California walnuts account for 99% of the commercial U.S production. But did you know they also make up two-thirds of the world trade?
As walnuts are such an integral part of many cultural dishes, we at the California Walnut Board have agencies around the world informing us what chefs are serving and what’s trending globally. These agencies gathered in Napa recently to share ideas and trends around everything walnut. Here’s what some of them had to share:
- South Korea reported that 1 out of 4 households in Seoul is now a single-person household. That’s 12 million people, and a major change from traditional Korean family living. It’s driving major changes in eating habits too…leading to a growing Home Meal Replacement market, casual meals at cafes and even grocery stores, and the coining of the term “Hon-Bob” (solo dining). Walnut butters are also feeding into this trend, with unusual flavor combinations including Kale walnut spread and Yuzu walnut spread.
- As a predominately Muslim country, Turkish consumers rely heavily on halal products and cuisine. In fact, the Turkish “Halal Tourism” sector is growing quickly with an upwards of 150 Halal resorts in the country. Additionally, research reveals that Turkish eating habits have shifted towards eating out, largely due to factors such as urbanization, increase in per capita income, and the increase in the number of working women (USDA GAIN REPORT-TR6035). 25 new products also launched in 2016 with walnuts as one of the main ingredients, including Halva with walnuts.
- Germany reported that California walnuts have the reputation as a premium product and are well accepted among consumers. Further, the usage of walnut paste allows for a more varied use of the ingredient. In fact, 51 new products that included walnuts as a main ingredient were launched in 2016, including 12 bakery/bread products.
For more inspiration, check out some of our California walnut recipes from around the world:
- Spring Rolls with Walnut Sauce (Japan)
- Savory Turkish Pilaf (Turkey)
- Walnut Streusel Pie with Apricots (Germany)
- Tofu Stuffed with California Walnuts and Shiitake (China)
- Dulce de Leche and Walnuts Alfajores (Spain)
- Honey Walnut Chocolate Glazed Tart (Italy)
