snack: noun
bite-sized food eaten with the fingers, sometimes right out of the bag, off a bowl, or from a dish.
a small amount of food eaten between meals.
"Few people make it through to the evening meal without a snack."
![Decor by Off The Wall for ShopRite](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a7a2dd_9d063424a04b4ea58bfac8ed1c506dd1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/a7a2dd_9d063424a04b4ea58bfac8ed1c506dd1~mv2.jpg)
To say snacks are eaten all over the world seems obvious, but to think about what snacks say about the different cultures they come from is food for thought. Why do British supermarkets have prawn crisps on their shelves? Fried pork rinds displayed unpackaged on store shelves in Guatemala? Raw fish (well, cooked in citric acid) scooped from big bowls on the streets in Chile? America is squeamish about things like salmonella and has figured out ways of packaging these foods for sale on their snack aisles and even "Americanized" some of them along the way. Nostalgic and futuristic processes are also on several websites' lists this year. At any rate, each year, some snacks are made more popular than others through availability, display, and marketing. Here are a few trends for 2025:
The website GoodTaste predicts snacks that embrace global flavors and reimagine classic ingredients. At the top of their list are snacks with an Asian flair as well as snacks with really spicy ingredients: "Spicy foods are surging and ultra-hot ingredients like habaneros and ghost peppers are going mainstream. The "spicy" trend, a fusion of sweet and spicy, is taking off with products like chili-infused chocolate, spicy honey, and maple syrups with a kick." Click here to read more about what to expect in 2025.
Although it sounds contradictory, the website "Toast" predicts surges in plant-based and high-protein snacks. But they are also predicting nostalgic flavors, "Nostalgic snacks with a gourmet or modern twist are having a moment. These include everything from artisanal versions of Pop-Tarts and Twinkies to revamped versions of childhood cereals," But the most interesting trend is what Toast calls "global flavor integration: The globalization of food culture through social media, international travel, and diverse communities has led to a broader appreciation for global flavors. As consumers become more adventurous with their palates, they seek snacks that reflect these diverse tastes." Click here for a really interesting read.
![Decor by Off The Wall for Whole Foods](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a7a2dd_7766cc67cd684eeb91292fe74e6e43c6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/a7a2dd_7766cc67cd684eeb91292fe74e6e43c6~mv2.jpg)
The Website Bakery&Snacks has a good review of the latest packaged snacks that will be marketed aggressively this year. With products such as Frenchie Raclette Jambon, Pipcorn, Spudsy, and The Scottish Bee, 2025 promises to be an exciting year in this category. Click here for details.