Nostalgia is reshaping global eating trends as consumers increasingly prefer the types of food that are familiar and comforting, according to new research from Ikea.

The global Ikea Cooking & Eating Report finds that four in 10 people actively seek out foods that remind them of childhood, while only 25 per cent want to try new foods more often. The survey was conducted by YouGov for Ikea, with 31,339 participants across 31 markets, including Australia.

Javier Quiñones, global commercial manager of Ikea parent Ingka Group – which offers a steadily expanding range of FMCG products in stores around the world – said the findings show people are holding on to what feels like home in a fast-moving world.

“Food carries memory, identity and comfort in equal measure,” Quiñones said. “It’s part of why we keep asking how to make cooking and eating together a little easier, and a little more joyful, for everyone.”  

Taste preferences vary across generations, with older consumers showing a stronger preference for traditional, familiar foods and a greater attachment to local cuisines and home cooking. Millennials combine a preference for familiar, comforting meals with a strong interest in trying new dishes.

Gen Z consumers are the most likely to explore new cuisines, as they view food as a source of enjoyment, self-expression and social connection.

“These findings show us that the role of food and the kitchen is evolving. That’s why we’re focused on making everyday life easier at home, from daily meals to more playful, unexpected experiences.

“This includes initiatives like our recent tasting events across more than 300 Ikea stores, where we introduced a meatball-flavoured lollipop to bring a little curiosity and joy to how people engage with food,” Quiñones said.