Baking & Snack - November 2021 - 30

PRETZELS
Pretzels gained
consumer dollars
with their healthier
halo in a moment
when people
wanted to snack.
Unique Snacks
needs with the fun side of snacking, according to the
Mintel report. Ingredient innovation can play a role
in elevating nutrition while still providing a positive
snack experience.
" Unique has always offered a high-quality version of
pretzels, and they have always been made with simple
and clean ingredients, " Mr. Spannuth noted " For customers
seeking a little extra indulgence, we offer chocolate-covered
pretzels on a seasonal basis. We also have
a variety of pretzel dips, including an award-winning
honey mustard. "
While Mintel found that 77% of consumers are interested
in trying alternative ingredients, it does not have
to mean sacrificing great taste for the sake of nutrition.
A measured approach to innovation is best.
" Producers can leverage the perception of pretzels
as a low-fat, clean label, healthier snack that still delivers
a salty crunch. Innovating with real, BFY ingredients
and interesting flavor and recipe combinations
can help brands stay competitive and meet demand for
snacks that promote health while tasting good, " Ms.
Williams said.
Bold flavors with format twists
Consumer demand necessitates flavor contrasts for
snacks, according to Innova Market Insights. New versus
traditional and strong versus light flavors, such as
salted egg yolk, paprika or light rosemary, are resonating
globally on products positioned as premium.
" Flavor innovation is critically important to snack
foods. We have and will continue to invest in new flavor
varieties that excite our current consumers and create
new fans, too. We are doing this with hotter flavors,
cheese flavors and other full-flavor offerings. Our kitchen
specialists continually develop new and exciting flavors
for millennials and more, " Mr. Blubaugh said.
Appealing to younger demographics creates momen30
Baking & Snack November 2021 / www.bakingbusiness.com
tum for pretzels. Millennials were the largest purchaser
of pretzels, 44%, according to a Mintel survey conducted
in January 2021. This is significant, because millennials
are typically more frequent snackers, and they are likely
to parent and influence the next generation of snackers.
" We see that millennials and the younger generations
are rediscovering their love of pretzels, " Ms. Sasser observed.
" On the flavor front, we see spicy and cheese
profiles continue to resonate for pretzels, and we have
introduced offerings that reflect these trends with more
exciting products to come this spring. "
Internationally inspired flavors appeal to millennial
and Generation Z consumers. Bold, sweet and spicy seasonings,
such as Korean barbecue, turmeric, cumin seeds
and even Spanish ham flavor have been used on newer
salty snack products reviewed in Innova's database.
" The flavor trend continues to flourish in all snacking
categories, including pretzels, " Ms. Sasser said. " Our
main innovation for Snyder's of Hanover capitalized on
this trend introducing two new flavors of our craveable
2020 innovation, Twisted Pretzel Sticks. They are
now available in seasoned Sour Cream and Onion and
Jalapeno Ranch. "
Mr. Spannuth observed seasoned braids to be the biggest
trend in pretzels this year, despite years of movement
toward BFY, gluten free, Non-GMO and organic.
" This trend has bucked them all with no concern for
cost or health claims. It's caught on like wildfire with every
brand scurrying to get a piece of the pie. This certainly
has me rethinking what is real and what is possible, "
he added.
Flavors can also help connect consumers to their
surroundings and allow them to explore new cuisines
within the snacking experience, according to the Mintel
report. Tapping into different parts of the day, events or
seasonal holidays creates strong associations between
the flavor and occasion. LTOs and partnerships allow
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