Hot sauces to the return of ghee: Interesting food trends from 2024 on the rise

Every year there are so many different kinds of food trends that take over the kitchen and the internet and 2024 was no different The dining table continued to evolve into a space of discovery experimentation and comfort in 2024 and that saw a lot of new but also the old getting its due againThe Godrej Food Trends Report curated by over 190 thought leaders and industry insiders has showcased interesting insights from the rise of spice to the return of ghee that unfolded plate by plate across Indian homes restaurants and barsHere is a flavourforward recap of five key trends from GFTR 2024 that hit homeHot sauces took over palatesIndiarsquos growing appetite for all things spicy reached a new high in 2024 With the rise of urban youth seeking bolder flavour profiles and global influences hot sauces did not just stay on restaurant tablesmdashthey entered home kitchens snack aisles and even fine dining menus There were quite a few hot sauce brands that launched while introducing India to flavourforward heat with regional and international flair From Coorgi chilli oil drizzles to ghost pepper chutneys spice became an everyday cravingKfood went mainstreamNo longer a niche or novelty Korean food went fully mainstream in 2024 Riding the cultural wave of Kpop and Kdramas Korean cuisine found a permanent home in Indian kitchens and menus Major FMCG and QSR brands caught on fast introducing Koreanstyle ramen cups and hotpot inspired readytocook meals and a special Koreaninspired menu with burgers fries and seasoning blends Meanwhile the number of Korean specialty restaurantsmdashfrom Soo Ra Sang in Bengaluru to Heng Bok in Mumbaimdashcontinued to grow offering diners an authentic taste of Seoul With gochujang glazes and kimchi sides becoming the new normal the Kwave on our plates shows no signs of slowingStorybased content drove conversationsIn 2024 food conversations became richer deeper and more personal Storytelling emerged as the most successful content format to cut through the digital noise replacing clickbait with culture and connection Leading the way was Chef Ranveer Brar whose poignant food memories and familyrooted recipes sparked a movement across platforms The storybased format did not stop there celebrities joined in opening up about the dishes they grew up eating A standout example was Jackie lsquoDadarsquo charming the internet with his favourite poha recipe insisting on onions chopped in the beloved lsquochaukandirsquo style Audiences did not just watch they responded recreated and stitched their own food storiesThe return of gheeGhee came back with full force in 2024 embraced not just by grandmothers but millennials too Once sidelined by calorie counts it was celebrated for its Ayurvedic roots digestive benefits and flavour richness Homegrown Indian brands made ghee a preferred choice not just in Indian cooking but also in baking and fusion recipes and heritage players offered rich granular ghee with the perfect aroma for sweets and cookingmdashbringing back trust to the ingredient that once ruled every Indian kitchenProtein remained a power playerProtein continued to dominate food conversations not just in the fitness community but across the broader consumer base Quinoa Khichdi SoyaMillet pulao and lsquoFit Thalisrsquo the need for satiating nutrientdense foods kept protein in the spotlight across QSR platforms Dairy and poultry remained at the top of the charts for home cooks thanks to familiarity and functional benefits With more Indians becoming label readers and healthaware brands responded with proteinrich innovation that combined function with flavourRushina Munshaw Ghildiyal curating editor of the Godrej Food Trends Report and managing director Perfect Bite Consulting states The past year reminded us that Indiarsquos foodscape is a beautiful balance of memory and momentum We witnessed traditional staples like ghee and poultry rise alongside global flavours like Korean spice What is clear is that the Indian consumer is curious conscious and hungry for innovation As we prepare for the launch of the Godrej Food Trends Report 2025 we look forward to spotlighting the voices and stories that will shape Indiarsquos next food waveatOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params