A Look at Current Popular “Superfoods” and “Superfruits”

Every few years a new trend pops up involving a “superfood” that, when eaten, supposedly provides numerous health benefits. Some of the so-called “superfoods” have been ridiculous and even somewhat gross. There have been a few that were genuinely tasty. What are the newest trends? Are any of the current superfoods worth having at a catering Toronto event?

The buzzword right now is “clean foods”, and the fewer the ingredients, the more trendy the food is going to become. For a while quinoa was the must-have superfood, but now, there is an interest in ancient grains that goes beyond it.

Here is a list of some of the current clean foods that any Toronto caterer should consider offering at events:

Amaranth

Food trend experts consider amaranth to be the “new quinoa”. It’s a grain-like seed that contains all of the essential amino acids, as well as lysine and fiber.  Its nutty texture and flavour makes amaranth ideal as a snack. It can also be used as a thickener for soup, sauce, stews, etc. A single cup of this raw seed contains 15 milligrams of iron, while white rice only contains 1.5.

Lucuma

This superfruit from South America is used as a sweetener. It’s a source of vitamin B3, iron, beta-carotene, zinc, and other nutrients. Many people use it as a healthy alternative to sugar. Lucuma fruit powder can be added to just about any type of beverage, yogurt, smoothie, pudding, etc.

Healthy yogurt

 While yogurt has always been popular, certain flavours come and go. A few years ago, it was all about probiotic yogurt, followed by Greek. Today, Icelandic yogurt is highly trendy. Popular brands include Skyr, Siggi’s, and Smari. A single cup of Smari contains up to 20g of protein, which is more than any other type of yogurt sold in North America.

Other yogurt trends to look out for include recipes with beets, squash, or carrots.

Sacha inchi – SaviSeed

Sometimes referred to as the Incan peanut, Sach inchi is a seed of a plant that grows in the Peruvian highlands. SaviSeed is a nut-like snack food that contains protein, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids.  This superfood is particularly tasty when salted and roasted. There is also sacha inchi oil on the market, which is a great source of vitamin E.

Baobab

Another popular superfruit these days is Baobab. The pulp naturally dehydrates in the shell of the plant. When dried, the pulp is edible. It’s an excellent source of calcium, potassium, and vitamin C. You can eat it by itself or stirred into foods like smoothies, oatmeal, or yogurt.

Maple water

Healthy eating foodies have been raving about the health-boosting properties of maple water, the purest form of sap that runs through the maple trees. The question of whether or not it really is a “miracle” substance that provides all manner of health benefits is still up for debate. The important thing is that maple water is very tasty. It makes a natural, sweet drink that you don’t want to miss out on.These are some of the popular superfoods on the market right now. Any one of these will be a great addition to any catering Toronto event.