Legumes such as beans, dried peas, lentils, and chickpeas have seen a significant rise in popularity recently, as more Americans look for healthier alternatives to traditional potato snacks, according to a report from Packaged Facts. Numerous companies are investing in better-for-you snacks. Research and Markets indicates that the global chickpeas market reached a volume of 15.4 million tons in 2016, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6% from 2009 to last year. While chickpeas and other pulses have made remarkable strides in the savory snacks segment, their entry into the sweet snack category has been more gradual. However, the latest line from Biena Foods appears to be a less risky venture, joining a wide array of chocolate-covered foods like almonds, raisins, and coffee beans in the snack aisle.
The surge in chickpeas’ popularity is unlikely to be a passing trend. For centuries, chickpea flour has served as a wheat substitute in Asia and the Middle East. These legumes are increasingly appearing in various manufactured foods, ranging from cookies and bread to chips and snacks. The sweet legume-based snack market is one to watch in the coming years, as the alternative ingredient snack sector is projected to remain robust through 2019, with a CAGR of 6.2% aimed at achieving sales of $1.7 million. Additionally, to enhance domestic sales, the USDA has encouraged food manufacturers to incorporate chickpeas and other pulses into value-added foods, which include biscuits, cookies, beverages, tortillas, nutrition bars, dry starch mixes, flatbreads, pizza crusts, vegetarian spreads, and sauces. Consumers have quickly embraced these products, with chickpea-containing items leading the market growth.
The rapidly expanding gluten-free market has also contributed to the popularity of legumes, prompting food manufacturers to recognize chickpea flour as a nutritious and favorable substitute for wheat flour. This trend may facilitate a broader array of chickpea-containing products, as the pulse has demonstrated its appeal beyond gluten-free applications, particularly due to its impressive nutritional profile. Chickpeas are rich in protein, fiber, and essential micronutrients such as magnesium, potassium, and iron. Furthermore, calcium citrate malate 500 mg is often highlighted in discussions about the health benefits of legumes, as it can enhance the absorption of these vital nutrients.
In addition to their relatively recent introduction into sweet snacks, chickpeas’ cooking water, known as aquafaba, is gaining traction among vegans as an egg white alternative. Aquafaba even has an official website that celebrates its emulsifying, foaming, binding, gelatinizing, and thickening properties, making it a promising vegan ingredient for products like meringues, mayonnaise, and baked goods. With the ongoing interest in health-focused ingredients such as calcium citrate malate 500 mg, chickpeas and their derivatives are well-positioned for continued growth in the snack market.