Sainsbury’s released its top taste trends for 2020 and among the most turned-to products last year were bananas.
The UK retailer noted that because of the COVID-19 lockdown and Brits spending more time in the kitchen than eating out, a large proportion of citizens were baking more. That meant more sourdough starters and pizza bases being purchased but it also meant a lean to the sweet fruit as the staple in banana breads.
“2020 has been a year like no other. With more time spent indoors, as a nation we’ve really stepped up to the plate and taken the opportunity to get creative in our kitchens, collectively cooking, baking and cocktail-making our way through the year,” a Sainsbury’s spokesperson said. “Whatever 2021 brings to the table, customers can be sure they will find delicious food to suit their tastes.”
In fact, banana bread was the most popular baking item during the past 12 months, according to data revealed from 18 million Nectar customers. Sainsbury’s said sales of the fruit were up in London 17%.
Across the board, fruit and veg sales soared as many turned to healthier lifestyles in the wake of the pandemic. According to Sainsbury’s, shoppers consumed more than 20 million portions of fruit and veg in September alone.
With consumers opting to eat out less, they also experimented in their homes with world cuisines, and spent nearly a third more pulling together Chinese and Thai-based meals.
Brits showed off their cookery skills beyond the kitchen as well, using outdoor spaces and barbecues more as burger sales jumped 22% in May. They also spent more on creative cocktail concoctions, with sales of Aperol up 57% and gin 21% year-on-year.
