The Most Fascinating Food Trends Through The Years

In 1979, it became all the rage to order a goat cheese salad and look all fancy. Thanks to chefs Alice Waters and Jeremiah Tower from Northern California, lots of cheesemakers began to integrate different types of cheese into their menus, and goat happened to be one of them.

Thank goodness for 1980, or else we wouldn't have ranch dressing today! Apparently, we have Steve Henson to give credit to, who produced it on his ranch, Hidden Valley Ranch. By 1992, it was the number one dressing in America—and it might still be today.

Although they were launched in the UK, skittles came to America in 1979 and became incredibly popular in 1981. These fruity candies let everyone taste the rainbow back then, and they’re still working their same magic now.

This lovely Italian dish we eat today rose to popularity in 1980s from a New York restaurant called Joanna’s Restaurant, and the sauce blew up by 1983. Maybe the fact that it’s made with real vodka increased the appeal!

What’s not to love about Ben & Jerry’s? Well people began digging into pints of Phish Food and Cherry Garcia back in the '80s. (And they still are today.)

As Tex-Mex cuisine started gaining recognition in the U.S. around the 1970s, chefs considered putting it on their menus. Once Chef George Weidmann from Germany put fajitas on his menu in Austin, Texas, everyone followed suit.

Who can resist a tasty bite of monkey bread? Apparently Nancy Reagan made it in the White House in 1985 and it spiked in popularity afterwards. By 1986, everyone was eating this sweet treat.

Luxury chocolates became the best gifts to give friends and family in 1987. Apparently a woman named Alice Medrich began selling them at her store, Chocolat, and was praised for the rich creamy texture and powerful flavor of her chocolates.

Lunchables, the beloved childhood snack box, were all over the place by 1988. These made lunch prep a breeze, as they had pizza, hot dogs, chips and crackers, deli meat, and sweets for kids to nosh on.

That’s right—the veggie burgers we see popping up on menus everywhere started back in the 1980s with the VegeBurger, which was launched in 1982 and became a top selling patty by the end of the decade.

While it was a popular dessert option through the '80s, it wasn’t until publications started mentioning it in 1990 that this dessert gained a ton of press and recognition. And since we all know how amazing it tastes, there’s no surprise there.

Since chocolate M&M’s were so successful, peanut butter naturally followed suit. In 1991, Mars Inc. launched Peanut Butter M&M’s, perhaps to compete with the oh-so-popular Reese’s Pieces.

That’s right, the glorious Starbucks frapps and festive lattes we know and love all started in 1992 when Starbucks went public and started busting out stores worldwide. And look where it is today!

Dried cranberries are everywhere now, popping up on salads, in trail mix, and in oatmeal. In 1993, classic Craisins were seen as a fruity snack that tons of moms loved feeding their kids.

It’s funny to think about today with the latest craze of the keto diet, but back in 1994 going low-fat was the trend of the moment. Low-fat and fat-free packaged goods, like Lean Cuisine, started taking over kitchens and grocery stores to help combat the obesity epidemic in America.

In 1995, Kellogg’s released its tasty, gooey Rice Krispie Treats, as well as its cereal, and it became the new favorite light and sweet snack. Even today, it’s a soft and chewy treat that people love to bite into.

Fried calamari (and maybe some beers) became the most popular appetizer in 1996, so much so where the term was used in 56 New York Times articles.

Starting in Baltimore, Maryland, crab cakes became super popular all over the country, and by 1997 they were seen on several menus. We’re glad—they’re delicious!

Ahh, the beloved McFlurry—a decadent treat made up of soft-serve and every sugary topping under the sun. It became the “it” drink to order back in 1998.

After Sex and The City premiered in 1998, women all over the world beelined for their local cocktail bar to order a cosmo, Carrie Bradshaw’s beverage of choice.

What kid could resist a Smucker’s Uncrustable for lunch? An easy twist on PB & J you could take on the go, these pockets of goodness had all the peanut butter and jam fillings of your dreams.

This dynamic duo gained popularity in the early 2000’s, and by 2001 it was *the* go-to drink order. A simple 2-ounce shot of vodka and a can of Red Bull was all anyone needed to get the party started.

That’s right, the smoothies we love as easy breakfasts and recovery meals today were all the rage in 2002 when Jamba Juice made them the healthy sip that everyone needed. Who knew Mango-A-Go-Go could be so influential?

We see these bars everywhere today, along with many other granola and protein bars, but these became super popular around 2003 when Lara Merikken, the inventor, started using raw fruit, nuts, and spices to create a healthy, convenient snack.

In 2004, yogurt became the highest ranked food to be incorporated into the American diet for any meal, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

In 2005, Sprinkles Cupcakes opened after the success of Crumbs Bake Shop and Magnolia Bakery, and Baked by Melissa and Georgetown Cupcake weren’t too far behind. Cupcakes became portable mini desserts that people were crazy about.

By 2006, white chocolate mocha was popping up everywhere. "Our research indicates strong consumer interest and appeal in chocolate, particularly as part of beverages," said Joe Scafido, Chief Creative and Innovation Officer for Dunkin' Brands in 2006.

After Pinkberry opened its first store in 2005, the frozen yogurt craze began to steadily increase. By 2007, everyone was grabbing a cup of fro-yo after school for their new “hangout” spot.

Momofuku Noodle Bar in New York City made ramen its signature dish, and after people starting trying it, the trend caught up fast. By 2008, ramen was huge and Japanese chain Ippudo opened its first location in New York.