Food Trends Report: 85 pc of Households Opt for Vegetarian Meals

Home cooking, once considered a diminishing skill, is experiencing a renaissance. In response to this culinary resurgence, upliance.ai, an innovative home appliance startup, has introduced its AI Cooking Assistant, delishUp⤴️, and is delighted to present its comprehensive debut food trends report. This report embarks on a flavorful journey through the evolving tastes of young Indian households, enriched by meticulously curated, data-driven insights.

Derived from an extensive dataset encompassing 3,000 households and over 15,000 cooking sessions on delishUp⤴️ across 11 cities, the report divulges compelling findings that offer intriguing glimpses into the nation's ever-changing culinary preferences. While certain preconceptions are reaffirmed, others challenge stereotypes, resulting in a multifaceted tapestry of tastes and preferences.

Key Highlights of the Report:

• 80 percent of delishUp⤴️ users are men, predominantly in the 25-40 age group, who have embraced home cooking and are venturing into diverse culinary domains.
• Despite 51 percent of users identifying as non-vegetarians, a staggering 85 percent of households opt for vegetarian meals on delishUp⤴️ due to the perceived intricacies of handling meat. Beloved vegetarian dishes such as Veg Pulao and Kadai Paneer continue to captivate palates.
• Contrary to the assumption that South Indians predominantly prefer rice-based meals, chapati dough emerges as a top recipe, constituting 3.5 percent of cooking sessions on delishUp⤴️.
• Approximately 40 percent of users express a desire for healthier eating, but fewer than 10 percent consistently incorporate healthy alternatives into their delishUp⤴️ cooking routines.
• Young Indian households are diversifying their home-cooked meals, with 40 percent leaning towards Indian cuisine, 20 percent towards Continental, 20 percent towards Italian, and the remaining 20 percent exploring beverages, soups, salads, and Asian recipes.

Vegetarian vs. Non-Vegetarian: The Culinary Tapestry of Indian Homes

India, often perceived as primarily vegetarian, unveils a more diversified culinary landscape. Approximately 51 percent of homeowners proudly declare themselves non-vegetarians. However, many novice cooks gravitate towards vegetarian dishes due to the perceived complexity of handling meat, resulting in 85 percent of households preparing vegetarian meals on delishUp⤴️. Traditional favorites such as Veg Pulao and Kadai Paneer remain highly popular, with other classics like Poha and Rasam enjoying widespread acclaim.

North vs. South: A Curiosity for Regional Delicacies

Challenging the misconception that South Indians solely prefer rice-based meals, chapati dough emerges as a frequent choice, comprising 3.5 percent of meals prepared on delishUp⤴️. Conversely, North and West Indian users are increasingly drawn to South Indian delicacies like Upma, Lemon Rice, Bangalore-style Sambar, and Cabbage Pachadi. In the South, an exploration of dishes like Gujarati Kadhi, Mumbai-style Pav Bhaji, Rice Kheer, Surti Cold Coco, and more reflects cross-regional culinary curiosity.

ChatGPT Creations: Fusing AI with Culinary Innovation

AI has seamlessly integrated into daily life, including the kitchen. Preparing new dishes has historically posed challenges in finding the right recipes, mastering techniques, and sourcing ingredients. With delishUp⤴️’s ChefGPT feature, even novice cooks are confidently experimenting with new dishes at home. Innovative creations, such as Mexican-inspired beer concoctions, the resourceful Rotli nu Shaak utilizing leftover roti, and the delectable Ada Pradhaman, a cherished Kerala dessert, have found a place in the kitchen.

Tea Time Snacks: The Appeal of Home-cooked Street Food

Despite being a cherished part of Indian food culture, street food continues to captivate home kitchens across the nation. DelishUp⤴️ data reveals that age-old classics like Pav Bhaji and Bhel are frequently prepared at home rather than being ordered or eaten out. Unconventional dishes like Bread Paneer Poha, Beetroot Rasam, Pudina Palak Khichdi, Creamy Peanut Noodles, Beetroot Halwa, and Chicken Tagine are gaining prominence, indicating a growing willingness to embrace diverse flavors and experiment at home when convenience prevails.

Eating and Cooking Healthy at Home: Aspiration vs. Reality

In an increasingly health-conscious world, it is noteworthy that while 40 percent of individuals express a desire for healthier eating habits, less than 10 percent consistently integrate these practices into their daily cooking routines. This underscores the perpetual balance between aspirations for health-consciousness and the allure of comfort food in meal preparation. Additionally, there is a widespread craving for restaurant-style food, with nearly 500 individuals expressing the desire to recreate their favorite meals at home. This spans various cuisines, with 40 percent favoring Indian, 20 percent preferring Continental, 20 percent opting for Italian, and the remainder exploring a variety from chaats to Asian dishes, aligning with the aspiration to make "outside food" healthier by preparing it at home.

Men's Culinary Independence

An impressive 80 percent of delishUp⤴️ users are men, primarily between the ages of 25 and 40, many of whom are embarking on their culinary journey for the first time. Cooking, once perceived as a laborious process requiring intricate recipes and skills, has been revolutionized by modern kitchen appliances. The convenience these gadgets offer has empowered individuals, particularly men who may have previously felt daunted by traditional cooking methods. Their attraction to cooking technology and the ease it provides has fostered greater independence in the kitchen, motivating them to experiment with a wide array of dishes and expand their culinary horizons.

What Unites Us

In the diverse landscape of Indian cuisine, timeless favorites like Poha, Pulao, and Kadai Paneer resonate with the nation's taste buds. Mornings commence with quick meals like Poha and Upma, while dinners embrace the comfort of Chapatis complemented by an array of sabzis, including Kadai Paneer and Aloo Tamatar Sabzi. Lunch varies but often features rice-based dishes like Veg Pulao and Sambar. Dessert cravings are dominated by universally beloved Rice Kheer, with Vermicelli Payasam adding a Southern twist. In the realm of non-vegetarian cuisine, Butter Chicken claims the throne, delighting enthusiasts nationwide. These culinary trends exemplify the enduring love for traditional flavors and the harmonious fusion of regional and national tastes in Indian cuisine.

As India's culinary landscape continues to evolve, this research offers invaluable insights into recent shifts in food preferences across the nation. With home cooking experiencing a resurgence, the convenience of appliances that streamline the cooking process is democratizing culinary experiences and empowering young Indian households to savor more diverse and exciting home-cooked meals.