Food trends come and go, but the gap between what millennials and baby boomers put on their plates seems wider than ever. While older generations grew up with meat and potatoes, today's twenty and thirty-somethings are embracing foods that leave their parents scratching their heads.
From Instagram-worthy breakfasts to fermented drinks, these millennial food crazes have transformed our eating habits and restaurant menus forever.
This content is intended for general information and light-hearted reading only. Food trends and tastes differ across generations, and what appeals to some may not appeal to others.
1. Avocado Toast On Sourdough
What once cost pennies to make at home now commands £15 at trendy cafés. The creamy green fruit (yes, avocado is technically a fruit!) spread on artisanal sourdough has become the poster child for millennial dining habits.
Older generations remain baffled by the obsession, especially when financial experts cheekily suggest it's the reason young people can't afford homes.
2. Oat Milk Lattes
Remember when coffee was just coffee? Now baristas craft elaborate concoctions with plant-based milk alternatives, with oat milk leading the pack. Its creamy texture makes perfect latte art while avoiding dairy altogether.
Boomers wonder why anyone would pay extra for milk made from grains when cow's milk worked perfectly fine for generations.
3. Rainbow-Coloured Bagels And Cakes
Psychedelic swirls of food colouring turn plain baked goods into instant social media stars. Their rainbow shades may look striking, but in truth they often taste no different from simpler versions. Despite that, they still fetch premium prices thanks to their photogenic appeal.
Many in the older generation can’t help but question why anyone would want to eat something that resembles a craft project more than a slice of cake.
4. Kale Smoothies And Green Juices
The bitter leafy green that was once merely garnish has become the cornerstone of millennial health drinks. Blended with fruits to mask the taste, these vibrant green concoctions promise detoxification and vitality.
Baby boomers, who grew up on orange juice, find it peculiar to drink something that resembles lawn clippings.
5. Gluten-Free Everything (Even If You're Not Coeliac)
For many Boomers, the idea of skipping traditional bread and pasta by choice seems baffling. What began as a strict necessity for people with coeliac disease has since grown into a widespread lifestyle trend.
These days, restaurants and supermarkets alike showcase gluten-free alternatives to everything from pasta bakes to puddings. The shift has turned what was once a medical requirement into a booming food movement.
6. Plant-Based Meat Burgers
Scepticism runs high among many in the older generation when it comes to plant proteins designed to mimic meat. Yet laboratory-developed patties that sizzle, “bleed” and taste strikingly like beef have reshaped the vegetarian dining scene.
For millennials concerned about climate change, these high-tech creations offer a way to cut their carbon footprint without giving up familiar flavours. What was once a niche experiment has now become a mainstream menu staple.
7. Sushi Burritos And Poke Bowls
Fusion cuisine reaches new heights with supersized sushi rolls wrapped like burritos and deconstructed versions served as bowls. These portable, customisable meals combine Japanese flavours with American portion sizes and convenience.
Baby boomers, who remember when sushi was considered exotic, find these hybrid creations unnecessarily complicated and messy to eat.
8. Charcoal-Infused Drinks And Ice Cream
Many in the older generation find it puzzling that anyone would choose to eat food resembling ash from a fireplace. Yet pitch-black drinks and desserts infused with activated charcoal have become a striking trend, more about their dramatic look than their flavour.
Promoted for supposed detoxifying properties, they’ve gained traction on social media even though health experts remain doubtful. The appeal lies largely in the bold visuals, turning bland-tasting treats into eye-catching novelties.
9. Quinoa Salads In Mason Jars
The South American superfood with the tricky pronunciation (it's "keen-wah", for the record) became the grain of choice for health-conscious millennials.
Layered in glass jars with vegetables and dressing, these portable meals double as desk accessories in open-plan offices. Boomers wonder why perfectly good containers were replaced with awkward drinking vessels.
