Mushroom chips, anyone? Or maybe cactus water? How about a side of duckweed, or a sea moss gummy? 

Whole Foods’ 50-person team of experts — foragers, buyers, culinary pros — has spoken, and the future is looking global and crunchy. This year marks the grocer’s 10th trends report. 

“We’re especially excited to celebrate how far we’ve come by spotlighting trends for 2025 that not only reflect growing consumer preferences but also push the boundaries of what’s possible for the world of food,” says Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, chief merchandising and marketing officer.

Crispy, Crunchy Everything

Crunch is everywhere, from grains to sprouted nuts, even making an appearance in drinks (yes, you can find a crème brûlée espresso martini with a crispy topping). I can’t wait to try the cashews with Sichuan spice. Who said snacks aren’t a complete meal?

Protein Power-Up

Protein-rich snacks (“whole food” snacking) and meals are also on the rise, as consumers seek more animal proteins over traditional bars and powders. Organ meats are the new superfood, loaded with protein, minerals, and vitamins. They’re being mixed with muscle meat like ground beef, making it easier to prepare. 

 

Hydration, But Make It Fancy

In 2025, hydration gets an upgrade with sparkling coconut water, electrolyte popsicles, and chlorophyll-infused drinks. Pricklee cactus water or hydration mix, anyone?

Dumplings Everywhere

Dumplings are invading the freezer aisle. Forget takeout. You can find Chinese soup dumplings and vegan dumplings at your local grocery store. They are popping up with all kinds of new flavors. Sometimes we want our comfort food without leaving the house.

Sourdough Returns

Sourdough is back — but not just in bread. Expect sourdough pizza crusts, brownies, spaghetti, flatbreads, and even crackers. No stinky starter needed.

Aquatic Proteins

Aquatic ingredients like sea moss and duckweed (also called water lentils, a tiny floating plant packed with nutrients and more protein than other leafy greens) are hitting shelves as sustainable proteins. Feels very Seattle, don’t you think? 

Eco-Friendly Packaging and Sips

Speaking of sustainability, some products are now (or will soon be) fully compostable at home — think cling wrap and compostable produce stickers. And forward-thinking boozy brands are working to reduce their environmental footprints too. Beer and whiskey brands are using drought-resistant and regeneratively farmed ingredients. Boxed wines are making a comeback, with more eco-friendly packaging. And tea lovers, get ready: tea is having a glow-up with tea strips, cold-brew bags, and sparkling teas. I’ve added cold-brew peach and mango tea to my list.

It’s good news that people are thinking about health and sustainability. I’m especially excited about the compostable items — small changes like that can make a big difference. And I’m all for the “whole foods” snacking. A lot of current snacks leave me hungry not long after eating them. But snacking on something like smoked salmon cubes or spicy nuts? That sounds delicious and satisfying. And hopefully these trends will come with a price point that’s available to everyone because I think we’d all like to eat healthier and live greener. 

What will you try first? You have plenty of options: Whole Foods operates 11 stores across Washington state, 10 of which are in the Puget Sound region. Amazon acquired Whole Foods in 2017.