Almonds’ nutrient profile, versatility and sustainability practices help product developers meet trends and consumer demand. Available in 14 forms, almonds are an ingredient with endless texture and flavour potential.
October 16, 2024
Sponsored by Almond Board of California
The nutrient profile, versatility and sustainability practices of almonds help product developers meet trends and consumer demand. Available in 14 forms, almonds are an ingredient with endless texture and flavour potential.
© 2024 The Almond Board of California
Almonds have earned their superfood status and a well-documented health halo as they burst with natural goodness and important nutrients such as plant protein, fibre, healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Their excellent nutritional profile and health credentials are backed up by more than 200 scientific research publications, serving to demonstrate the many health benefits almonds offer – from supporting heart health, diabetes, blood sugar control, and weight management, to gut health, exercise recovery, and skin health.
The Almond Board is at the forefront of innovative, responsible agriculture, continually investing in research, alongside climate-smart practices, technological innovations and co-product use to grow almonds in responsible and sustainable ways.
California almond farmers are leaders in water efficiency. Farmers have pioneered the use of cutting-edge technologies and precision farming techniques, such as micro-irrigation systems, soil sensors, and drones, to improve water management and optimise water efficiency. In fact, 83% of California almond farms use micro-irrigation. This commitment to research and innovation means California almond farmers have reduced the water needed to grow each almond by 33% between the 1990s and 2010s, and they are three-quarters of the way to achieving an additional 20% reduction by 2025.
The industry puts everything it grows to optimal use, generating value for farmers and manufacturers towards a circular economy. In fact, almond trees grow four products: Nutritious almonds grow in a shell, protected by a hull, on a tree. The hulls have promising potential as a food ingredient and are also used as animal feed. The hard shells are used as animal bedding or as an addition to post-consumer recycled plastics. And the almond trees are either mulched back into the land at the end of their lives to create healthier soils or are used to create electricity via cogeneration. Putting each of these products to good use helps significantly offset the carbon footprint of growing almonds.4
© 2024 The Almond Board of California
© 2024 The Almond Board of California
Available in 14 forms – more than any other tree nut – almonds are an unparalleled ingredient with endless texture, flavour, and application potential. Almonds are both essential and well-loved, rooted in traditional uses such as baking and confectionary, and as snacks in whole, slivered or chopped form. However, they are also sparking innovation in creative uses such as fermentation or protein enhancing.
Almond Spread With its distinct creamy texture, almond spread can be used to satisfy needs for better-for-me indulgence. As demand for protein and healthy fats reaches new heights, almond spread can be paired with other ingredients to strengthen health claims.
Almond Drink Almond drink applications highlight simple ingredients and clean labels, without compromising on texture. Almond drink concentrate is also starring as an innovation in the plant-based beverage category.
Whole Almonds Whole almond innovation is driven by new preparation methods and flavour diversification. Sprouted and fermented almonds amp up attributes like crunch and gut health benefits.
Almond Flour As plant-based protein sources continue to win market share, almond flour as a natural protein source can be an excellent alternative. Fitting into many different diets, almond flour is gluten-free and low-carb.
Almond Pieces CPGs are using almond pieces, slices, and slivers to provide more crunch for an exciting mouthfeel.
Almond Oil and Extract Almond oil appears in both food and beauty products, containing nutrients like monounsaturated fats and vitamin E.
Almond Hulls Aside from the kernel, the hulls surrounding the almond shells are an exciting product to look out for. As almonds are related to peaches, the fuzzy outside of almonds are nutritious as well, containing healthy fibres and sugars. While traditionally used as animal feed, the renowned Mattson food innovation lab in California is exploring uses for human consumption – for example, as a fibre-enriching ingredient in nutrition bars or as tea or coffee alternatives.
© 2024 The Almond Board of California
Join Harbinder Maan, Associate Director, Trade Marketing, Almond Board of California, and Prof. Dr. Tilo Hühn, Center for Food Composition & Process Design ZHAW and chief engineer RE-NUT for a deep dive into almond co-products, and to learn about research and innovation opportunities and applications.
‘Achieving Zero Waste: Innovation Opportunities with Almond Co-Products’
Wednesday 20 November 2024
FIE Innovation Hub (3.0K101)
13:00–13:30 CET
Meet the Almond Board at booth 3.1L33, USA Pavilion, to learn about almonds’ nutrition, sustainability, and the 14 forms.
For more information, visit: almonds.co.uk.
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