The English language is constantly changing and evolving, making it difficult to keep track of the influx of new words added to the dictionary.

Science, technology, pop culture, sports, and a wide variety of fields have influence over our vernacular. The food world can be counted among these influences, and that is reflected in the latest additions to the dictionary.

Merriam-Webster recently announced that over 1,000 words have been added to its ever-changing collection. Included in this are 30 food-related words, and a few of those are very trendy right now. The two that will catch the eye of baking professionals are macaron and flatbread.

While macaroons (small cookies made with egg whites, sugar, and coconut), have been in the dictionary for some time, macaron (referring to brightly colored cookies that are meringue-based) is a new addition. Many are guilty of confusing these two words, but they are distinctly different things.

flatbread, bakery

Flatbread has been a popular bread choice in recent years at foodservice establishments for a variety of uses such as sandwiches and pizza. It has grown along with the success of artisanal products in general. It is a unique offering that provides both taste and versatility, which would explain its rise in references.

Here are the rest of the food words that made the cut, courtesy of Refinery29:

  • acai
  • Alfredo sauce
  • American chop suey
  • arancini
  • artisanal
  • calamondin
  • chef’s knife
  • chicken mushroom
  • chicken of the woods
  • circus peanut
  • coconut milk
  • coconut water
  • d’Anjou
  • elderflower
  • EVOO
  • farro
  • flatbread
  • food secure
  • food insecure
  • food truck
  • immersion circulator
  • macaron
  • Minneola tangelo
  • noni
  • olericulture
  • red bliss
  • santoku
  • secret sauce
  • Shirley Temple
  • strata