When Instagram first launched, people associated the website with taking photos of one’s food with a filter over it. While the platform has evolved quite a bit since the early 2010s, what hasn’t changed is the platform’s love for food.
There have been many food trends that originated from Instagram. This post will examine some of them and analyze why they’re so popular.
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Dalgona Coffee
Dalgona coffee is a specialty drink that combines coffee with other ingredients to make a whipped texture. It’s similar to frappuccinos and other drinks that make coffee into a dessert. The name originates from a Korean sugar candy, as Dalgona coffee became popular in South Korea. However, Dalgona coffee originated in 1997 in Macau.
So while this coffee has been around for a while, it became trendy during the COVID-19 pandemic on Instagram for several reasons.
First, with many coffee shops closed then, people were craving specialty coffee beverages. Because of the hand-beaten nature of Dalgona coffee, the drink does not require you to buy any expensive equipment, either.
Finally, Dalgona coffee became popular because more people had time to cook at home, so they wanted to try new things. Rising costs are also a reason, as making your own drinks at home is much cheaper.
Mukbang
Mukbang is another popular Instagram food trend, especially for those who like to consume the platform’s longer-form videos.
Mukbang, which is Korean for “Eating broadcast,” originated in South Korea and quickly became popular internationally. This is where a person eats a large amount of food while talking. You were told not to speak while eating as a kid, but these mukbangers have made much money doing what they do.
Mukbang is popular because of ASMR, where people enjoy hearing people eat or talk softly. Another reason is that a mukbang video can feel like companionship. If someone feels lonely, a mukbang video may make them feel better, especially if they eat alone.
While mukbang videos were popular before the pandemic, they gained even more popularity during it. This is because people could not eat out with their friends and family members, and a mukbang video helped to fill the void a little.
Baked Feta Pasta
Baked feta pasta is a food trend that originated from TikTok. However, many people posted it on Instagram and other social media platforms.
If you want to make a meal that will get popular, pasta is a sure bet. Pasta is delicious, filling, and relatively easy to make. It’s also versatile, with there being so many ways for you to make it.
While the ingredients in this pasta dish can vary, it usually involves baked feta, tomatoes, al dente pasta, and herbs. The recipe is quite simple but flavorful. Because of that, baked feta pasta is a great way to impress during a family gathering or when you want to feel fancy without spending too much money. Try it and see why.
Charcuterie Boards
Another trend is the charcuterie board. For those who don’t know what they are, they are appetizers on top of a wooden slab. These appetizers include cured meats, cheeses, crackers, nuts, and other snacks.
There are several reasons why the charcuterie board is so popular. The first is that it’s aesthetically pleasing. The wooden slab gives the appetizer a rustic look, and the variety of foods often looks great together.
Another reason is that they are customizable. You don’t need to have the usuals on a board; you can have your own unique snack combinations.
If you create an aesthetically pleasing one, you may see much more growth on your account, from plenty of likes to even Instagram comment likes.
Healthy Foods
Healthy foods are also popular on Instagram. More and more people are mindful of what they eat, especially at the beginning of the year. People may look to eat healthier but don’t know where to turn. Often, healthy foods can be unexciting and bland.
However, posts on Instagram disprove this belief. You can often find healthy foods on the platform that look delicious and inspire others to eat healthier.
Butter Chicken
Another food that is quite popular on Instagram is butter chicken. As Indian food became more popular in the West, butter chicken became a trend in 2023. Its simplicity and flavor also made for a great entryway into the world of Indian food.
If you do not know butter chicken, it’s a curry dish with Delhi roots. It consists of a spiced tomato and butter sauce, creating a rich texture that will make most want to return for more.
Galaxy Desserts
While Instagram loves its healthy foods, old habits die hard with desserts. People love to see sugary creations on their feeds, especially aesthetically pleasing ones.
One example was the galaxy dessert trend a while back. These are videos and posts of making donuts, cupcakes, macarons, or other treats with the colors of a swirling galaxy full of stars. They look so beautiful you may take a second before you eat them up.
Candied Bacon Twists
Bacon has been an internet food trend for a long time. While it peaked in the 2010s, it still has some popularity. After all, most people love bacon and how versatile it can be. Bacon is also great if you’re eating a low-carb diet.
One combination people love about bacon is putting it with something sweet. One example of that is the candied bacon twist. This is when you twist bacon and add brown sugar and other sweet spices. When you eat one, your mouth is filled with flavor.
Final Thoughts
Instagram is showing no signs of slowing down regarding food trends. People will go to Instagram for the aesthetics of certain foods, or to have recipe ideas. No matter your intention, there’s no shortage of food photos, cooking videos, and other uploads about beating hunger.
As a content creator, you can follow the trends and make your own. Show everyone what your cooking skills can bring to the table.
