Is Moroccan the Next Food Trend?

COLLINSVILLE, Conn., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Mexican, Asian, Indian; what's the next food trend on the horizon? Passage Foods thinks it could be Moroccan. As Americans rekindle their love for great food and purchasing begins to expand out of the value foods segment, American consumers are spending more on healthy foods and on ethnic foods. Additionally, they continue to still cook at home, a pattern driven both by the economy and by a strong interest in network and cable cooking programs. While spending on meals away from home is showing slow recovery, food segments that provide adventure and an exotic experience in eating are showing strong growth, albeit from a small initial market base, according to Passage Foods' Larry Johnson.

"Young adults are driving the interest in ethnic foods in the USA and their adventurous eating is introducing foods from around the world to their family and friends," noted Johnson. "In 2009, ethnic foods set a record at $2.2 billion in sales, even in a down economy. We expect to see interest in the international food category expand into South American and African cuisine while Indian and Asian foods continue their rapid growth. Moroccan cuisine is characterized by the same rich spiced sauces that are winning consumers' palates in Indian and Thai foods and we foresee Moroccan foods as one of the next exotic culinary experiences."

As more consumers identify themselves as "cooking enthusiasts" and look to experiment with new flavors, they are fueling the demand for what were once exotic foods. Today's ethnic consumer is more mainstream, more affluent and younger, according to Mintel International. While young adults are the most adventurous in trying global cuisines, they are also very demanding of products that offer all-natural and healthy ingredients.  

About Passage Foods

Passage Foods is an affiliate of Flavour Makers Pty. Ltd., the second largest seasoning manufacturer in Australia. Passage Foods produces a range of ethnic cooking sauces including Passage to India and Passage to Thailand that are sold in major retailers in the USA, Australia and the UK. All Passage Foods Simmer Sauces are manufactured in the company's Australia-based facilities. For additional product and consumer market information, call 1-800-860-1045, extension 204 or visit Passage Foods online at http://www.passagefoods.com.  

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SOURCE Passage Foods