Whole Foods has unveiled its top food and beverage trends for 2025, focusing on sustainability, health, and nutrition. With more health-conscious consumers demanding innovative and eco-friendly options, the grocery giant predicts a rise in hydrating drinks, international snacks, protein-rich foods, and unique textures. The forecast emphasizes global flavors, plant-based ingredients, and a continued interest in protein-packed meals. Here’s a closer look at the ten major trends Whole Foods expects to dominate the shelves in 2025.
1. International Snacking Takes Center Stage
Consumers crave new and exciting flavors, and the snack aisle is leading the charge. Whole Foods reports that snacks infused with global flavors—think spicy popcorn or tortilla chips with a twist—will be big in 2025. Brands want to disrupt the traditional snack market by merging familiar treats with international tastes.
For example, PepsiCo’s acquisition of Siete Foods, known for its Mexican-inspired lentil chips, exemplifies how mainstream companies embrace global flavors. Expect more international snack foods on the shelves, tempting consumers to explore new culinary experiences with every bite.
2. The Versatile Dumpling
Dumplings are moving beyond their traditional forms, thanks to the growing popularity of fusion foods. Whole Foods points to dumplings as a versatile food that can quickly adapt to different flavors and cuisines, from Mexican to Asian.
These portable, easy-to-cook bites are popping everywhere, from frozen food sections to shelf-stable snack aisles. Dumplings offer convenience and creativity, making them a go-to option for consumers looking for something familiar and innovative.
3. Crunchy Textures Are on the Rise
Consumers are increasingly reaching for foods with added crunch. From crispy chickpeas to sprouted granola, crunchy textures are becoming necessary in snacks and meals. According to Whole Foods, this trend is broader than snacks.
People add crunchy elements like nuts, crispy oils, and dehydrated fruits to their breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for an enhanced sensory experience. Social media has driven this trend, with food enthusiasts sharing their favorite crunchy combinations.
3. Hydration Hype
Hydration is going beyond water. With a rise in portable water bottles and a heightened wellness awareness, consumers are looking for drinks that do more than quench thirst. In 2025, expect to see an array of hydrating, ready-to-drink beverages like electrolyte popsicles, sparkling coconut water, chlorophyll water, and protein-infused water.
Brands like Waterdrop, Electrolit, and BodyArmor are creating products that blend hydration benefits with added nutrients, making it easier to stay refreshed and nourished on the go.
4. Tea Time Revival
Tea is making a big comeback with new varieties and creative steeping techniques. According to the report, tea parties are poised to replace happy hour, offering a more functional and wellness-focused alternative to alcohol.
Adaptogenic teas—blends with added health benefits—are expected to gain popularity as consumers look for ways to relax and recharge. From traditional chai and Earl Grey to more experimental blends, tea is set to become a staple in many households.
5. Next-Level Compostable Packaging
Sustainability remains a key focus for consumers and brands in 2025, and compostable packaging is stepping up to meet this demand. Products like Compostic’s home-compostable packaging are gaining traction, allowing consumers to dispose of packaging in their backyard compost bins rather than relying on commercial facilities.
Even produce is getting an eco-friendly makeover, with companies like Rainer Fruit working on commercially compostable produce stickers. Compostable packaging will likely become a standard expectation as more brands prioritize sustainability.
6. Sustainable Sips
Sustainability is also making waves in the beverage industry. Natural and organic wines, beers, and spirits are adopting eco-friendly practices, such as drought-resistant crops and regenerative farming methods.
For example, the Sustainable Wine Roundtable is working to reduce bottle weights by 25% by 2026, reducing the carbon footprint associated with wine production. Meanwhile, beer and whiskey brands use fonio, a drought-resistant grain, and kernza, a regeneratively farmed crop, to create more sustainable beverages.
7. Sourdough Stays Strong
The sourdough trend that took off in 2020 is still going strong. This gut-healthy, fermented bread has evolved from homemade loaves to grocery staples in products like pizza crusts, flatbreads, crackers, and brownies.
Consumers love sourdough for its flavor and health benefits, and brands are responding with more ways to enjoy this fermented favorite without the time-consuming process of making it at home.
8. Plant-Based Aquatic Ingredients
Plant-based diets continue growing, and aquatic ingredients are the next frontier. Seaweed, sea moss, and other aquatic plants are gaining popularity as sustainable sources of protein and nutrients.
Sea moss is going viral on social media as a wellness superfood. Duckweed, also known as water lentils, is another emerging plant-based protein with higher protein content than many leafy greens. Additionally, agar-agar, a plant-based gelatin alternative derived from red algae, is being touted for its digestive health benefits.
9. Protein Power-Up
Consumers are more focused on protein than ever before and finding new ways to incorporate it into their meals. Beyond protein powders and bars, people are looking for whole-food protein sources, such as cottage cheese, which has grown in popularity.
Organ meats, such as liver and heart, are also gaining traction as consumers seek nutrient-dense options beyond traditional cuts of meat. With protein becoming a priority, expect to see more products designed to meet the growing demand for protein-rich foods.
Conclusion:
In summary, Whole Foods’ trends for 2025 reflect consumers’ evolving preferences for healthier, more sustainable, and more adventurous food choices. From international snacks to eco-friendly packaging, the trends emphasize convenience, nutrition, and global flavors. With an increasing focus on sustainability and wellness, these trends will shape how we eat and drink in the coming year.
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