Tillamook County Creamery Association (TCCA) and its cadre of dairy experts have unveiled their projections for the dairy landscape in 2024, marking the cooperative’s inaugural dairy trends round-up. The report from Tillamook is called “Predict the Yum”.
Here are the top five dairy trends fr om Tillamook’s “Predict the Yum” Trends Taskforce:
Trend #1: The Cheddar Plunge
We’ve all heard of the cold plunge, but the next trend in dairy will be the cheddar plunge. With shoppers relying more and more on grocery delivery, people are buying one type of cheese and serving it up in a variety of different ways. Soaking a sharp cheddar in wine, shrub, or ale completely changes the cheese experience, bringing an unexpected flavor that no one should be missing out on.
Trend #2: Cheese, Spice and Everything Nice
Move over cheeseboard staples. Spices are wh ere it’s at when it comes to exploring new cheese pairings. Think bold, spicy flavors with a global influence to make amazing cheddar all the better. People are looking for ingredients that can transport them from the ordinary flavors of everyday to replicate an exotic flavor experience typically found abroad. According to Google Trends, these craveworthy flavors are searched for most in New York and California.
Trend #3: Amaro, Amazing
Like many of us, cheese loves an amazing beverage. Enter amaro. Amaro has grown +21% in social discussions over the past year1 and according to our experts, cheese + amaro = pairing perfection! Amaro, the name for a wide variety of herb-infused Italian liqueurs, is typically served at the end of a meal as a digestif. Since a multicourse feast is often finished with a cheese course, cheese and amaro make a natural end-of-meal combination.
Trend #4: Burgers, Burgers and More Burgers
According to burgerweb.com and NPR3, as of 2015, Americans consumed roughly 50 billion burgers a year in every size, shape and flavor combination imaginable. The number one topping for burgers is cheese, of course! In fact, “smash burgers” have grown 69% in social discussions over the past year! Additionally, burgers made with unique and specialty ingredients are trending in terms of menu mentions. Diners are paying about $2.00 more for these “elevated” burgers compared to “traditional” burgers.4
Trend #5: Air Fryers Stay Hot
Air fryers are not just blowing hot air, they have surpassed trend status and are here to stay. And, for good reason. They align with today’s lifestyles: convenience, household size, energy efficiency, and versatility. With nearly 60% of U.S. households owning an air fryer5, consumers are looking for fun, new ways to elevate classic recipes using a favorite appliance. Hello, air fryer grilled cheese, air fryer jalapeno poppers or air fryer nachos!
Katie Petri, Director of Consumer & Market Insights at TCCA and a member of the Tillamook “Predict the Yum” Trends Taskforce, expressed the enjoyable experience of taking a step back from their routine work. She reflected on contemplating how regional trends in the Pacific Northwest and the broader industry might influence dining establishments, households, and charcuterie boards across the nation.
The TCCA experts involved in the “Predict the Yum” trends round-up boast over 50 combined years of expertise in the food industry. Their diverse backgrounds span culinary development, product excellence, and extensive experience in research and consumer insights.
