UK Edition
The new summer food trends – from edible flowers to the bunless BBQ
Summer is officially here and that means we all have weeks of alfresco dining and BBQ smoke staining your clothes ahead of us. But what will you be serving your friends and family this year?
To keep you ahead of all the latest trends guaranteed to make a splash on social media, social media site Pinterest have revealed its Summer Entertaining Report, offering its projections for the season and helping to give you all the ideas you need to make your barbecue or picnic memorable this year.
Decorative ice
Long gone are the days when ice was added to drinks to keep it cool. Nowadays, ice can serve as a way of livening up your glass simply by adding some fruits or herbs to your ice tray.
If fruits and herbs aren't your thing, consider adding some food colouring to your trays to create a multi-coloured, Instagram perfect display in your glass.
For those with small children, the same can also be done with homemade ice lollies.
According to Pinterest, photographs of decorative ice are up 82 per cent across the site.
Edible flowers
Up 31 per cent this year are edible flowers. According to the experts at Pinterest they're key to making "your guests feel extra special" this summer.
And, if that fails, at least you can guarantee your dishes will make both a tasty and eye-catching centrepiece on your table.
No more buns
The reign of the brioche bun is finally over, with bunless BBQ's seeing an increase of 52 per cent on the site this year.
These days your favourite meats at being served straight from the grill and into a bowl. This often works out easier for the chef and it's healthier for the guests (your gluten-free friends will thank you for it too).
Farewell BBQ sauce
There was once a time where BBQ sauce reigned supreme at garden parties all over the country, but not anymore. Pinterest has seen a 55 per cent increase in sauces with Middle Eastern flavours and claims Harissa and tzatziki are the new staple barbecue condiments this year.
Harissa is a hot chilli pepper paste made from red, Baklouti and serrano peppers and a variety of spices and herbs including coriander seed, saffron and caraway. It is most commonly found used in Tunisia, Libya, Algeria and Morocco.
Tzatziki is made using salted strained or diluted yogurt mixed with cucumbers, garlic, salt and olive oil and is usually served with grilled meat or as a dip.
Smoked everything
And we mean everything.
According to Pinterest, people are "smoking everything from mac and cheese to onion rings and cocktails" and the site has seen a 170 per cent increase of smoked food posts.
Upcycled fruit
The upcycling trend makes its way to the kitchen with Pinterest reporting a 37 per cent increase in upcycled fruit posts.
If you've got some watermelon destined for the bin, consider getting creative with it and turning it into a healthy smoothie bowl or even a fruity cocktail.