Have plant-based meat alternatives reached a ceiling? The jury is still out, but there is evidence of a consumer acceptance plateau. Why? Consumers are starting to push back on many of these products because they are heavily processed and feature long ingredient listings.
Plant-based meat/burger purchases alone showed a -7% decline last year, and 49% of plant-forward dieters reported eating more meat in the three months from July to September 2022, according to research firm Evergri. Simply put, consumers don’t want products that try to mimic meat, but do so through unrecognizable ingredients. They want clean label alternatives that add texture, flavor and a compelling eating experience.
Walnuts are the perfect ingredient to create the next generation of plant-based products. Here’s three reasons why.
- Walnuts are versatile. They defy the category by adding a real, whole food ingredient that isn’t just a meat mimic. Walnuts add a craveable texture and flavor, while being a familiar and clean label ingredient.
- The flexitarian movement. Walnuts are a wonderful ingredient in plant-based entrées designed for flexitarian eaters who seek to supplant some of their traditional meat consumption with plant-based options. Products such as frozen burritos and rice bowls can use walnuts to give flexitarians protein and texture.
- Walnuts are produce too! A product like walnut ground meat doesn’t have to be confined to the frozen or refrigerated section. Some of the walnut ground meat products in the marketplace today are shelf stable and can be marketed in the produce aisle, among other vegetables and fruits. For example, Glenda’s Farmhouse provides three different versions of its Walnut Crumbles. The shelf-stable products require only the addition of water to create an exceptional plant-based eating experience.
Many food brands have already realized the potential for plant-based products featuring walnuts. Here are some examples:
Amy’s Kitchen’s California Veggie Burger uses a combination of walnuts, bulgur wheat and mushrooms to provide a savory flavor and perfect texture.
Nutcase Vegan Meats produces a line of walnut-based meat alternatives featuring walnuts, brown rice, quinoa and spices. The products are soy-free, GMO-free and gluten-free.
Hella Nuts Plant-Based Ground Vegan Walnut Meat resembles traditional ground meat and comes in an easy-to-use pre-seasoned frozen package.
It’s a pivotal moment for the plant-based foods industry and its ability to bring new consumers to the category. Start formulating the next consumer-friendly walnut-based ground meat substitute by emailing kseiz@walnuts.org for more information.
