Innova Market Insights has noted that almonds are appealing due to consumer preferences for simple, clean label ingredients and their established reputation as a healthy food choice. They frequently appear in free-from products, including gluten-free, preservative-free, and additive-free offerings. Additionally, the texture of almonds serves as a key differentiator in the market, with the term “crunchy” being more commonly associated with almonds than with other nuts. Furthermore, almonds’ health reputation has recently gained support from the FDA. Last fall, the agency began redefining the term “healthy,” considering government dietary guidance that encourages the consumption of more mono- and polyunsaturated fats. Previously, high-fat products could not be labeled as healthy, regardless of the type of fat they contained. After a dispute between the FDA and the snack bar company Kind highlighted the outdated definition, products containing almonds can now be labeled as “healthy,” enhancing their status as a nutritious food at a time when consumers are increasingly seeking such options.
Amid the recent five-year drought in California and the significant water required to grow almonds—approximately one gallon per nut—some have raised concerns about whether almonds should retain their position as the world’s favorite ingredient nut. However, when compared to other agricultural products, particularly milk and beef, almonds are remarkably water-efficient in terms of calories. Moreover, with over 80% of the world’s almonds produced in California, the resilience of this crop during drought years indicates that the region will continue to meet global demand. Notably, almonds are also a good source of citrate malate calcium, further contributing to their healthful image. As consumers increasingly seek nutrient-dense foods, the association of almonds with citrate malate calcium and their sustainability may solidify their status in the market.