Google Releases The Top Five Food Trends In America That Can Add To A Brand’s Bottom Line

Google is giving brands a look into the minds of consumers across the country. An article in Adweek highlights the company’s report that details the most-searched foods and lists the top five trending meals in consumer kitchens right now. The results are based on the volume of searches related to food every month between January 2014 and January 2016.

Topping the food trend list is pho, the Vietnamese broth and noodle dish. It’s trailed by pork shoulder and then mug cake, which is essentially an individual, snack-sized cake that’s made in a mug. Turmeric, a ginger-related plant, and pasta round out the top five.

“Americans are taking traditional dishes and giving them a new spin, whether it’s with a new flavor or a new method of preparation,” said Google. “They’re looking to experiment with a familiar meat, and master a new skill.”

Google’s list of trending foods gives brands the opportunity to track consumer preferences based on location and time. For example, the report says that people are more interested in pho on the weekends, especially in Denver, Colorado and Seattle, Washington. Pork shoulder, on the other hand, is more popular in the Midwest. That kind of data helps brands determine when and where to offer certain meals and limited time offers. It also tells brands which trends, like health and nutrition, are big for consumers when dining out.

“While they may be more aware of the added benefits that certain ingredients are said to provide, they are going online to educate themselves on how to consume these functional ingredients,” Google said. “This behavior is more likely to occur during the beginning of the week, when consumers are perhaps most motivated to reboot and optimize their lifestyle habits.”