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Italy’s Breaking Up with Bread? 🍞

Italy’s dining table is evolving. Traditional bread is stepping aside as crackers, wraps, and breadsticks take center stage. Unlike freshly baked loaves that spoil quickly, these alternatives offer longer shelf life, portability, and quick prep — all aligning with modern lifestyles.

Nearly half of Italian shoppers prioritize natural ingredients, and 59% want meals they can prepare in a snap. Enter the new wave: plant-based recipes, superfood add-ins, gut-friendly benefits, and air fryer–ready formats. Think chia-seed crackers, lentil wraps in meal kits, and mini pizza bases made for speed.

Bread-free dining is no longer a compromise — it’s a trend with taste, health, and convenience on its side, ready to roll across Europe.

Climate change is shaking up dining tables around the world — and Korea is no exception.

Once known for its apple production, the southern region of Gyeongbuk is experiencing a northward shift of its apple orchards to Gangwon, while tangerines, once exclusive to Jeju Island, are now being cultivated inland. As growing conditions shift and ingredient supplies become unstable, the food industry is responding with a strategy known as “hedging food.”

When tomatoes became scarce, for example, Lotteria introduced a cheese-focused Mozzarella Burger, and McDonald’s responded with a meatier patty option. These instances illustrate how brands are launching new offerings by replacing unstable ingredients with alternatives.

At the same time, there's growing interest in developing new protein sources such as plant-based meat and insect protein, as well as adopting food tech solutions like smart farms to improve production resilience.

These shifts go beyond temporary fixes — they reflect a broader industry transformation toward building a sustainable food ecosystem in an era of climate crisis.

This summer, the Korean food and beverage market is being swept by the refreshing sweetness of melon-flavored products. From snacks and milk to drinks, jellies, and ice cream, melon has made its way into a wide range of items, especially appealing to Gen Z consumers.

Notable examples include Nongshim’s Melon Kick, Seoul Milk’s Melon Milk, Gongcha’s Melon Melon Milk Tea, and Baskin-Robbins’ seasonal melon bingsu. Melon’s subtle aroma and gentle sweetness make it easy to enjoy without being overwhelming, which has contributed to its broad popularity. In particular, Melon Kick sold 1.44 million bags in its first week, quickly becoming a social media sensation.

Creative melon recipes and user content have further fueled the trend. More than just a seasonal flavor, melon is now rising as a trendy, Gen Z-focused taste in Korea’s food scene.