Sponsored: Walnuts – one of the world’s original plant-based ingredients

With health foods on the rise and meat-replacement recipes more on demand, now is the time to be experimenting and creating new and improved products or plant-based alternatives. Walnuts have been consumed for over 7,000 years and California Walnuts are a high-quality, food safe, versatile ingredient that provides Omega-3 ALA, protein, fibre and a host of micronutrients to new recipes and products that consumers recognise and will meet clean label initiatives.

Even though 15% of the UK’s population identified themselves as vegan, vegetarian or pescatarian, the rise in concern for healthy ingredients and more plant-based foods has reached the mases as consumers want to reduce the amount of meat in their diets. During 2019, the number of trademarks registered for new vegan food and drink products in the UK more than doubled to a record high for everything from ice cream to meat-free burgers. Major brand like Nestle, Unilever and even McDonalds have offerings meeting consumer demand. And it’s no wonder. According to UnivDatos Market Insights, the global plant-based food market is anticipated to reach a market valuation of US$ 38.4 billion by 2025 expanding at a CAGR of 8.94% during the forecast period (2019–2025). California walnuts has a promising future to be a key ingredient for this significant global trend.

California Walnuts are lighter in colour and have a milder taste compared to walnuts from other origins. California Walnuts have a soft, creamy, texture which makes them an excellent meat-replacement. They provide that umami flavour characteristic associated with meat products and thanks to their high healthy polyunsaturated fat content, also provide the mouthfeel consumers are looking for. With the right spices, additional ingredients, and processing and/or cooking techniques, plant-based meat alternatives using California walnuts will not only create a new taste sensation as a ground meat replacement, burger patty, sausage patty or even bacon-flavoured bits, they provide a well-known ingredient that has 30 years of scientific health studies evaluating walnuts contribution to health. Walnuts are the only nut that has a qualified health claim in the EU specific to heart health.

Concerned about using a nut as an ingredient? An estimated 2 million people in the UK are living with a diagnosed food allergy and over 170 foods are known to cause allergic reactions, according to the statistics on food allergy problems. In the UK, the prevalence of tree-nut allergies is 1.76% (AllergyUK.org). Through clear labelling on package as well as menu, those affected can more easily avoid coming in contact with an ingredient that may cause them harm.

The California Walnut Industry, which has maintained an exceptional food safety record for a century, continues its commitment to producing high-quality, nutritious walnuts for production for use in snacks, menus, and innovative new products to meet today’s consumer demands.

IN ORDER TO KEEP YOUR CALIFORNIA WALNUTS AS FRESH AS THE DAY YOU RECEIVE THEM.

As walnuts will absorb smells from other foods such as onions and cabbage, store shelled or unshelled walnuts in airtight containers and store in a cool, dry place. To keep at optimal freshness, keep them in a refrigerator, or for longer storage, in a freezer for up to a year.

Website: www.californiawalnuts.co.uk

Facebook: @Walnuts.UK

Instagram: @walnuts_uk

Twitter: @Walnuts_UK

To receive further information, where to buy, future initiatives or how we can help you promote your products containing California Walnuts or California Walnut ingredients contact: via e-mail www.californiawalnuts.uk/trade-contact or phone 01628 535 755.

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