Is Kosher the Next Big Food Trend?

Vegetarianism, veganism, kale, avocado everything, smoothies to add an additional health kick to your diet. All of these are food trends, some of which have developed from dietary requirements that have been popular in the last half decade or so. This has become the case for the classic Jewish-followed diet that follows kosher guidelines.

As food trends go, this has been predicted to rise again in 2016 and further in 2017. But, why has this interest in kosher food continued to take hold? What does this mean for the food industry moving forward?

Health Benefits

One of the major reasons for the rise in popularity of kosher certified food is the perceived health benefits. Often a food trend will arise out of the perception of consumers, not out of genuine dietary needs in most cases. This has been increasingly applied to kosher food, as more people have begun to realise the added health benefits that a diet comprising of kosher foods can offer them.

This demand is there because many vegetarians and vegans feel safer eating kosher food, knowing that there are no hidden meat by-products. More generally, people believe it is healthier because of the careful screening of ingredients that are required for kosher certification. A neutral (parve) kosher logo on the product’s packaging will indicate no hidden meat ingredients. Products such as fruit and vegetables are also carefully prepared. This particularly applies to produce with leaves such as lettuce and cabbage.

From a nutrient perspective, there is nothing to suggest that a kosher diet is more beneficial than any other. However, from a full disclosure of ingredients and complete peace of mind standpoint, it is the healthier option. Full transparency is the real health benefit of a kosher certified diet.

Culinary Ingenuity

Another reason for this sudden surge in popularity comes from the professional culinary sector. Chefs have been a contributing driving force behind this culinary trend, exploring new menus that help to celebrate their heritage and create a link to the past through flavour. This has been prevalent in cities with large Jewish communities – American metropolises such as New York – and is spreading across the Atlantic to the shores of the UK and Europe.

It is a cuisine which increasingly appeals to the younger generation who wish to discover the history of their food. The idea is of exploring heritage through food and forming a connection to the past that might not otherwise have existed.

The Future of Kosher

The future of this rising kosher diet will see the need for more products and companies to become kosher certified. With this growing food trend, producers need to keep up to date, gaining the necessary certification in order to benefit from this latest development in the dietary preferences of consumers. Those that do this will find that they benefit in the long run, as this seems to be a trend on the rise.

So, will we see Kosher as the next big food trend alongside the likes of ‘gluten-free’ in the long run? All of the evidence points to yes. As with all trends it will only become larger and stronger as time goes on.