19 May 2022 --- French manufacturer Ecotone is investing €20 million (US$21 million) to increase its production capacity of plant-based beverages by 30%. The company has focused on growing its... Read More

04 May 2022 --- Bold, multidimensional snack flavors and formats are exciting consumers’ senses in the post-pandemic paradigm. This is especially evidenced by the rising popularity of fusion... Read More

02 May 2022 --- Plant-based dairy alternatives have been gaining traction in industry for years. However, as consumers are demanding more from their dollars, more are starting to learn about the... Read More

26 Apr 2022 --- Fruits and vegetables have long-held mainstay status in product development. Yet even still, new iterations of texturizing, flavoring and coloring solutions made from fresh harvests... Read More

26 Apr 2022 --- Sokol has launched a range of better-for-you citrus-based sauces and dressings. The US company will include gluten, soy, nut, dairy and egg-free offerings. 

25 Nov 2019 --- While the plant-based market is growing, it is still very small. This is according to Jacques van Diermen at Anuga 2019, who explains how the street-food trend is now well-known throughout Europe. However, there are some regional challenges for the Netherlands-based company, which has found that its traditional Dutch products such as cookies filled with almond paste do not sell well abroad. Instead, the company has found success with American-style cookies, which are internationally popular.

02 Aug 2019 --- Cosucra continues to strengthen its position in the North American market through their pea protein expansion. At IFT 2019, the company presented a vegetarian plant-based muffuletta slider [a New Orleans classic] containing their Swelite, Pisane M9 and Swelite ingredients as a system. A dairy alternative beverage containing a blend of almond milk and pea protein was also presented, while a chocolate oatmeal gluten-free cookie was another highlight. “Our US-based subsidiary Cosucra Inc. was created about one year ago because demand for plant-based protein is forecast to grow significantly. In the last 12 months, we have positioned our strategy which goes beyond health & nutrition and increasingly looks at the food & beverage business,” Frank Truong at Cosucra says.

30 Jul 2019 --- Agrana presented several concepts featuring oat milk, including a cold brew with an oat milk base, a cinnamon toast cereal and a protein enriched plant-based dairy alternatives, with pea-based, hemp-based solutions. “We are really seeing a lot of movement into oat because of how close it is to milk. If you look at soy, it was further away, but now we are seeing more movement within the almond milk and coconut milk space, with oat milk really emerging as a rising star,” Felicia Francisco at Agrana notes. The company also presented an oat milk with salted caramel, as well as various fruit-containing concepts, including high pressure processed raspberry, peach and mango options.

21 Jun 2019 --- Blue Diamond Growers presented almond protein, which is presented for its plant-based origin and clean taste at IFT 2019. “We have had almond flour in our portfolio for some time, which is great in bakery applications. More recently we have had almond protein powder, which is a partially defatted almond flour, which in some cases is a great way to increase the protein and add fiber as well. It works well in bakery applications and bars,” says Kurt Waananen at Blue Diamond Growers.

20 Jun 2019 --- The Almond Board of California featured several innovative concepts featuring almonds at IFT 2019 in New Orleans. Items on display included a Toasted Grains & Almond Beverage, an Almond Yuzu Poppy Seed Bar and a Coco-Java Almond Butter. “We are really highlighting the versatility of almonds. Almond milk continues to be a very hot category and here we have added some toasted grains to bring those two flavors together,” says Emily Fleischmann of the Almond Board of California.

26 Jul 2021 --- Chocolate chefs from the US, UK and Mexico used survey responses from the Almond Board of California’s 2020 Global Chocolate Study to create “ideal chocolate bars” for consumers, revealing both regional nuances and global commonalities. See how developers can bring research on consumer preferences for almonds and chocolate to life.

09 Nov 2020 --- Consumers continue to snack throughout the day in place of three large, dedicated mealtimes, fueling the growth of snack products that span dayparts and occasions. Explore how different almond forms offer endless solutions, shelf life benefits and opportunities for healthy nutrition for all types of consumers.

02 Jun 2020 --- As consumers become increasingly adventurous with their food choices, snack products have evolved to include new hybrids and unusual combinations. Learn why hybrids were identified as one of the 2020 top ten food trends by Innova Market Insights and discover new global product examples utilizing California almonds a key ingredient.

16 Mar 2020 --- Almonds remain the number one ingredient in global consumers’ ideal chocolate products, with these products rated as tastier, more energizing and more premium.¹ As on-the-go snacking continues to rise in popularity, manufacturers can seek opportunities with chocolate snack development that can span all-day with help from California almonds. ¹ Global Chocolate Study, Sterling Rice Group, 2018.

25 Sep 2015 --- VIOGERM® wheat germ is the perfect solution to combat the high prices of hazelnuts and almonds. VIOGERM® is the most valuable part of the wheat grain, rich in protein, fibre, minerals and vitamins. The sweet and nutty flavour of VIOGERM® provides a consistent taste. Using various VIOGERM® granulations as a nut replacement you can retain the texture of your pastries. You can also use VIOGERM® to replace nuts in your biscuits, nut fillings, cakes and flans. As well as reducing the cost of your ingredients, it also cuts down the fat content in your product.

25 Sep 2020 --- New takes on traditional flavors are emerging in the snacking sector as consumers seek both comfort and a disruption from routine. Meanwhile, health remains an important driver of NPD.

26 Feb 2020 --- Key suppliers offer their thoughts on trends to look out for in confectionery applications. Sugar reduction and the naturality trends are driving innovations in the space.

08 Jan 2020 --- Key suppliers offer their thoughts on trends to look out for in 2020. How do we meet the demands for taste, convenience and sustainability? 

01 Oct 2019 --- Suppliers in the bakery and snacking segments give their forecasts. What are consumers looking for, and why? What innovations are most likely to succeed, and how can suppliers meet market demands?

13 Sep 2018 --- Key suppliers offer their thoughts on trends impacting the bakery & snacking segments. What should we be looking out for in terms of flavor and texture trends?

Globalization is sparking the consumer’s curiosity to discover new food and drinks, and that includes a curiosity for novel snacks. Since eating plant-based is becoming mainstream,... Read More

Globalization has sparked in consumers a curiosity to discover new flavors, food and drinks. At the same time, growing awareness about the role of nutrition in overall health is prompting... Read More

19 Jul 2021 --- Demand for functional food continues to grow with more and more consumers looking for foods with a specific health benefit. Join Swati Kalgaonkar, Associate Director, Nutrition Research Programme at the Almond Board of California and Lu Ann Williams, Global Insights Director at Innova Market Insights as they highlight this growing trend, exploring demand for food with skin health credentials, and how developers can respond using California almonds.

23 Jan 2019 --- California’s almond farmers and processors have publicly committed to four new goals that build on decades of previous achievements and further demonstrate the industry’s commitment to growing almonds in better, safer and healthier ways, while protecting local communities and the environment. The Almond Orchard 2025 Goals set industry-wide targets in the areas of water efficiency, zero waste, pest management and air quality, in a state that produces 80 percent of the world’s supply of almonds. Almond Board of California President and CEO, Richard Waycott stresses how sustainability has been a key pillar for almond growers in the state for 30 years. FoodIngredientsFirst spoke to Richard about the commitments, the criticism of the sector during the drought and the current turbulence in international trade.

17 Mar 2022 --- Indulgence is an essential element of confectionery products, but how can manufacturers also answer the call for "better for you" chocolate products without compromising on taste and texture? Chocolate category and consumer data from Innova Market Insights and the Almond Board of California indicate multiple ways "better for you" formulations are leading to compelling product claims. View examples of new product development and inspirational recipe concepts that demonstrate how to stay at the cutting edge of the confectionery category.

08 Jul 2021 --- As demand for plant-based, dairy alternative products continues to accelerate worldwide, consumers are focusing on their choices: not only great taste and texture but cleaner, easier-to-understand labels as well. Developing spoonable yogurt alternatives with almond, oat and other plant-based protein sources requires multifunctional ingredient solutions that can address these consumer needs and overcome formulation challenges. In this timely webinar, Innova Market Insights and CP Kelco will share useful insights about the global market for plant-based spoonable yogurts and show how CP Kelco can help you unlock nature-powered success through innovation with its unique portfolio of sustainably sourced and produced ingredients.

28 May 2020 --- The popularity of products that cross the snacking and confectionery categories has grown in recent years, with more and more products featuring a sweet twist alongside healthful ingredients. Additionally, consumers are purchasing indulgent comfort foods to help deliver joy during difficult days of at-home confinement caused by the spread of the coronavirus. The Almond Board of California’s 2018 Global Chocolate survey shows that four out of five global consumers say chocolate is their favorite snack or one of their favorites when they are looking to indulge. Moreover, Innova Market Insights identified hybrids as one of its top ten trends for 2020, evidenced by consumers continuing to enjoy products that offer on-the-go indulgence.

09 Oct 2019 --- Plant-based proteins have the market buzzing, with food and beverage innovations arriving frequently on store shelves. But formulating beverages with alternative protein sources—whether soy, almond, oat, pea or rice – can present challenges, especially in meeting consumers’ expectations for taste, texture and visual appeal. In this timely webinar, Innova Market Insights and CP Kelco share useful insights about the global dairy alternatives market, the key challenges when formulating these products, and how KELCOGEL® Gellan Gum – a nature-based, fermentation-derived ingredient – serves as a unique, multifunctional solution in the product developer’s toolkit.

08 May 2019 --- In this 40-minute webinar, Lu Ann Williams of Innova Market Insights showcases the latest chocolate with almond product trends from across the globe focusing innovative ingredients and key labeling insights to help manufacturers get ahead of what consumers are looking for. Chocolatier Christopher Curtin of Éclat Chocolate shares recipes and inspiration to his development process that align with the latest consumer trends.