Dive Brief:
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Even though they've been around for thousands of years, rice and corn are receiving renewed attention through new and emerging culinary trends, according to a research report from Packaged Facts.
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The report notes that low-carb diets haven't made a dent in the popularity of well-known grains such as rice and corn. Research finds that, compared to five years ago, 58% of consumers eat the same amount of grain today, while 22% eat more. Also, 85% said dietary reasons don't keep them from consuming any type of grain.
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"There's a rising foodie fascination with traditional grains and grain food methods," David Sprinkle, research director for Packaged Facts, said in a release. "For instance, the corn renaissance is playing out perhaps most obviously with multicultural foods such as chilaquiles & migas, more broadly with tacos as street food gone sacred, and even as taco-style toppings and tortilla chips are spiked into breakfast bowls."
Dive Insight:
Health-conscious consumers are increasingly interested in different types of grains to add variety to their diet, ramp up protein levels and avoid gluten in wheat, rye and barley. As a result, corn, millet, rice, sorghum — plus so-called "pseudocereals" such as quinoa, amaranth and buckwheat — are showing up more often in grocery stores and on restaurant menus.
Rice and corn, which have been selectively bred in modern times, aren't generally considered "ancient grains," yet they're being repositioned as "new" ancient grains as consumers become more interested in their adaptability to on-trend dishes. Specialty rice varieties — black, red, purple, bamboo and others — lend texture and flavor to meals, while regional corn dishes — elote (Mexican grilled corn), grits, corn nuts and many more — can bring an exotic flair to the table.
Corn, wheat and rice — in that order — are the most commonly grown staple food crops in the world, according to 2017-2018 data from Statista. All three appear in a large number of foods, and different corn and rice varieties are being included in order to boost health profiles of Mexican, Asian and Caribbean cuisine. They also play into the clean-label trend as consumers look for simpler and more natural ingredients they can recognize.
Corn and rice producers will undoubtedly welcome this new take on the old standbys and look for other ways to incorporate their products into trendy dishes and retail food items. Some major manufacturers have already taken this route by introducing ancient grains into their products. In 2014, Kellogg debuted seven cereals featuring oats, barley, spelt and amaranth, while General Mills launched a new Cheerios lineup including quinoa, kamut wheat and spelt.
Consumers generally view ancient grains as more wholesome and providing more fiber, protein and nutrients than processed ingredients, so label claims that promote them will likely become more common. According to GlobalData's 2015 global consumer survey, 51% of U.S. consumers believe ancient grains have a beneficial effect on their health. And, GlobalData reported, product launches using the words "ancient grains," "chia," or "quinoa" jumped to 8.8% last year from 5.9% in 2016.