In London, a variety of trendy food and drink items like Dubai chocolate, matcha lattes, dirty sodas, tanghulu skewers, and protein coffees have gained popularity on social media and are now prominently featured on cafe menus across the city. Boshra Alkos, involved in creating social media content for Viola Gourmet and Cortoba Cafe in southwest London, highlighted the influence of online trends on consumer choices.
Viola Gourmet and Cortoba Cafe, initially a middle eastern nuts and sweets store established in 2018, transformed into a cafe earlier this year, incorporating popular treats like Dubai chocolate and matcha into their menu. Alkos emphasized the various Dubai chocolate offerings at the cafe, such as chocolate bars, cups, crepes, and milkshakes made with chocolate, pistachio paste, and knafeh pastry.
Local establishments, including Super Crunch Tanghulu at CF Masonville Place, have also embraced viral food trends, attracting crowds of curious customers eager to try these new delicacies. Tanghulu, originally a street snack from northern China, consists of fresh fruit skewers coated in a crispy sugar glaze, a hit among high school and post-secondary students.
According to Jamie Hyodo, an assistant professor at Western University specializing in consumer behavior, food fads have a long history worldwide. Hyodo noted that while some trends endure and become staples, others fade away quickly, posing a risk for businesses built solely on fleeting trends. He emphasized the importance of offering value to consumers through healthier or tastier alternatives rather than relying on temporary shock value.
Winter Slade of Super Crunch Tanghulu expressed confidence in the lasting appeal of tanghulu, citing its health-conscious appeal amid a sea of processed mall food. Despite the transient nature of food trends, both Alkos and Slade remain optimistic about the future of their businesses, anticipating new trends to capture the attention of Londoners while still catering to loyal customers’ preferences.
