Europe is calling.
It’s that time of the year again when the mind and the heart dream of sipping exotic wines in Tuscany, biking through Amsterdam, sunbathing in Greek islands and trying frozen margaritas in Spain.
However, European vacations are not always about visiting famous spots and ticking off the cult classics from the bucket list. Social media trends have brought food to the spotlight. Hidden gems and local favourites are garnering all the attention on social media and driving food aficionados to little-known eateries and corner bakeries. There are quite a few authentic as well as reinvented dishes that have gone viral this year. But fair warning: after tasting these viral bites, there’s a good chance you’ll start missing your Aussie classics. After all, you can only go so long without a Tim Tam slam or good ol’ Vegemite. Luckily, there are plenty of Australian hampers to send overseas that’ll cure that homesick craving in a flash.
Now, let’s dig in to find the best of what’s trending on the European plate this season.
1. Pistachio Everything
European delicacies are going green this summer. Pistachio seems to have caught the liking of plenty of tastebuds there, with cafes and bakeries increasingly infusing this often-overlooked ingredient to create exciting new dishes. Apart from making Instagram feeds more aesthetic and vibrant, this nut offers an intense and bold flavour that more and more consumers are starting to crave. Plus, its nutritional benefits are adding to its appeal for the health-conscious eaters. For now, it can be found in a wide array of dishes like pistachio-stuffed croissants and tiramisu to pistachio lattes and ice creams. Expect more creative dishes as the trend catches more eyeballs.
2. Gourmet Cheese Toasties
The humble toastie is no stranger to Australians. However, it has taken on a more avant-garde form in European kitchens. This culinary renaissance has been taken up by London’s leading establishments. Artisanal cheeses, truffle oil, and premium bread are joining forces with unique dipping sauces like tart chutney. This can be a great choice for Aussies abroad who seek comfort food with a bit of a twist.
3. Chopped Italian Sandwich
Bella Hadid went on a holiday and managed to go viral on TikTok while eating a simple Italian sandwich, with the video hitting 11 million views. While it doesn’t have any groundbreaking recipes, the root of its success lies in its simplicity and ease of preparation. This hearty sandwich, featuring finely chopped Italian meats, cheeses, and vegetables mixed together and stuffed into a roll, has caught the public imagination.
4. Hot Honey
A new spicier version of honey is being drizzled upon a wide variety of European dishes. Be it pizza, roasted veggies or some bakery delicacy, hot honey has found a way to be there. Noticing its soaring popularity and sustained growth over the past year, many supermarkets have started selling this unique flavour of honey to the masses. Truly a sign of going mainstream.
5. Dubai Chocolate
Imagine waiting for hours outside a shop in a long line to buy a…… chocolate bar.
While it may sound like a piece of fiction, this is what really happened in Germany when famed chocolatier Lindt introduced its version of the viral Dubai Chocolate. Over the past few months, droves of influencers on Instagram and TikTok have been raving about this Middle Eastern chocolate. These luxurious chocolate bars, filled with pistachio paste (yep, pistachio again) and wrapped in crispy kadaifi pastry, have become a viral hit. This craze has even resulted in a global shortage of pistachios. Imagine that.
6. Crab and Chips
Move over, fish and chips, there’s a new marine dish to dive into. It is usurping the British classic on its home turf in the UK, especially in the seaside coastal towns and cities. Instead of the standard battered cod, these dishes feature sweet white crab meat served either in crispy shell form or sautéed in garlic butter. Some places even offer unexpected dips like seaweed aioli and pickled cucumbers.
These viral dishes are sure to offer an eclectic mix of flavour, taste and texture. From the posh version of fish and chips to a spunkier and spicier version of honey, expect the unexpected. And the best part? You don’t have to be a hardcore foodie to appreciate them. The chopped Italian sandwiches and the gourmet cheese toasties ring closer to home. So when you plan your next sojourn to Europe, make sure that you have a taste of these viral dishes before heading back down under.
