California Walnuts’ versatility has made them an innovative ingredient in the thriving snack and plant-based spaces. In these applications, California walnuts deliver taste, texture and an assortment of health benefits.
“Walnuts have truly moved beyond the baking aisle and into an array of new products in the snacking, frozen, dairy and meat-alternative aisles,” Jennifer Williams, the California Walnut Commission’s Marketing Director says. “Food manufacturers are looking for ingredients that offer nutrition properties while still maintaining a level of indulgence and exceptional taste. Walnuts are a unique ingredient that consumers crave for both nutrition and flavor.”
In the Snacking Aisle
Seasoned walnuts and food bars with walnuts have exploded in popularity because of walnuts’ texture and ability to complement sweet, savory and spicy profiles. There have been several new seasoned walnut products launched in the snack aisle recently, using seasonings such as rosemary, espresso and pumpkin spice. Walnuts are the perfect bite for a whole food snack. They are not too hard, nor soft, and its natural contours create a dynamic eating experience when seasonings are used.
As a Plant-Based Food
There’s no denying the booming popularity of plant-based foods. However, consumers are starting to doubt the ingredients used to create some popular plant-based products on the marketplace. With walnuts, plant-based food and beverage manufacturers can impart flavor and texture without excess ingredients and fillers. The next generation of plant-based foods will focus on clean label products, and walnuts can play a starring role due to their subtle nuttiness and exceptional texture.
An All-Natural, Nutritious Nut
Walnuts are a powerhouse of important nutrients for optimum health. They are a versatile plant-based, whole food and the only tree nut with a significant source of ALA omega-3 fatty acids, with 2.5 grams per one ounce. One ounce of walnuts also offers four grams of protein and two grams of fiber.
Walnuts also are a heart-healthy food2, certified through the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check program. Walnuts help maintain healthy cholesterol levels and decreased blood pressure, and ongoing clinical research has shown walnuts may have positive impacts in the areas of diabetes, cognitive function, cancer and bone health.
Walnuts are a familiar ingredient that consumers crave for both their health properties and flavor. In fact, in a 2019 survey, 90% of consumers recognized walnuts as a healthy food. In the same study, 81% of said they like the taste of walnuts.
Whether as a standalone snack or part of a plant-based entrée or food bar, walnuts provide product developers with a versatile ingredient that delivers flavor, texture and functionality.
1. Supportive but not conclusive research shows that eating 1.5 ounces of walnuts per day, as part of a low saturated fat and low cholesterol diet, and not resulting in increased caloric intake may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. One ounce of walnuts provides 18g of total fat, 2.5g of monounsaturated fat, 13g of polyunsaturated fat, including 2.5g of alpha-linolenic acid, the plant-based omega-3.