TREND BITES:

Citrus

February 9, 2024

Whether your February is full of snow and fog or sunshine and blue skies, your menu needs a fresh, colorful touch of citrus to bring your dishes to the next level. There are a few key reasons why citrus is popular right now, and Prepared Foods states them simply: "The demand for new, exciting flavor combinations combined with vibrant colors has resulted in a boost for citrus." So, what if you combine those in-demand flavors and colors with other trends like immunity-boosting meals or global cuisines? Surefire menu success.

Trendy in 2024

Bright colors are having a huge moment in 2024, and nothing compares to the natural hues of citrus. ADM's 2024 Flavor and Color Outlook explains that "shock and awe" is responsible for viral social media trends, and restaurants can give customers the "vibrant sensorial experiences" they want by ramping up the bold colors in their meals. Desire for bright colors goes beyond taking appealing Instagram photos. Today's consumers care more about the vibe in the moment than about what they can post online later, likely due to our appreciation for in-person experiences in a post-pandemic world.

We can also thank Covid-19 for another reason citrus is popular right now: immunity-boosting ingredients are still sought-after. Citrus is associated with vitamin C, which is always popular during winter flu season, and adding citrus can make any dish seem healthier.

Try these applications!

Citrus Tender Tacos

Hot Honey Orange Ginger Wings

Citrus Chicken Bowl

Seasonality

Citrus has the unique power of bringing bright yellows and oranges and sweet, tart flavor into dreary winter months. It's perfect for lighter options like salads and wraps during a season full of soups and stews. Customers who are trying to get in shape before summer will love this Citrus Chicken Bowl, and game-day crowds will devour Hot Honey Orange Ginger Wings and Citrus Tender Tacos. Serve with citrus slices for an added boost of color, fragrance, and freshness!

Global Citrus

We always love using oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit in dishes, but what about swapping in yuzu, blood orange, or sudachi? In Wixon's 2023 Flavor Forecast, they featured the benefits of "International Fruits," saying, "The new flavors, textures, and vibrant colors of these fruits provide people with a sense of escapism and adventure without the cost of travel." We suggest starting by swapping lime with sudachi, a tart citrus fruit from Japan, or serving this Citrus Chicken Bowl, which uses sliced blood orange.

Sauce and Garnish

An easy way to add citrus to any dish is with sauces and garnishes! Use sauce to bring tangy flavor to wings, salads, tenders, and tacos, and then finish off your dishes with slices of juicy citrus. Or, for an even more on-trend touch, slightly char the citrus before adding it as a garnish. According to Datassential's January 2024 Flavor Trends, charred lemon is gaining traction. Try it out with this Lemon Garlic Parmesan Boneless Wings recipe!