Exotic New Foods and Spices Take Over Our Diets

Diet trends at global and national level are changing and out of the multitude of emerging new trends, here are two of the most popular and their underlying principles. One important thing that we have to understand is that when we say "diet trends" in this context, we're not talking about a specific type of diet that's popular at a particular moment in time, but rather about a type of mentality with regard to healthy eating that becomes popular as a result of scientific research and documented case studies. The "exotic" trend is such an example of mentalities reflected in healthy preferences with regard to food, and you will undoubtedly find it interesting.

The exotic trend has to do with the fact that all over the globe, more and more people are losing their initial reluctance when it comes to using exotic spices and integrating foreign dishes and recipes into their day to day eating routines, spicing them up (literally) for added taste and variety. In other words, we're looking across our regional or national borders for additions to what we normally deem healthy ingredients or types of foods.

This is true for home and restaurant cooking alike and it is a trend that has already become extremely visible in America. "Thanks to the convergence of America's growing immigrant population, interest in culinary adventure, changing palates, and the availability of diverse ingredients, the food industry can meet health challenges with full-flavored cuisines", states Greg Drescher, senior director of strategic initiatives at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y.

Among the ingredients Drescher expects home and restaurant cooks to use more are pomegranates, pistachios and peaches, exotic grains such as quinoa, millet, and bulgur, bread alternatives like rice paper, tortillas and pita bread, as well as spices with a Middle Eastern twist, like cardamom and zatar.