Food trend rankings from 2016 continue to captivate, and Google's Year in Search data offers a fascinating snapshot. The tech giant revealed the most popular recipe searches among French and American users that year. French searches leaned heavily toward sweets, while Americans favored savory comforts—contrary to common stereotypes.
In France, crêpes—a beloved national specialty—dominated the podium. Silver and bronze medals went to Anglo-Saxon treats: cookies in second and pancakes in third. Tiramisu ranked fifth in the top 10, aligning with its popularity on delivery platforms. For savory options, French favorites shone through: quiche Lorraine at fourth and tartiflette at sixth.
American searches highlighted homey specialties like Green Bean Casserole (green beans, mushroom soup, and fried onions baked together) in first, Hashbrown Casserole (cheddar and potatoes) in third, and Chicken Tetrazzini (creamy pasta with chicken and mushrooms, named for an Italian opera singer) in sixth. Global flavors also thrived: guacamole fourth, Chicken Marsala fifth, and Snow Cream (an Asian-inspired dessert) seventh. The real eyebrow-raiser? Brussels sprouts in second place.
Who knew Americans would embrace these humble veggies so enthusiastically?
