Seeds are taking center stage as a superfood! Thanks to the plant-based food trend, as well as consumers’ fixation on finding easy ways to incorporate more fiber into their diets, seeds have seen a surge in popularity in recent years. From adding seeds to everyday meals in unexpected ways to snacking on seeds throughout the day, consumers are embracing the versatility of seeds, perfectly positioning these products for innovation.
What are the latest seed trends – and how can brands capitalize on them? In this blog, our experts break it down for you, offering their insights into all things seeds and highlighting opportunities for innovation.
Seed Varieties on the Rise
When it comes to seeds, chia continues to reign supreme. With gut health still being among consumers’ top health and wellness priorities, chia seeds will remain among the most popular seed varieties, due to their high fiber and protein content. Beyond their potential health benefits, chia seeds have won consumers over with their versatility and their ability to add a crunchy texture to anything from pudding to pancakes.
Pumpkin seeds – and pepitas, more specifically – are also seeing a surge in popularity. Like chia seeds, pumpkin seeds are sought-after for their potential health benefits and their texture. As consumers have become increasingly intrigued by authentic Mexican cuisine, they’ve become more familiar with pepitas, which are a type of hull-less pumpkin seed commonly used in classic Mexican dishes, including mole and pipian verde. Demand for pepitas will only continue to rise, as consumers have been obsessed with incorporating pepitas into their everyday diets as both an ingredient and a snack.
Given the undeniable influence of the international cuisine trend, brands should keep a close eye on – and consider innovating with – seeds
that are commonly featured in trending global dishes. For example, lotus flower seeds, which are often used in East Asian cuisines, are slowly beginning to pick up steam in foodservice. Similarly, carob seeds, a popular Middle Eastern ingredient, are also beginning to see some growth in bakery items. Look to up-and-coming cuisines for insight into which seeds will be trending next.
How Consumers are Using Seeds
Seeds used to be primarily for snacking and salads, but consumers are coming to appreciate them for their versatility, adding them to a variety of sweet and savory dishes. Social media has thrust chia, flax, and hemp seeds into the spotlight as toppings for trendy yogurt and acai-based breakfast bowls. Brands operating in the breakfast space can capitalize on this trend by adding these trendy seeds to cereals, granola bars, waffles, yogurt, and more.
Trending social media recipes have also highlighted how seeds can be added to baked goods and desserts to offer some nutritional value. In this spirit, brands should consider adding seeds to indulgent products to lean into consumers’ desires to prioritize their health and wellness goals, even when they’re indulging.
Crunchy textures have been in demand with consumers recently, positioning seeds as the perfect topper or addition to non-crunchy foods.
Consumers have been taking advantage of the textures of trending seeds by topping soups with pumpkin seeds, making sesame seed-based crusts for salmon, and incorporating poppy seeds into smoothies. The sky is the limit when it comes to seeds; brands in just about any category can innovate to satisfy consumers’ cravings for crunchy textures by embracing seeds.
Seasoning Blends for Seeds
Whether you’re looking for a seed and seasoning blend to serve as a topping for salads and soups or a seasoning to flavor a seed snack product to perfection, our R&D experts have got you covered! We’ll partner with you to develop a seed product that consumers will totally crave.
Contact us today to see how Fuchs can help you make something special.