. You can choose to package the candy with holiday-themed wrappers individually. 

You can also use delightful crushed peppermint candy to make the vibe of the holidays even better. Don’t forget to make the holiday season jollier with jolly rancher candy as well!

Wedding Favors

If you’re getting hitched, to make the invitations memorable – use customized chocolate to send out the invites. You can get in touch with different candy companies such as baby ruth candy, Hershey’s, Reese’s, and more to order a bulk amount of chocolate for your occasion. 

They can customize the wrapper just according to your choice. You can even combine different flavors of jolly ranchers to make a unique flavoring and send it in a cute basket with a bow! Make sure to research the internet for more customized chocolate inspiration. 

Birthday Party

To make your birthday party stretch a bit more, customize chocolate. Birthday parties include people of all ages who have one thing in common, their love for chocolate. Hence, utilize mutual love! 

Thus, the best way to give away personalized chocolates is to make a goody bag full of varieties of candies for the guests to take home. Trust us – the goodie bags can be Instagram-worthy and something to commemorate the special day in an extra special way!

Just-For-You

There’s no reason you shouldn’t be making personalized chocolate for yourself. Eating chocolate has been scientifically proven to boost happy hormone levels and cheer you up instantly. It even has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. 

The best part about customizing chocolate for yourself is how creative you get to be with it. Chocolate is a form of art that you can practice in many different ways. Going a bit crazy with different molds, packaging, toppings, and flavorings of various chocolate and candy can be a great hobby to invest time in. 

Therefore, please don’t be shy to be yourself while you’re at it!

Conclusion

Now that we’ve reached the end of the article, we hope you have the information about customizing chocolate and candy for different occasions! Don’t forget to have fun with chocolate and not burn yourself while working with hot chocolate. 
Be prepared to have everyone’s heart-melting over the sweet gesture of customized candy! You can also contact Topping Solutions for hassle-free ingredient expertise! Till the next time, happy chocolating!

13 Facts You Need To Know While Baking Your Best Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Making double chocolate chip cookies (or any baked dessert) is essentially a scientific experiment. The experiment will only be successful when every component is correctly mixed and the chemistry is perfect. 

The process of baking cookies: Butter and sugar are mixed together, then dry ingredients like flour, baking soda, and salt are added, and the mixture is cooked to the perfect temperature. It’s also crucial to accurately measure ingredients to ensure the final product has the right texture and taste. 

Thankfully, the Topping Solutions Test Kitchen has tried and tested various chocolate chip cookie doughs, so you won’t have to risk a failed experiment when making changes to your recipe.

Here are the important facts you need to know before baking cookies. 

1. More Butter = A Wider Spread & More Tenderness In Cookies.

Shortening-based cookies are softer but denser than butter-based cookies. 

The way Butter is added have an impact on texture. Cool Butter is beaten until it’s light and fluffy in the early stages of creating a cookie. Part air is included throughout the process, and some of the sugar dissolves in the aqueous phase of the Butter. 

As the cookies bake, the air helps to leaven them and give them lift. Denser cookies result from melting Butter before mixing it with sugar and eggs.

2. Melted Butter = Denser Cookies & Creamed Butter = Crispier Cookies

I thought to myself if browning milk proteins adds taste to cookies, how could I amp it up even more?

However, it creates new issues. Brown Butter contributes no moisture to the dough because it can’t become heated enough to brown milk proteins until all water content has evaporated. Sugar that is put into browned Butter without water will not dissolve, making it more difficult for them to melt together while the cookie bakes. 

3. Extra Egg Whites = Taller Cookies & More Egg Yolks = Fudgier Cookies

It turns out that the ideal mix for me is a 1 to 1 ratio of egg whites to egg yolks, which is also how eggs occur in nature. Isn’t it amazing?

To keep things texturally interesting, it turns out that you need a balance of dissolved and undissolved sugar.

4. Too Much Dissolved Sugar = Uniform Texture & Less Cracking

The amount of time the Butter is allowed to cool before being added to the mixture may influence how well it retains air when combined with the eggs. Warm Butter is extremely easy to work with and does not hold bubbles well. 

It gets denser as it cools, making it better at trapping air. It just takes a few degrees to make a significant impact. My browned Butter got solid enough to beat into the egg and sugar mixture without collapsing after I let it cool to nearly room temperature.

5. White Sugar = Thin & Crisp Cookies & Brown Sugar = Tall & Moist Cookies

Combining the two strikes a nice balance, and dissolving too much sugar may result in a too homogenous texture. The pockets of molten sugar that caramelize inside the cookie as it bakes stay irregular. The sugar remains in distinct grains, giving the biscuit additional tactile complexity.

On the other hand, brown sugar has an advantage over white sugar in that it caramelizes more quickly, resulting in a more intense taste. 

6. Soda = Craggy & Coarse; Powder = Cakey & Smooth

I don’t like cakey cookies, and the brown sugar in my cookies supplied enough acid for the baking soda to react with. 3/4 teaspoon seems to be the perfect quantity. 

Furthermore, baking soda significantly impacts how quickly foods darken and acquire browned tastes because the Maillard process occurs more rapidly in slightly alkaline conditions. When it comes to cookies, browning is a good thing.

7. More Bread flour = Chewier Cookies, & More Cake Flour = Softer Cookies

We found out that if you work carefully with the proportions of the other ingredients, you can get away with using ordinary all-purpose flour.

Because flour makes up the majority of a cookie’s structure, the quantity you use may affect the cookie’s texture. Cookies with a tiny amount of flour relative to Butter (a ratio of 1 to 1 or less) spread out into wafer-like lace cookies. Extra flour can result in cookies that hardly spread as they bake, with thick, dough-like cores even when they’re nearly done.

This may be a good thing for some people, but I like a great balance of the two in my cookies. I decided on a flour-to-butter ratio of 10 ounces flour to 8 ounces butter.

8. Less Kneading = Craggier Cookies & Better Texture 

Even before baking, the dough scoops should have a natural cragginess to them.

If you want your cookies particularly craggy, we suggest tearing the dough balls apart with your fingers and mooshing them back together with the jagged split portion facing outwards.

Those crags should emerge in the final cooked shape of the cookies if you used enough flour and your other ratios are correct.

9. Hand-Chopped Chocolate = Most Intense Flavor & Interesting Texture

You may also customize the size of your chocolate pieces by hand cutting. I soon found that I like a lot of chocolate (a full 8 ounces) and that I prefer it in big pieces of 1/2 to 1/4 inch.

By gently stirring cookie dough that’s been warmed to over 95°F, or by adding chocolate into the dough that’s been let to rest in a warm place until it reaches above 95°F, you wind up distributing some melted chocolate throughout the works.

Hand-Chopped Chocolate - double chocolate chip cookies - Topping Solutions

The result is a swirl effect that, if done correctly, may be very tasty. Still, you will lose out on the traditional big melty pockets.

I like cookies prepared with dough that has been gently swirled and warmed to 80°F. The smallest pieces of chocolate melt, while the bigger chunks remain solid.

10. Cookies Need A Greater Amount Of Salt Than You Would Think

A decent quantity of salt (and a lot of it) is required to balance the flavour of caramelized sugars, as is a large amount of vanilla (though our recent taste test has shown, even imitation vanilla flavouring will do just fine). 

11. Low-Cost Vanilla = High-End Vanilla

Even though regular salt can be incorporated into the dough, I prefer to sprinkle coarse sea salt on the tops of the cookies as soon as they come out of the oven, gently pushing it in for tiny crunchy bursts of salt that explode with each mouthful.

12. Wider Cookies = Cooler Oven & Compact Cookies = Hotter Oven

The beginning temperature of the dough and the oven temperature have an impact on the result.

Cookies baked directly from the fridge remain a bit more compact, while cookies that are left to warm spread out more. You may produce a broad range of textures and contrasts by changing the cookie dough’s beginning temperature and the oven’s temperature.

13. A Resting Period Of Overnight Produces Superior Flavor

Although patience is difficult, I believe that greatness is worth the wait. After all, is done, rest it overnight, and you’ll get the best flavour of double chocolate chip cookies you desired. 

Is it worthwhile to put in the additional time and effort? Yes, I believe so.

Final Thoughts 

The beauty of knowing how ingredients interact is that, even if my idea of the “best” chocolate cookie differs from yours, you already know how to modify my recipe to fit your preferences. 

Do you like your cookies to be chewier? Substitute bread flour for part of the all-purpose flour. Would you want your cookies to be a bit taller? Replace the yolk of one egg with an additional white, or add a baking powder pinch. Do you like your chocolate to be divided into separate pockets? Instead of hand-chopping, use chocolate chips. Do you want your cookies to be chewier? Simply substitute part of the sugar with a little amount of corn syrup.

I know you’ve got this. So, what are you waiting for? Start baking cookies right now!

Cake Decoration 101: 9 Basic Cake Decorating Tips You Need To Know

I always wanted to be a skilled cake designer from the moment I found my love for food. However, it didn’t come to me very naturally. I decorated my sister’s wedding cake, and it was the worst decision ever in my life. I compensated her last year on her 6th anniversary by creating another cake. I’ve finally completed design courses and have a lot of experience now. 

From my experience, understanding the fundamentals may make all the difference. I’m going to share a few fundamental cakes decorating techniques with you today that I’ve picked up in my journey towards being a cake designer. 

1. You’ve to spend some money initially. 

This was the first time I learnt how to properly decorate a cake. When I first aspired to be a cake decorator, I spent a little money on a tip set and some icing bags.

However, it’s a good idea to spend some more money in the beginning if you’re serious about it. In my design classes, we were given a list of 26 items. But you don’t need that many things to start tbh! My recommended list would cost you a few hundred dollars only. 

The fundamentals, according to Topping Solutions, are:

  • Bag of pastries (fabric or disposables)
  • A spatula set
  • Coloured food
  • Cake stand with a turntable
  • Cutters 

2. You can make your own icing if you want to.

I don’t believe it’s fair of me to give away my class’s icing recipe since we paid for it, but I’ll tell you this was the toughest pill for me to swallow.

I am a firm believer in eating whole foods. However, we must utilise it to get our frosting to curve the way we want it and make lovely flowers. Why? Because butter is soft at room temperature and becomes much more so when touched. We’d end up with a melted mess!

So, swallow your pride and give this recipe a try, tweaking it as needed. You may get some excellent flavourings in the cake and confectionery aisles. I suggest that you bring additional powdered sugar to each session so that you could create a firm frosting and correctly make the flowers.

Also, if you’re using a stand mixer to create your icing, don’t go beyond number 4, or you’ll end up with too many air bubbles in your frosting. This isn’t good.

3. Overturn your cake. 

Before you finished your last cake, you were meant to apply a crumb coat, right? This is because you don’t want the crumbs to show through in the finished result.

Overturn your cake - decorative chocolate curls - Topping Solutions

Before I proceed any further, I strongly advise you to use a cake leveller. I was hesitant to buy it at first, but I’m happy I did in the end. The difference in how well it sliced into my cake astounded me.

Anyway, we’re left with crumbs after the cake is levelled. You are not if you flip it upside down! Huh! Who would have guessed?

4. Practice piping. 

It takes practice to make beautiful flowers and other forms using a piping bag and different tips. The same may be said with royal icing writing. Of course, nothing beats a hands-on cake decorating experience, but practising on wax paper instead of the cake is a wonderful way to get started.

Individual tiny flowers may be transferred from wax paper to the cake, but this will not work with edging or writing. Still, it’s a fantastic method to get some practice in till you master it.

5. Icing should be smoothed out.

A paper towel is a secret ingredient when it comes to smoothing off your icing.

The first step is to smooth it out as much as possible using your tiny offset spatula, then put it aside for a bit. When your cake is tacky to the touch, it’s time to smooth the icing out completely.

Simply smooth the icing over the non-patterned side of the cake with your icing smoother. You’ll have a wonderful, silky cake before you know it!

6. It probably isn’t tough enough.

This, I believe, is my greatest challenge. The frosting on my cake isn’t firm enough. Writing this article has made me want to go in the kitchen and practice (and I hope it has done the same for you!).

I just did it, and my frosting didn’t seem firm enough. So I went ahead and added some more. It’s still not firm enough. Nothing will stick if it isn’t – from the 3-dimensional flowers that make you scratch your head to the leaves – nothing will stay if it isn’t.

Purchase a large quantity of powdered sugar.

7. Practice will make you perfect. 

Practice, practice, and more practice. When I first began cake designing, I told you I had gone through many icing bags and cake boards.

I have the advantage of being in a culinary school, so I alternate between courses about baking my cake and who gets to eat it the following day (I decorate for now). They like it, and I enjoy it since it allows me to practice a simple cake without consuming it.

I also suggest that if you’re going to consume it, you don’t stick to the usual chocolate gems or vanilla flavours. Try different toppings for your practice. 

8. Is it better to write or not to write?

Surprisingly, this is one area where I am confident in my abilities.

I practised on the chocolate chip cookies whenever I could get away with it. I eventually became as excellent as, if not better than, the bakery workers. Whether you’re a left-hander or not, lol!

There is no shortcut other than practice when it comes to writing on your cake “HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB”. My only suggestion is to hold it up high with your non-dominant hand and down low with your dominant hand to get the writing perfect. 

9. Last but not least, have fun.

I often joke with folks that I don’t have a life since I know there’s still so much I need to accomplish. I’m a graduate student, a teacher, and a Junior Class Sponsor (which means I raise money for prom… aka concession stands).

In addition, I am the sponsor of our school’s culinary competition team, I blog, and I am enrolled in a cake design program.

To summarise, I don’t have time for YouTube. I just have fun as much as I can, 

Final Thoughts 

My first attempt at cake decorating was a disaster. I didn’t devote the time and effort that I should have. Now that I’m a certified cake designer, I’m feeling more confident. I’m looking forward to being as creative in the baking department as I am in the culinary department. Nothing makes me happier than watching someone enjoy a gourmet masterpiece I created.If you’re in the same boat, I suggest enrolling in a class or doing some research and learning from those who are eager to share what they’ve learned. What’s most important? Have a good time and if you need anything for your topping, turn to Topping Solutions!

Premium Food Ingredient List & How To Interpret It

In today’s world, where cheap, low-grade food ingredients are widely and shamelessly used, it’s all the more important to ensure that the food you eat should be made with premium food ingredients. Apart from the difference in taste, texture, and flavors, consuming food made of inferior ingredients can cause health complications. 

The United States of America government now requires the complete disclosure of all the ingredients used in the packaged food and beverages by a label called Nutrition Facts Label or NFL. This instruction was given to large food companies with a deadline of January 1, 2020, in order to update their products’ packaging. The list will be highly regulated by the NFL so that consumers receive only the best ingredients.

However, now that the ingredients list is sorted, there lies a completely different issue. The issue of lack of understanding and interpretation of the ingredient list. Nowadays, people often wonder if it makes any difference whether a food is made of high-quality ingredients or not? The short answer is yes, it does! Today, we will be discussing why premium quality ingredients matter and how you can educate yourself better on sieving through the ingredients.

Why Quality Ingredients Matter?

Let’s discuss why the quality of the ingredients really matter.

For Health

If we are to eat only just because we are hungry, we can munch on papers, right? But chewing paper won’t do good to our body or give us any nutrition. The nutrients are needed for us to survive and maintain a healthy body. Inferior quality ingredients tamper with the nutrients; thus, it’s just like eating pieces of paper. These ingredients are artificially made, and they often create adverse effects on our bodies. These low-graded, artificially made food ingredient products are neither good for your skin nor your overall health.

To Obtain The Rich Flavor

Here’s an experiment for you. Tell me honestly, does the cheaply made artificial mango juice taste better than the real mango? It doesn’t! No matter how pro we are, we can’t replicate nature’s gifts. We need more flavors and taste, but we tend to forget that some companies heavy-handedly put artificial flavor just to add that punch. Premium quality food tastes divine and luxurious, and you will immediately tell the difference between them and the poorly-made ones. That’s the reason why people love organic and farm-fresh food.

Ensuring Health Safety

Haven’t we all heard the news of food poisoning from eating at a restaurant? These things are quite common. In fact, it’s so common we tend to forget about it the next day. But that’s a rant for another day! The idea of telling you this is that oftentimes we forget where the food ingredients come from, how they are grown/made, are they cooked or made properly or not, etc. So we should always check before we eat or buy something from the grocery store. Opting for 100% and fresh food should be the primary goal to have a healthy and hearty meal.

Free From Harmful Chemicals

Pesticides, formalin, and other harmful chemicals used on plants, vegetables, and fruits can hurt your stomach. These chemicals can destroy the soil so much that the soil loses its farmers’ need to purchase other chemicals to reverse the damages. This takes a toll on the soil, and thus the quality of the vegetables and fruits hinder. Some farms even use GMOs, but researches have shown that using GMOs can cause cancer and allergies. Low-graded ingredients, therefore, pose all the more threats to people consuming them.

How To Interpret Ingredients’ List Correctly

Now that we have discussed why quality ingredients matter, let’s understand how to interpret the ingredients list like a pro. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you out.

Check The Ingredients List

Check The Ingredients List - Premium Food Ingredients - Topping Solutions

When you check on the food, make sure there’s an ingredient list on the package. Manufacturers should be transparent as to what they are using to make the product. When you find the ingredients list, start reading from the top. Product manufacturers enlist ingredients with the most prevalent ingredient at the top of the list and the least at the bottom. For example, the chief ingredient used to make cookies/biscuits is flour, so it is always mentioned at the start of the list. 

Understanding The Ingredients

Some manufacturers are smart and clever; they put a list of scientific names for the dodgy ingredients so that consumers can’t tell those ingredients. The best solution will be to look the ingredients up on the internet and search for the ingredients’ common name. But it’s also true that not all food product manufacturers use a different term for the ingredient for malicious purposes. For example, the term Ascorbic acid simply means Vitamin C in plain terms.

Micronutrients

Since adding iodine to the salt made such a huge difference in nutrition, the FDA stated that it is necessary to include micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals. The inclusion of these micronutrients can make a food product highly nutritious and prevent malnutrition. So, you should always check if the food you are purchasing is enriched in micronutrients in them before you buy them.

Conclusion

With everything mentioned in this article, you are now fully aware of what to look for and how to get your ingredients list right. Also, opt for food containing labels like ‘no artificial flavors’ or ‘made from 100% organic ingredients’. 
In desperate need of a premium food ingredients supplier? Topping Solutions specializes in providing premium toppings and inclusions for a variety of applications in the food industry. Beyond sourcing ingredients, we offer a full suite of solutions to best fit your product needs. From chopping and blending to kitting and repacking, we help you streamline and boost operational efficiency to build a better bottom line.

11 Latest Food Service Industry Trends of 2021

In 2021 innovation was the name of the game. The food service industry saw a rise in virtual kitchens, advanced ordering apps, and touchless delivery to meet their customers’ demands for new technologies that make life easier. 

In an ever-changing world where only those who adapt will survive, companies must constantly guard against any potential changes coming down the pipeline to not miss out on anything essential or disrupt how they operate within this lucrative market segment. Eleven food service industry trends have been highlighted in this article.

Tamper Protecting Take Out Containers

Tamper evident packages or containers are designed to seal your food once it is ready for pickup or delivery, ensuring the food has not been tampered with. This also helps you ensure that customers’ food isn’t exposed and can be left unsupervised without the worry of contamination when they’re gone on vacation! In addition, it’s clear when these packages have been opened. So, there will never be any questions about what was done while their back was turned.

Cashier Safety Shields

If you want to avoid contact with others during a pandemic, it’s not easy. Businesses have been forced to limit indoor dining and shopping in accordance with social distancing guidelines – making transactions that much more difficult for their employees or guests. But now there is an answer: cashier shields! These come in many shapes and sizes, so they can be used at any point of sale (using your thumb over the other hand will do just as well).

As businesses restrict workplace interactions due to health concerns regarding exposure risks from respiratory droplets transmitted through face-to-face customer encounters, one solution has emerged—cashier shields. It protects both customers and retail workers while giving them flexibility on where these are placed throughout the store space.

Online Ordering Apps

Restaurants are making it easier for customers to place their orders with the introduction of apps quickly. These apps also promote the restaurant through push notifications or tweets that send out coupon codes! In addition, they have streamlined the ordering process by having those apps that can offer better customer service.

Instead of developing apps, some restaurants have been taking over text-based customer requests. Nevertheless, an increase in Twitter ordering from certain establishments such as smaller local diners has been observed over the last few years. However, it could take years before starting to use any advanced technological features on a broader scale.

Virtual Kitchens/Cloud Kitchen

With the future of food becoming increasingly take-out and delivery-heavy, restaurants have had to make some changes. They turn into a fully operated ghost kitchen model with just an open space for cooking ingredients because it is cheaper than having front-of-house dining areas. 

Virtual Kitchens-Cloud Kitchen - food service industry trends - Topping Solutions

The money they save on rent, servers, furniture, bartenders, and electricity goes towards high-quality ingredients or lowers their menu’s cost to attract more online orders from customers who want convenience instead of eating out face-to-face.

Drive-In Restaurant Service

Restaurants are seeking new ways to go out and enjoy a meal as safety rates rise. Drive-in diners provide the perfect solution since they allow customers to order their food before arriving at the restaurant via a computer or phone app. They then receive it through an ordering window directly attached to their car’s driver-side door, allowing for easy access while seated inside your vehicle without any worries about getting back into traffic afterward! 

This also means that restaurants can avert using up valuable parking spaces on busy nights when patrons may not want takeout but instead prefer eating indoors with family members or friends present, making everyone happy all around!

QR Code Menus

QR codes are an ingenious invention. These quick-response barcodes contain information accessible through a smartphone camera or external app, depending on the model. Recently, restaurants have been using QR code technology to house their menus and eliminate time-consuming interactions with customers by having servers carry real menus around for them instead of tangible copies – saving money in paper costs too!

Independent Delivery Services

Third-party delivery services offer a convenient way for individuals to order food. These companies partner with restaurants and have drivers deliver orders directly to the customer’s doorstep, eliminating administrative tasks from business owners on both ends of the transaction. In addition, services like Uber Eats, Doordash, and GrubHub work as an additional form of ordering food and act as a source of income for many people throughout the pandemic.

Grocery/Fresh Produce Delivery Services

Grocery store owners are always looking for new ways to stay ahead of the competition. As more people order takeout or opt for food delivery services, grocery stores offer their version of a service that allows customers to cook from home while keeping the exposure low to others. This will become the most crucial food ingredient industry trend in 2021.

In addition, it’s now possible to create and check out your cart online so it can be delivered right at your door! Grocery Delivery Services allow you to pick up orders once they have been prepared without having the inconvenience of going back into town on foot.

Meal Subscription Services

With more and more people making the switch to exclusively using internet-based services, subscription meal deliveries have begun popping up all over. Similar to Netflix or Spotify subscriptions, these meals offer a monthly fee in return for personalized food prepared just how you like it! 

Once they’ve chosen what they want as their next dish, customers will receive shipments at home that allow them to start preparing right away – no need for grocery shopping! You can also choose from different plan lengths: weekly plans send fresh ingredients every week while monthly plans deliver once per month with enough ingredients for three weeks’ worth of cooking.

Co-Op Delivery

What could possibly be more convenient than ordering products from your local farmer’s market and having them delivered to your doorstep in one package? This is what Co-op delivery does. The best part for the customer is that they can order fresh fruits or vegetables any time of year through these services without worrying about their food going bad before it arrives on their doorsteps! This is what Co-op delivery does.

Zero Contact Temperature Checks

To keep sick customers out of their restaurant, the cafe hosts are scanning every customer for fever with a contactless infrared thermometer. Contactless, non-contact technology scans the surface area without touching or making physical contact with skin and converts it into temperature readings on the large LCD screen within one second. The entire process is quick enough that guests won’t even notice they’re being scanned at all! No wonder restaurant owners are adopting this food service industry trend positively.

Eat More Sustainably In The 21st Century: A How-To Guide

Today’s consumers go beyond the supermarket shelf to learn more about how their food is produced as we become a more food-savvy culture. The reason is quite simple.

What you put on your plate has the potential to have the greatest effect on your own environmental footprint. Consciously or unconsciously, you make decisions three times a day about how to quiet your grumbling stomach and feed your body—decisions that may affect Mother Earth. 

Plant foods are produced in the modern agricultural system using synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and fossil fuels damage soils and encourage monocultures. These plants are given to animals, often concentrated on farms where the animals have short, unhappy lives. Their manures are concentrated, polluting soils, rivers, and the atmosphere. 

Also, food often travels great distances to reach our plates, and we squander about 40% of the food we produce! So, how are we going to change everything? Well, the change will need to start with you! 

What Do We Mean By Sustainable Food Solutions? 

There are various ways to describe food sustainability. However, it may be included in the broader definition of “sustainability,” which is defined as “the ability for everyone to live well within the Earth’s natural limitations.” Although this is a simple description, attaining it is one of humanity’s biggest problems in the twenty-first century. 

How can we guarantee that everyone gets enough safe and cheap food to support human health and illness prevention? Simultaneously, how can we maintain the health of our planet’s ecosystems, which supply the essential resources we all rely on? Let’s take a look at 10 ideas for eating sustainably for both your personal health and the health of our world.

10 Tips For Eating Sustainably 

1. Consume as many fruit & vegetables as possible.

Fruits and vegetables are healthy and have a minimal environmental effect in most cases. There are some exceptions; however certain foods take many resources to transport and keep fresh, so eating them less often may help us eat more sustainably. You should avoid – 

Consume as many fruit & vegetables as possible - sustainable food solutions - Topping Solutions
  • fruits and vegetables that are perishable or need refrigeration (salads & berries)
  • veggies cultivated in a controlled environment (such as hot-house tomatoes or cucumbers)
  • foods that need huge resources to transport (green beans, mange-touts, or berries imported from the southern hemisphere)

2. When in season, eat locally.

Try to include seasonal vegetables from your local farm store into your diet. You may get to know local farmers, learn how to cook seasonal meals and support your local economy.

Foods that travel great distances are usually not viable. The environmental effect is significant when you buy fruits in the winter from faraway places that are brought in by air. However, bear in mind that certain locations, even though they are a little farther away, are more effective at growing things. For example, the climate in California may make certain food more sustainable than produced in a heated greenhouse.

3. There is no need to waste anything.

Did you know that a third of the food produced on the planet is thrown away?

Food production consumes a lot of energy, water, fertilizer, land, and fuel. When food is thrown out, it contributes to pollution of the land, water, and air. That’s a lot of resources to spend on something that will wind up in a landfill!

Tips for minimizing food waste at home: 

  1. Make a weekly food plan and use it to make your shopping list.
  2. Keep a calendar or a notebook handy to keep track of the dates you prepare meals.
  3. Turn leftovers into a fresh and delicious meal by adding sauces, vinegar, or spices.
  4. Make a stir-fry, a casserole, a salad, or a soup using leftover veggies.
  5. Make French toast, croutons, or breadcrumbs out of old bread.
  6. Food that has been left over should be frozen before it spoils. It will be a lifesaver on hectic days!
  7. Make use of all of the vegetable’s parts. Carrot and celery trimmings, for example, may be preserved to create vegetable stock. Also, broccoli stems can be shredded to produce broccoli “rice.”

4. Eat, Think, Meat. 

Keep in mind where your meat comes from when purchasing it; choose meat from ethical suppliers. Is there a farmer or butcher in your area that does this? If you talk to them, you may learn a thing or two! Don’t always stick to the same, well-known cuts of meat. Try cow shin, which becomes very soft when simmered, or lamb chuck, ideal for a stew.

Red meat is already recommended as a condiment rather than a major meal. Meat production, particularly beef production, contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. The environmental burden grows since animals need more food, water, land, and energy to raise and transport than plants. Non-meat proteins such as nuts and legumes should be considered while eating for our personal health and the world’s health.

5. Choose seafood responsibly. 

Approximately 94% of fish populations are either overfished (34%) or fished to their maximum sustainable yield (60%), and aquaculture has its own set of problems. However, when seafood is appropriately produced, it may benefit people, the environment, and the climate. Try various species from well-managed sources, eat lower on the food chain, and choose seafood with a reduced carbon footprint.

6. Limit the visit to grocery stores. 

Reduce the number of times you go grocery shopping. According to studies, the distance travelled to purchase groceries has a significant effect on the overall number of kilometres meals travel to reach your plate. So, to make the most of your location, consider reducing the number of visits you take and condensing your food transport journeys. For example, if you’re going to the farmers market, make all of your food-related visits there for the week. 

7. Eat slowly & deliberately.

Mindful eating is one of the easiest ways to eat more sustainably. Concentrating on your food enables you to consider where it comes from and how it is feeding your body. Additionally, by paying attention to your hunger signals, you may discover that you don’t need as much food as you previously consumed. We may change our food intake and decrease food waste by paying more attention to eating and thinking about the “larger picture”.

8. Consume dairy products only in moderation.

While milk and dairy products have a significant environmental effect, dairy products are a good source of protein, calcium, and essential amino acids and have a lower risk of metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, stroke, bowel cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

  • Daily use of low-fat, unsweetened dairy products is recommended, but only in moderation.
  • High-fat cheeses should only be consumed on rare occasions.
  • Choose plant-based beverages fortified with vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, if you want to avoid dairy altogether.

9. Don’t stress about organic. 

Organic food is, by definition, more costly than its conventional equivalents. Organic farmers must pass a series of time-consuming and expensive inspections to be certified. This questions, are organics really sustainable? 

Well, it’s a little complicated, and there are many arguments for and against organic farming. The majority of studies so far have shown that organic and conventional farms have about the same environmental effect. Organic agriculture may worsen the environment since it requires more space and is less effective at producing crops. If you want to learn more, I recommend watching this Kurzgesagt video.

So, don’t worry if you can’t afford organic produce. It’s equally as sustainable to eat locally grown seasonal veggies.

10. Grow, Grow, Grow Your Own!

If you want to start producing your own fruit and/or vegetables, you can, regardless of where you live. Hardy herbs that don’t need much care, just a little water here and there, thrive in window boxes. Basil, rosemary, mint, and thyme are all wonderful herbs that may be grown in your own house. Simple!

You may also save money by making your own food since you are not paying for manufacturing and packing. There are no food miles, no packaging, no fossil fuels, just the pleasure of spending time in the dirt with live, breathing plants in the sun. What could possibly be better than that?

Tell Us About You! 

Now that you’ve got some ideas on how to eat more sustainably, put them to work! What modest adjustments can you make to improve your body’s and the planet’s health? We’d love to hear from you!

10 (Delicious) Food Trends You Need To Know In Late 2021

Usually, it takes a long time to change food ingredient solutions purchasing habits. However, that dynamic was shifted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the IFIC’s 2020 Food and Health Survey, eight out of ten Americans have changed their eating habits because of the COVID-19 epidemic. Six out of ten customers say they are cooking more at home, which is the single most significant shift in behaviour. It bodes well for sauce, dressing, and condiment manufacturers.

When it comes to food trends, it’s already difficult to predict what will come next because of its ever-changing nature. Moreover, In 2021, Covid-19 limitations continue to influence how individuals consume food, shop for groceries, dine out, and engage with quick-service restaurants. That’s why it becomes more difficult! 

Topping Solutions’ Predictions for Food Trends in 2021 

In this blog post, Topping Solutions market specialists have predicted 10 trends that will influence the global food sector in 2021. We have compiled and evaluated a comprehensive list of food trend forecasts from leading industry sources, which we’ve summarized for you below. We put all of the main food industry trend forecasts in one spot.

So, what can we expect in 2021? Topping Solutions top 10 food trend forecasts for 2021 are as follows:

1. Mental Health Cooking

Food and nutrition have an important influence on general mental and cognitive well-being. And, after a long and challenging 2020, mental health is more essential than ever. There’s no disputing that a lack of crucial minerals in your body may have long-term consequences. This is why, in 2021, eating for your mind and body will be a growing culinary trend. Some amazing nutrients and superfoods may help you improve your mood, relieve anxiety, fight depression, and support your mental health.

2. On-Demand Consumption

A rise in omnichannel consumption is one of the most noticeable developments in reaction to the epidemic. Consumers today have more options than ever before in terms of eating what they want when they want it, and where they want it. Home cooking has been transformed by convenient meal options and restaurant-branded goods. It’s not only about finding familiar tastes in meals; it’s also about discovering restaurant flavours in snack items like potato chips. Convenience, better experiences, and readily available indulgence are now more essential than ever for food producers.

3. Celebrating Culture Through Food

Every year, a new worldwide emphasis on particular regional tastes emerges. Due to the limited travel opportunities in 2020, many nations celebrated their history via cuisine. For example, in the United States, we’ve seen a rise in African American food and companies as people become more interested in these flavours, and we anticipate this trend to continue and spread in 2021. Following the worldwide demand for Mexican tastes, we expect a rise in Latin American dishes and flavours such as chimichurri, horchata, and salsa macha.

In the Asia-Pacific, we’re witnessing a localized fusion of particular nation tastes incorporated into other countries’ cuisines, such as Mala, a Sichuan Chinese dish. The Chinese characters for “numbing” and “spicy” make up the word “mala.” Mala cuisine became famous in China and other Asian nations. Since it is now used in various Asian cuisines, it is now expanding across Asia in the form of snacks and instant noodles.

4. Specific Spices & Ingredients

We’ve anticipated spicy specificity as a trend in past years. This required going beyond “mild,” “medium,” and “hot” to add zing to meals and drinks with precision. Now, rather than simply garlic, the trend for particular spices and ingredients has extended to include front-of-pack claims for additional spices, alliums, fruits, and vegetables, such as black garlic. Consumers need distinctiveness, which links into the broader trend for openness throughout the supply chain.

Consumers are becoming more interested in their purchasing habits and the stories behind the goods they buy. This narrative may contain a variation on classic tastes, a knowledge of the cooking methods that enhance the depth of flavour, or a story based around product transparency. 

5. Breakfast Buffet

Breakfast Buffet - specialty food ingredients - Topping Solutions

In 2020, did your breakfast nook become busier? You’re not alone; 80% of Americans had their morning routine interrupted by the epidemic. With less time spent travelling to work and school, more time is available for the most important meal of the day, and food producers are responding. For example, casserole Bites and Pancake Mix are more convenient morning meals filled with beneficial nutrients like protein and fibre. Expect well-known companies to step up their breakfast game with enticing deals.

6. It’s Getting Easier to Stay Healthy

Americans want to eat better, and in 2021, it will become much simpler (and cheaper). We’re searching for nutrient-dense food at a reasonable price. Still, we’re also concerned about a company’s environmental and ethical principles. Food producers have a difficult task but expect them to rise to the occasion. Subscription-based e-grocers like Thrive Market are making nutritious food cheaper. 

7. Food Waste Is A Constant Battle

Cooking with leftovers has become increasingly popular in recent years. With more families and people cooking at home, many more are becoming aware of food waste’s moral and economic consequences. Restaurants and hotels are also part of the initiative. Hundreds of them donate surplus food to food banks during the Coronavirus outbreak.

8. “Flexitarian” Diets

Because not everyone is ready or willing to convert to an entirely plant-based diet, the concept of “flexitarian” eating is gaining popularity. Being a flexitarian is a simple concept: Meat becomes a once-in-a-while or only-on-weekends treat rather than a regular ingredient of your diet. Even a tiny reduction in meat consumption has been proven to benefit the environment and our overall health, making this one of the most important food trends for 2021.

9. Mix-&-Match Products

Everyone understands that in the food and beverage business, innovation is a must. We’ve set our eyes on product mash-ups for 2021. Why? Research shows that three out of five customers are interested in experiencing new sensory experiences (e.g., smells, tastes, textures, colours, feelings. The younger generations lead the charge. Consider ice cream pizzas and coffee-flavoured cereals. However, finding the appropriate industry partner from the beginning of product development is critical to getting it right in terms of flavour.

10. A Modern Twist on Classics

Classic tastes and comfort meals have been popular, but now that people are cooking at home for longer periods, they want to spice things up and try new things. This includes using non-traditional ingredients in their favourite comfort meals and using specialist cooking methods to add depth to the tastes, such as roasting, toasting, caramelizing, and smoking. We also anticipate a rise in customers experimenting with plant-based proteins and vegetarian diets, whether via groceries or meal packages. 

Keep Exploring…

In 2021, customers will continue to depend on food, beverages, and health goods to satisfy various requirements, including emotional comfort, health support, and even the desire to travel when trapped at home. This is a chance for product makers and taste suppliers to thrill, soothe, and perhaps attract a new generation of customers who will stay loyal long after the pandemic’s limitations are lifted.

We believe that the other half of the year 2021 will be the start of a taste renaissance. With the introduction of the vaccination, there is optimism that social activities, including eating out, may continue safely. There has never been a better time to experiment with taste!

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