Global & Regional CuisinesMexican Rises to the Top as Most Popular Cuisine in the U.S. 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… Read More
Applications & PlatformsFood Trend Spotlight: Whole Food Plant-Based Proteins 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… Read More
Operational & Labor SavingFood Trend Spotlight: Combating Rising Inflation 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… Read More
Yearly TrendsSpotlight on the Hottest Food Trends for 2023 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… Read More
Case Studies CommercialCase Study: On-trend lentil salad boosts menu category sales at Twin Peaks locations nationwide 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… Read More
Applications & PlatformsPrepare to Be BOWL-ed Over! 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);… Read More
Yearly TrendsFood Trend Spotlight: 2022 Mid-Year Culinary Trends & Surprises to Watch 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… Read More
Case StudiesImmersive Farm Tour Experience Demonstrates the Journey of Lentils from Farm to Plate to Volume Foodservice Operators 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… Read More
Applications & PlatformsThinking Outside the Bowl 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… Read More
Applications & PlatformsTwo Winners Selected in Power Up with Lentils LTO Contest 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… Read More
Case Studies Non-CommercialCase Study: Prepared meal delivery service Freshly partners with Lentils.org to offer hearty, plant-forward meals 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… Read More
Applications & PlatformsFlour Power: New Uses for Lentil Flour in Batters, Breading, and Coating Systems 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… Read More
