Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Viral Food Trends Are Outpacing Production and Harvests
Food trends used to spread slowly from person to person.
Now, social media algorithms can make a trend popular in just a weekend.
Food and drinks spread especially well because people can see interesting colors, shapes, and textures.
Charles Spence says Dubai chocolate is a good example.
Its crunchy pistachio filling and smooth chocolate make people curious to try it.
People may copy the trend because they do not want to miss out.
When many people post similar videos, platforms may show the trend to even more viewers.
The result can be demand that grows faster than producers can make the food.
Because many foods and drinks are affordable, lots of people can join in.
Food trends now spread through algorithms in a weekend rather than by word of mouth over a season.
Food and drinks are especially suited to viral sharing because viewers can perceive novelty and texture visually.
Charles Spence of the University of Oxford cites Dubai chocolate as an example of this phenomenon.
The chocolate’s pistachio filling and creamy coating create a visualized textural contrast that encourages people to recreate it.
Novelty, fear of missing out, and affordability can turn a boutique product into a global shortage.
- Who
- Consumers, social media platforms, food producers, and Charles Spence, a professor at the University of Oxford.
- What
- Rapidly spreading food trends are creating demand that production may struggle to meet.
- When
- Modern trends can spread in a weekend, compared with the season-long spread of older trends.
- Where
- Across social media platforms and global consumer markets, including the market for Dubai chocolate.
- Why
- Algorithms, visual appeal, novelty, fear of missing out, and the affordability of food and drinks accelerate demand.
- Trend speed
- Food trends can spread through an algorithm in a weekend.
- Older pattern
- The Jell-O salad trend spread by word of mouth over a season in the 1950s.
- Example
- Charles Spence identifies Dubai chocolate as a case study.
- Texture
- Dubai chocolate combines crunchy pistachio filling with creamy chocolate.
- Viral drivers
- Novelty and fear of missing out encourage people to recreate trends.
- Supply impact
- Viral demand helped turn a boutique chocolate bar into a global shortage.
- Accessibility
- Food and drinks are described as pocket friendly and easily accessible.