What’s Trending in Food—Pistachios, Protein, Charcuterie, and Masa

If you’ve been following the Faire blog, you know the Faire Fashion Index, our monthly recap of what’s been trending on runways, in the streets, and in our own network. But on Faire, we see so many more trends than just fashion—and that’s why we’re expanding our reporting to cover even more trending categories as they break. Now, each month you can expect an exclusive detailed report of what’s cool and new in a variety of categories from home and gifts to apparel to food and beverage. This month, uncover the latest in trending food since we’re fresh off the Natural Products Expo West and have lots of insights to share. 

So, pull up a fork—let’s dig in. 

Pistachio rules

Move over peanuts and almonds. There’s another nut vying for everyone’s attention: pistachios. The Food Institute says that these little powerhouses are surging in popularity. And there are a lot of reasons consumers are cracking them open. First, pistachios are nutrient-dense, with lots of protein, vitamins, and minerals. They’re also mellow-flavored and creamy, and their bright color makes them eye-catching in confectionery treats, like the viral Dubai chocolate. This chocolate bar, which mixes luscious pistachios and tahini, has skyrocketed in popularity on TikTok and on Faire, with a 128% increase in searches from December to February. Searches for pistachios alone increased 231% in the same time period. 

Of course, Dubai chocolate isn’t the only way consumers are enjoying pistachios. They’re also whipping them into—or simply buying them as—pistachio cream (the top most-searched snack food item in February, with Dubai chocolate close behind). 

On Faire, we have a slew of ways to bring pistachio popularity into your retail shop. 

• Aladdin Pistachio & Kadayif Dubai Chocolate Bar: Give your shoppers a taste of the popular Dubai chocolate with this luxurious mixture of Antep pistachios and kadayif. 
• Big Spoon Roasters Pistachio Crunch Almond Butter: Try the best of nut butter worlds with this jar that brings together almonds and pistachios. It’s a velvety, West Coast–inspired concoction that gets a hit of sweetness from organic Vermont maple syrup and just a little bit of Jacobsen sea salt.
• Skinny Mixes Pistachio Syrup: Whether you’re mixing a cocktail or a hot coffee, this syrup delivers the rich flavors of nutty pistachios without any added sugars or calories.
• Táche Pistachio Milk: Did you know it takes less water to produce pistachio milk than almond milk? And the end result is a luscious silky drink that’s perfect for coffee, tea, and drinking on its own. 
• Nomz Pistachio Energy Bites: These organic, four-ingredient vegan energy bites have the satisfying texture of a brownie with tons of nutrients, thanks to an outer layer of crushed pistachios. 

Demand for protein is strong 

“Americans’ obsession with protein isn’t new,” reports Time, “but now, long-standing grocery brands are creating higher protein versions of their usual fare while a flood of new, smaller brands have entered the market selling high-protein everything.” On Faire, this demand goes beyond protein bars (though they were the 17th most-searched item on Faire in February) and meat jerky (searches for Chomps, a popular jerky brand, spiked 56% on Faire from December to February too), as consumers are looking for new and creative ways to get their most popular macro.  

For example, now you’ll see high-protein cereal, like Cheerios and Wheaties. Protein is even making its way into  pastries and cookie doughs. In a report of 2025 food trends, the AP says that “the ‘proteinization’ of foods is here to stay.” So now is the time to stock up on protein-packed food and drinks. 

Need inspiration? We have a few suggestions. 

• Twisted Dough Protein Cookie Dough: This is sweet, smooth, chunky, delightfully delicious cookie dough that you can safely eat right out of the jar. The best part? It’s got 10 grams of protein per serving. 
• Righteous Felon O.G. Hickory Beef Stick: This paleo-friendly beef stick has nine grams of protein per stick and is the perfect grab-and-go snack for hiking, long car rides, post-workout errands, and everywhere in between. 
• Brooklyn Biltong Original Grass Fed Biltong Tender Jerky: Marinated in spices and vinegar, this tender, grass-fed beef jerky changes the snacking game. Plus, one package (one serving) has zero grams of sugar and 32 grams of protein. 
• Aloha Chocolate Sea Salt Protein Drink: Say goodbye to chocolate milk: This perfectly sweet and satisfying protein drink has it all. It’s also organic and fair-trade certified. 
• Protein2o Strawberry Watermelon: This fruity Faire bestseller has 20 grams of whey protein isolate. It’s perfect for sporty people on-the-go, who need their protein fast and in a sweet, refreshing, and hydrating package. 

Charcuterie 

The millennial snack pack is getting a glow-up. We’ve moved on from Girl Dinner and landed on B.Y.O.B. (bring your own board) parties, where hosts serve up sophisticated boards that indulge our desire to graze—without the pots, pans, and cleanup. Of course, charcuterie boards have been around for ages, so why the spike in popularity? Yahoo surmises it’s all about how hosts are able to customize the boards, picking and choosing what sorts of foods to put on them, whether they’re leaning into classic comfort foods or want to try something new. On Faire, retailers mean business: guanciale, mortadella, parmesan, prosciutto, and olives were all top searches for February, with searches for guanciale spiking 920% from December to February, and searches for prosciutto increasing 164% in the same time period. 

And the Progressive Grocer says, “Charcuterie has become a hallmark of entertaining and a focus of eye-catching photos and videos on social media,” which may explain why beautiful boards have been popping up all over Instagram and TikTok beyond the holidays. 

Want to inspire your shoppers to put together boards of their own? Start with these ingredients—maybe make a tasting board for yourself too. 

• McEvoy Ranch Table Olives: These bestselling olives are the perfect accompaniment to a wine and cheese night with friends. The best part: The jar is so pretty, you can put it right on the board, or pour a few olives into a little bowl with some toothpicks and style them yourself. 
• Poshi Basil & Garlic Pitted Green Olives: Stored in a single-serve pouch, these olives are excellent for snacking on-the-go, for skewering in a martini glass, or for placing on a charcuterie board. We love the added basil and garlic flavoring to pair with an Italian-inspired spread. 
• Three Little Pigs Sliced Saucisson Sec: This French-style saucisson sec is the ideal base for a charcuterie board. It’s salty, meaty, and thinly sliced. It’s perfect on its own or with a creamy cheese and crisp cracker. Plus, there are no artificial ingredients or added nitrites. 
• Keystone Farms Cheese Bellavitano Merlot: This gorgeous cheese has an eye-catching purple rind—think of all the pictures people will take! With the deep plum notes of merlot, it goes well on a board with toasted walnuts, prosciutto, and your favorite crackers. 
• Crisp & Co. Savory Pickled Mushrooms: Every charcuterie board needs something punchy and pickled, and these pickled mushrooms are just the thing. With hints of thyme and bay leaf, they’ll pair well with just about any other snacks you’ve got for the party. 

All the masa 

As some consumers are looking to find seed oil alternatives these days, they’re also looking for seed oil–free snacks too. Enter Masa Chips, which are made with beef tallow. They were one of our top-searched snacks in Q1. But it’s not the fat that’s the star here: Searches for masa spiked 87% from December to February. Even Food & Wine says “there’s never been a better time to get to know masa,” and we can’t help but agree. 

If you’re curious about masa, it’s a ground corn dough (you’ve probably had it as a corn tortilla or tamale) that’s gone through the process of nixtamalization, which means it’s been treated with an alkaline agent, like lime. Masa is a staple of Mexican cuisine but has been enjoying more visibility on social media—and it’s making big waves. 

Want to stock up on masa harina and masa snacks? (Especially ones that are seed oil–free?) Here are some of our favorites: 

• Ancient Crunch MASA Traditional Tortilla Chips: Made from simply organic corn, grass-fed beef tallow, and sea salt, these chips are crunchable, snackable, and delicious. Considering how popular they’ve become on Faire, we’re sure they’ll become a new favorite at your store. 
• Masienda Heirloom Blue Corn Masa Harina: This beautiful nixtamalized corn flour is perfect for home cooks who want to try their hand at making everything from tortillas to tostadas, tamales, pupusas, and arepas. We love that there’s a “perfect table tortilla” recipe right on the back of the bag for beginners. 
• Vermont Tortilla Company Fresh Masa: The Vermont Tortilla Company uses volcanic stones to grind the fresh nixtamal into its masa, then it ships it right to your store. (It’s also all organic.) 

Want to learn more about what’s trending this spring? Shop what’s trending in Food this season →