TACKLING GLOBAL TRENDS WITH AND CHOCOLATE

ALMONDS AND CHOCOLATE ARE A PERFECT PAIR

Confectionery is Almonds are the #1 butter appeared the #1 category ingredient that global among the top five for new product consumers include in their fillings/flavors that global introductions “ideal” chocolate product, consumers— particularly with almonds, with 24 percent of and consumers consider almonds the those in the rising markets of India introductions.1 that is the best fit for all chocolate and China— included in their “ideal” types—milk, dark and white.2 chocolate products. TEXTURE TOP OF MIND crunchy

Consumers’ top three texture smooth As textural differentiation becomes a more popular trend, choices in chocolate are: creamy “crunchy” claims have grown fastest in new chocolate launches worldwide.3

Recipes that incorporate multiple ingredients like almonds, pretzels, and fruit can meet demand for interesting textures.

Almond Candied Orange & Dark Chocolate Bark with Pretzels and Coconut Mendiant Candied Slivered Almond & Currants CHEF ANEESH POPAT (UK) CHEF ANEESH POPAT (UK) Candied orange peel, coconut flakes, Slivered, candied almonds, pretzel and chocolate and almonds deliver the currants form a dazzling array of textures perfect combination of textures. in this chocolate bark. Candying almonds Roasted almonds compliment the brings texture to the outside of the slivers, zing of candied citrus and a bring a crunchy texture that while keeping the center soft and toasted. Currants offer fresh, is made more craveable by coconuts’ crispy texture. juicy pops of berry flavors.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS: INDULGENCE AND HEALTH

NATURAL 58% NUTRITIOUS 51% 68%

Almonds carry a healthy halo. of global consumers feel that Recipes incorporating almonds Consumers choose almonds as a chocolate with almonds is more with other inclusions like seeds and snack because they are “natural” nutritious than chocolate made with fruit pack indulgence and texture, and “nutritious.”4 other nuts.2 satisfying snack cravings but fitting into healthful diets.

Almond Goji Berry Chocolate Chocolate Almond Nut Butter with Bonbons Essex Maldon Salt CHEF BRIAN TAN (CHINA) CHEF ANEESH POPAT (UK) Healthful ingredients like almonds A luxurious spread for any occasion, and goji berries come together from an indulgent breakfast to an with dark chocolate in an indulgent afternoon tea, paired with apple slices, bonbon. Almonds pair well with the crackers or enjoyed on its own. lightness of goji berry and hint of rum and salt at the end of the palate.

RARE PAIRS: UNEXPECTED INGREDIENT PAIRINGS

Increasingly adventurous consumers 7 in 10 US and 1 in 2 UK 7 in 10 global consumers5 say they are embracing unusual and hybrid consumers5 like products with mixed love to experiment with new flavors that cross categories or flavors, such as sweet and salty. concepts. explore different cultural influences.

Almond Coriander Truffle Aztec Almond Hot Chocolate CHEF ANNIE RUPANI (US) CHEF ANEESH POPAT (UK) These truffles add elements to Almonds are roasted to release oils and chocolate that aren’t typically enhance flavor before being combined seen together. Coriander’s citrusy, with dark chocolate, cinnamon and chili floral spice is enhanced when in the base blend of this rich, fragrant and toasted and complements the nutty smooth hot chocolate with a hint of spice. caramelized almonds in the delicious praline.

1 Innova Market Insights, Global New Product Introductions Report, 2019. 2 Global Chocolate Study, Sterling Rice Group, 2018. 3 Innova Market Insights, Global Chocolate Report, July 2018. 4 2018 United States AAU: User Group Analysis, Almond Board of California, December 2018. 5 Innova Consumer Survey 2019. Average of U.K. U.S., Spain, France, Brazil, India, Germany, Mexico and China