December 3, 2024 Author: Mike Kostyo, Vice President – Menu Matters The trend cycle keeps marching on. Menus continue to evolve as consumers demand new options, their need states change, and chefs and operators focus on innovation. Each new generation brings new consumer cravings, impacting foods, flavors, dishes, cuisines, dayparts, segments, and beyond. From the evolution…
November 2024 As 2024 begins to wind down, we are found reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to what is on the horizon for 2025. It is also that time when many food and insights companies present their trend predictions for the upcoming year. We at Lentils.org enjoy doing a deep dive into…
Lentils.org partnered with Chef’s Roll, a global culinary community and media company, to capture some of the most innovative and inspiring lentil dishes on independent restaurant menus across the U.S. Looking to explore lentils beyond soup and stew? Chefs were challenged to lean into lentils used in entrée dishes, street food, and globally-inspired dishes that…
January 2024 Classic American dishes like burgers, fries, macaroni and cheese, and pizza are beloved because they are approachable, flexible, and delicious. The perennial appeal of these dishes makes them a perfect entry point to introduce new ingredients or trending global twists. When you add lentils to a dish, they act as a flavor sponge…
January 2024 Consumers want many things out of a dining experience, and one enduring desire is to enjoy flavor while satisfying hunger. Many 2024 food trend reports (including IFT Magazine, Datassential, Restaurant Business and Time) identified global mash-ups as a way that chefs can play in this proverbial sandbox — creating “newstalgia” by elevating familiar…
January 2024 Who doesn’t find comfort in a big bowl of warm soup or stew? Cozy, nourishing, and often nostalgic, soups and stews can be found in virtually any cuisine, and for good reason — they are incredibly versatile and easy on restaurant operations. Their appeal is on the rise, too, as world-stage soups and…
January 2024 As consumers’ routines and lifestyles open up post-pandemic, the demand for grab-and-go meal options is on the rise. Consumers want functional nutrition options with ingredients that give them energy and staying power throughout the day. With 12 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber per half-cup serving, lentils provide that satiety. Not…
January 2024 European cuisines are experiencing a resurgence after a period of stagnation — Greek, French, Mediterranean, Spanish, Italian, and other classic cuisines are back and bolder than ever. Datassential reports that as American consumers visit Italy, France, Spain, and other European countries on post-COVID vacations, we can expect them to return with a hunger…
November 2023 Spiced Lentil and Chickpea Hot Wrap Anticipating consumer demand for cozy fall flavors in plant-forward menu offerings, Pret A Manger this September launched a permanent menu offering anchored by spiced lentils and chickpeas. The hot wrap is already overperforming based on volume, confirming a consumer shift toward satiating, protein-rich whole food plant ingredients…
November 2023 As 2023 begins to wind down, we are found reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to what is on the horizon in the New Year. It is also that time of year when many food companies and data houses come out with their trend predictions for the upcoming year. We at…
An upgraded menu once meant elegance, refinement, and top-tier customer service of the old-school variety: linen napkins and discreet table service. But today’s consumer is juggling an ever-changing financial market, expanding global tastes, personal dietary preferences, and a desire for food that satisfies as well as it appeals. Where lentils were once mainly used as…
Now more than ever, foodservice operators look to the college and university space as the birthplace of new flavor, cuisine, and dish format trends. Gen-Z is known to be the most adventurous generation of eaters, open to exploring global flavors and cuisines more than any other before them, creating a viable testing ground for the…
Mexican cuisine has risen above Italian and Chinese as the most desired cuisine type in the U.S. for the first time, with 82% of Millennials and 75% of Gen Z saying they “like or love it.” [1] This is a major shift and shows the desire for more unique global flavors when dining out. While…
With rising food costs still a top concern as you look toward menu planning for the second half of 2023, think of lentils as a versatile ingredient that can help boost flavor, create interesting textures, and deliver affordable, whole food plant-based protein dishes with great customer appeal. As the general population and especially Gen-Z continues…
As costs have risen for foodservice operators, balancing budgetary considerations with culinary creativity can seem virtually impossible, but there is a simple, whole-food ingredient that can help you improve your bottom line while amplifying flavor. The time is right to make your menu offerings go further with lentils. Rising global inflation has sent food costs…
December 2022 As 2022 begins to wind down, we are found reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to what is on the horizon in the New Year. It is also that time of year when many food companies and data houses come out with their trend predictions for the upcoming year. We at…
September 2022 As football season ramps up and temperatures drop, many American consumers look to sports bars as a gathering place to watch the game or meet with friends and coworkers while satisfying their appetite. At Twin Peaks restaurants nationwide, hungry sports fans can now find lentils on the menu in an on-trend, protein-packed Chicken…
What do you get when you partner with one of the leading chef influencer groups to challenge chefs to create the ultimate Lentil Power Bowl? The answer is dozens of delicious new menu items across the country, all featuring our favorite pulse crop…Lentils! And the winners are... Brandon Harpster's Whole Red Lentil Steak Bowl (left);…
September 2022 If there is one constant in the foodservice industry in 2022, it’s change. The industry continues to adapt to the economic and global realities of inflation, a late-stage pandemic, and pent-up consumer demand as operators look ahead to plan for a new calendar year and beyond. It can be helpful in complex times…
This summer, Lentils.org welcomed 22 foodservice operators and manufacturers to the heart of lentil growing country: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. 90% of Canada’s lentils are grown in Saskatchewan and Canada is the world’s largest exporter of lentils. A true immersive experience that could not be replicated over the past two years until the return of in-person…
We recently challenged chefs to build the ultimate Lentil Power Bowl as part of a collaboration with Chef’s Roll, and noticed that many of the participants decided to flex their creative muscle a little differently. Because of the versatility of both whole and split red lentils, chefs were inspired to create entries both in and…
Lentils.org collaborates with Chef’s Roll on New Promotion for Culinary Professionals SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN (June 16, 2022) – This spring, dozens of commercial and non-commercial chefs menued limited time offer (LTO) Lentil Power Bowls in pursuit of a $2,500 cash prize and a trip to the Lentils.org Summer 2022 Farm Tour. Taking the top prize in…
May 2022 Consumers today are looking for convenience and value, with preferences shaped by the pandemic and global issues that have raised prices on everything from groceries to fuel. Enter prepared meal delivery, which offers nutrition, flexibility, and flavor in a time- and money-saving solution. Freshly, a pioneer in the skyrocketing meal delivery industry, partnered…
1. Overview The recent “Chicken Wars” at Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) across the United States (U.S.) not only reignited the chicken sandwich trend, but it also gave birth to new and innovative ways to bring menu items to market. With consumers more vocal than ever in sharing what they love (or hate), alternate methods of…
The sun-drenched Mediterranean region has legendary culinary influence, with a wide-ranging flavor palette and the health halo of high-quality fats, fresh produce, whole pulses, and grains. As culinary trends and consumer demand expand to encompass more global influences, Mediterranean cuisine is not defined by borders or ubiquitous food staples, but rather a broad blend of…
December 2021 Lentils are increasingly prominent on Mediterranean fast-casual menus, as they are an approachable choice for both consumers looking for filling, plant-forward menu options and operators who need versatile ingredients that can soak up flavor and provide cross-utilization in just one SKU. The Mediterranean fast-casual chain Zoës Kitchen features lentils in several menu applications…
Indian cuisine offers a rich map of flavor, texture, and culinary influences, from the spiced and fragrant curries of the north, to street food in urban centers, to the herbal coconut-milk based dishes of the south. A tried-and-true fit for lentils, Indian cuisine makes a strong showcase for plant-forward dishes with comforting, adventurous, and unique…
For an ingredient that can increase the nutritional content of menu offerings across dayparts while making your operation more cost-effective, look no further than lentils. As a plant-forward, protein-rich substitute for ground meat, lentils are ideal in blended applications like burgers or tacos, as a substitute that can replace meat entirely in those same applications,…
November 2021 As 2021 begins to wind down, we are found reflecting on the past year and looking ahead to what is on the horizon. It is also that time of year where many food companies and data houses come out with their trend predictions for the upcoming year. We at Lentils.org love geeking out…
November 2021 The fast-casual restaurant segment is a booming one for the lentil industry. In addition to salad-centric chains, Mediterranean cuisine is a natural fit for lentils as operators are looking to add more plant-based proteins to menus. The Mediterranean fast casual restaurant chain CAVA provides a perfect example of how lentils can shine across…
Functional foods are those that offer health benefits that extend beyond their basic nutritional value. As more consumers seek foods that promise health benefits like added energy or increased immunity, functional foods, like lentils, can help you satisfy customer demand while also delivering on taste and menu appeal. Satisfying Health Desires and Innovating on Trends…
November 2021 Sweetgreen, one of the trendiest and fastest growing fast casual chains in the U.S., has a mission to build healthier communities by connecting people to real food, so it’s no surprise that lentils are a featured item on their menu. The Super Green Goddess Salad features lentils, chickpeas, roasted sweet potatoes, raw carrots,…
With limited staff and resources, utilizing ingredients that require less labor while also providing menu versatility may seem like an impossible feat. There are some ingredients, like lentils, that can work double duty for you, making at least one thing easier in the kitchen. Below are three reasons why lentils can be your labor-saving solution.…
March 2021 Depending on exactly how you classify them, there are between 25-30 sports bars in the top 200 chains. This unique sub-category of casual dining anticipate a higher check percentage towards beverage sales and are a favorite among consumers in the U.S. to gather and relax with family and friends, enjoy lunch or happy…
Red Lentils Star in this Nutritious, Flavorful, and Plant-Forward Option SASKATCHEWAN (Feb. 16, 2021) – Restaurant chain B.GOOD is now offering a Mediterranean Bowl in collaboration with Lentils.org in an effort to deliver a healthy menu option while diversifying lentils in the U.S. The bowl currently serves as the first lentil-based bowl option offered by…
The new 2020-2025 U.S. dietary guidelines have been released which highlight lentils as an important nutrient-dense food to be consumed as part of protein and vegetable intake to make up a healthy dietary pattern. The latest version of the U.S. dietary guidelines were released January 2021 and introduced several changes and updates to previous guidelines.…
Consumers love snacking and we know that younger generations are eating more frequent smaller meals or higher number of snacking occasions throughout their day. People are on the move so ease of grab-and-go options are attractive, especially those that can be snacked on throughout the day and hold well for extended periods of time. Consumers…
Exploring cuisine through the world of globally inspired street food may sound niche, but it is actually much more approachable than you first think. When you break down the street foods from around the world, there are actually a lot of similarities. Many cultures around the world all have their own version of many common…
Breakfast has long allowed consumers and operators to experiment with the combination of sweet and savory, domestic and international, relatable and new. When it comes to breakfast, all things go – whether it’s starting your day off strong or enjoying an indulgent brunch any time of day, breakfast has established strong loyal customers all over.…
There are many qualities of a good dish. One of those qualities that can set a dish apart from the rest for consumers is texture. Texture is the part of our senses when we feel the food in our mouth and can be described in terms such as hard, soft, liquid, solid, creamy, crumbly, crispy,…
Lentils are high in protein and a minimally processed whole food plant protein option and culinary innovators from across sectors are looking to ways to get more lentils on their menus. Top 5 Reasons Chefs Love Lentils: Versatility - Lentils fit across menu categories and day parts, from soups and stews, to center of the…
New Study Finds Nutrition and Environmental Benefits to Beef-Lentil Burgers (Winnipeg, Canada) July 28, 2020 – According to new research, combining lentils and beef is a winning combination for building a better burger. The new study, funded by Lentils.org and Pulse Canada, found that substituting one-third of a lean beef patty with cooked lentils results…
As foodservice operators shift to take-out and family-style meal service and delivery, we have rounded up our top recipes that travel and hot hold well. From classic take-out staples, to super portable power bowls, lentils are a versatile ingredient that will stand up for your menu! Lentil Keftedes with Mint Yogurt (Greek Meatballs)Lentil Lahmacun (Turkish…
During challenging times, many consumers reach to comfort foods to bring them a sense of ease and security. Here are our favorite foodservice friendly comfort food dishes to bring the well-being home this month: Indian Dal Bowl Lentil & Beef Maafe (African Stew) Shepherd’s Pie Loaded Lentil Sweet Potato Korean Fried Chicken Lentil Calzone Chicken…
March 2020 As different global cuisines begin to enter the mainstream we see a tendency to move away from strict authenticity and instead incorporate familiar ingredients or applications to promote trial and wider consumer acceptance. This fusion of the expected and adventurous lends to mash-ups like we are seeing with Middle Eastern cuisine across North…
February 2020 Bowls have taken over foodservice menus recently and the trend is not expected to go away anytime soon. Power bowls offer the consumer highly customizable and balanced meals in convenient and often portable vessels for on-the-go. For operators, bowls offer versatility and the ability to cross-utilize a variety of ingredients into diverse offerings.…
November 2019 African cuisine is steeped in history and colonial influence, relying largely on a plant-forward approach to dishes by elevating grains, pulses, and produce with strategic use of herbs and spices. As consumers are looking to more plant-forward diets from a health and environmental perspective, traditional and non-traditional African inspired dishes are a great…
October 2019 Koshari, the National Dish of Egypt is served in virtually every restaurant, home, and on every Egyptian street corner. The simple, yet hearty dish of lentils, rice, pasta, sauce, and fried onions is said to have originated in the 1800s as a way for Egyptian households to transform cooked grains, pulses, and pasta…
Marie Molde of Datassential shared her insights on the future of plant-forward dining and how lentils play a role in creating crave-worthy and sustainable menus, as presented at the Culinary Institute of America's (CIA) Global Plant-Forward Culinary Summit on May 2, 2019. Download the slide deck by clicking here. See below for recipes demonstrated and…
Sustainable pulse production sees increase in food products by Megan Madden for Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (Pulse Point Dec 2017) Agricultural practices are more efficient than they have ever been, but there are more mouths to feed on fewer resources every day. “We need to focus on food systems rather than agricultural systems,” says Denis Tremorin,…
A local food processor has teamed up with beef research specialists at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to develop a market-ready lentil product for use as a meat extender. The project has the potential to increase demand for lentils, as demand grows for convenient meat products in…
