For the second year, respondents ranked “Easy (Under 30 Minutes) Meals” as their top curiosity for the year ahead, once again underscoring that even the most food-forward consumers are craving approachable, simple meal inspiration.

The trend toward global culinary exploration is driven by younger generations. Among those participating in our annual surveys, Millennials and Generation Z globally are somewhat more likely to express interest in more unusual, adventurous and exotic flavors.

In advance of 2024, Frito-Lay and Quaker are unveiling three food and snacking trends poised to shape the year ahead.

A majority of trendsetting food consumers are most interested in discovering recipes that can be prepped in less than 30 minutes. And it’s not just quick and easy meals they crave. Global flavors are driving the next food trends. These are among the findings in the “Consumer Curiosity Report,” a national survey of more than 700 food-forward consumers to gauge curiosity on culinary, nutrition and sustainability topics.

Consumers of all ages are most willing to try ethnic cuisines in their home cooking, at restaurants, and when traveling. They name Asian, European, and Latin American flavors as the most influential and Asian as the most familiar and inspirational. Preferences for specific ethnic cuisines, however, vary somewhat based on food and beverage category.

Healthy aging could be defined as staying active and in good health—both physically and mentally—while getting older. Overall, three-quarters of consumers we survey report that healthy aging is “very” or “extremely important” to them. 

Key industry players are focusing on reducing food waste by about 50% through the adoption of several methods to extend the shelf-life of food. Top companies are paying strict regulations on food waste. FDA supports the food industry regarding food safety, packaged foods, and clean labeling. In the coming period, food manufacturers are likely to develop smart technology that may reduce the wastage of food items.

A staggering 48% of all households surveyed reported engaging in at least one source of tech-enabled income generation in 2022, led by content creation, peer-to-peer commerce, and rideshare driving. This trend is driven by Gen Z- and Millennial-led households, where 60% of  respondents said they derived such income in the last year.

Expect immunity to be a long-term topic and trend, as people of all ages are mindful of shoring up physical and mental health.

For more than a century, T. Hasegawa has made “Life Taste Better” through custom flavors and fragrances developed for the world’s top food and beverage brands.