A flavor favorite and a nutrition powerhouse, pecans are cropping up in more and more snack innovations and are being heralded as the fastest growing nut in new snack applications.
From creamy nut butters and spicy seasoned nuts to functional protein bars and even plant-based meat alternatives, pecans provide sought-after flavor and functional benefits that can enhance a variety of applications. In fact, over the past decade, new product introductions featuring pecans increased by 54% (Mintel) and today 9 in 10 consumers are interested in purchasing products with pecans (Datassential).
Pecans versatility and ability to complement a wide range of flavor profiles including sweet, spicy, smoky, salty and savory makes it easier for product developers to tap into today’s snack trends.
Five Reasons Pecans Crack Open New Product Potential
1. Consumer Appeal: With a long history of being a holiday favorite, pecans are now a sought-after nut in a wide range of nutritious foods and beverages available year-round. Seventy-seven percent of consumers like or love the rich, buttery flavor pecans bring to a finished product and 70 percent would like to enjoy pecans all year (Datassential). The appetite for pecans also translates to increased purchase intent for certain applications. An analysis by Datassential revealed that consumers are seeking pecans specifically in snacks like trail mixes while still enjoying their use in desserts like cookies, pie and ice cream.
2. Flavor Versatility: Known for their rich buttery texture and naturally sweet taste, pecans have a long tradition as an iconic nut for baking and confectionary applications. But, given America’s love for the flavor and pecan’s ability to pair with a variety of flavor combinations, product developers and research chefs are now looking outside these traditional categories to capitalize on pecan’s potential in a wide array of applications including protein bars, energy bites, savory spreads, cheese-based dips and even meat and dairy alternatives.
3. Endless Texture Potential: Texture can help shape the sensory experience of the product and plays a pivotal role in formulation development. And, as consumers demand fewer ingredients, product developers are seeking whole, wholesome ingredients that can contribute texture to create tantalizing sensory experiences. From pleasing crunch to comforting creaminess to a satisfying chew, pecans deliver the perfect bite and help product developers tap into next-level texture and mouthfeel in a variety of applications.
4. Premium Appeal: The addition of pecans helps elevate the eating occasion, offers a more upscale quality to a finished product and adds value that some consumers are willing to pay more for it. For those who desire pecans, the majority will pay more for those products, including snacks, trail mixes, cookies, pie and ice cream (Datassential). As more and more manufacturers include on-pack claims to communicate the premium custom nutrition of a product, pecans can be included in a variety of in-demand categories including plant-based, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, keto and paleo.
5. Superfood Nutrition: When it comes to pecans, great taste is just the beginning. While pecans are increasingly featured in functional foods, they’re still a dessert and confectionary favorite. In fact, the addition of pecans adds a good-for-you element to these sweets, which consumers are constantly seeking.
To learn more about the power of pecans, consumer trends and product concepts, visit eatpecans.com/professionals
