Chocolate products with almonds are the preference of consumers around the world, according to the Almond Board of California. The same research concluded that happiness, taste and stress reduction are the top three reasons consumers eat chocolate, which they are consuming an average of 10.6 times per month. Taste and experience play a significant role when consumers are selecing what type of chocolate theyd like.

Nuts, and almonds in particular, have proven to be an important ingredient in chocolate products and trend forecasters see ample opportunity for future growth and innovation in the confectionery category. Globally, chocolate and almonds are consistently enjoyed together, with consumers stating that almonds make chocolate crunchier (81%), more nutritious (82%), satisfying (81%) and more filling (77%). Consumers are also eating the two together quite frequently, consuming chocolate and almond products at an average of three times per month around the world.

"As confectioners stay on top of consumer wants and needs, and look for exciting flavour and ingredient combinations in chocolate concepts, almonds can play an integral part as a familiar and popular, yet versatile ingredient," says Harbinder Maan, associate director, trade marketing and stewardship from the Almond Board of California. "Almonds, as a product and inclusion, add a natural source of texture, flavour and healthy halo to chocolate confections."

The study revealed that 71% of surveyed consumers stated they were more likely to buy chocolate with almonds than any other nut. Further confirming the popularity of the pair; when asked to build their ideal chocolate bar, consumers chose almonds not only as the top nut, but as the number one ingredient overall, taking 44% of overall share. This has been the case since the study launched in 2010, and holds true for milk, dark, and white chocolate bars with almonds.

"Innovation in chocolate is driven by consumer interest in new combinations of textures, flavours and ingredients," explains Lu Ann Williams, director of innovation at Innova Market Insights. "One trend is tastes for new experiences. Thats talking about flavours and textures that are bolder, more authentic or complex. Thankfully, the many different textures of almonds, from smooth almond butter to crunch whole natural almonds, fit perfectly into these trends and are very complimentary in an array of applications. Consumers nowadays are more sophisticated and more adventurous, and open to these pairings.”

With consumer tastes for chocolate expanding into new directions, almonds are a staple ingredient for achieving a variety of textures and rich mouthfeel. With more than 15 forms of varying textures, almonds also pair well with bright, unique and even intense flavours. Whole natural almonds have been popular for chocolate coated almonds and chocolate bars; they also promote healthy positioning and premium appeal. Almond slivers are popular as toppings in or on chocolate bars and in fruit nut clusters, and appeared to bolster the "indulgence" factor with consumers. "Indulgence" is also the dominant positioning platform at the core of all product launches in the chocolate confectionery category. Almond pieces have recently grown in popularity as the favored form in chocolate, surging from 25% in 2014 to almost a third in 2016.