Nuts have risen to an enviable position on the list of trendy ingredients for a number of reasons. First and foremost, myths about nuts as being unhealthy are being debunked, as a better understanding of their true nutritional composition emerges. Producers are parlaying that information into more savvy marketing pitches to consumers and food technologists. The latter, of course, are focused on the ever elusive, great-tasting, yet healthful food product.

While nuts of all kinds are drawing more attention, a few of the more popular types that have long offered a particularly good fit as ingredients stand out. Almonds and walnuts are enjoying an especially strong surge in recognition for properties deemed valuable in today's food processing climate. From nutritional content to sensory properties to functional versatility, almonds and walnuts offer a grab bag of reasons for food formulators to tap them as role players.