News and Trends

  Shoppers are a fickle bunch. What they love (and loathe) can change on a dime. But you can be certain there’s always something in the background driving their decisions. A celebrity divulging the ‘secret ingredient’ that will add that je ne sais quoi to their cooking. That TikTok fad (we’re looking at you oven-baked feta pasta and dalgona coffee). And science.  The Glucose Goddess , for example, has been responsible for soaring interest in apple cider vinegar, while Professor Tim Spector’s insight into the microbiome, and the importance of fostering  good gut health , has made a whole generation look at legumes in a new light. Knowing what to stock, then, is an ongoing battle. Alongside the essentials, what is it that’s making shoppers tick? What’s going to light up their senses and give them a shot of dopamine as they’re wandering the aisles? Drinks manufacturer Diageo’s latest report –  Flavour Forecast  – suggests there are five areas to hit up this summer,...

SHIOK It’s worth heading to Shiok just to be delighted by Cherish Finden’s stunning cakes. Inspired by her Singaporean childhood, the pastry chef sells pineapple-jam stuffed, cookie-like treats. Little travel cakes are iced oblong confections in flavors such as sticky toffee pudding (it tastes just like the famous British dessert) and yuzu. Best of all are the dessert “tins” for £16 ($19), featuring paper-thin white chocolate shaped and decorated to look like cans, including a partially open lid. Arome Bakery Arôme This bakery mixes traditional French baking with Asian styles and flavors from co-founders Alix Andre and Ellen Chew. Among their engaging takes on classics are croissants made from expertly laminated pastry in flavors like cappuccino and sausage with Japanese barbecue sauce. The highlight, though, is the bestselling honey butter toast (£4.90). It’s a thick slice of fluffy Japanese milk bread with a crust of crunchy honey in an ideal balance of textures and sweetness. Cédric...