Almonds take top spot as food ingredient worldwide

Almonds have maintained their position as the No. 1 ingredient nut used in new products worldwide, according to reports from the two leading global databases, Mintel and Innova Market Insights, which track new food product introductions.

From 2008 to the present, almonds have been the preferred nut ingredient for food professionals. New nut-containing products with almonds as an ingredient experienced significant growth from 2009 to 2010 in the categories of snacking (26 percent), confectionery (36 percent) and bakery (37 percent). And almond product introductions in North America are at an all-time high following a record 30 percent growth in 2010. Almonds are the only nut to rank in the top two across all key global regions (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.)¹

“Almonds offer a combination of qualities not many ingredients have — great taste, distinct texture and multiple benefits — so it’s not surprising they’re the No. 1 nut food professionals are choosing,” said LuAnn Williams, head of research for Innova Market Insights. “The applications are truly limitless, when I look at the top trends today — from heart health to confectionery innovation — there is a place for almonds in every one.”