Easter Sunday 2022, the first Bank Holiday Weekend of the year, falls on Sunday April 17th. And with hard pressed Brits hungry for feel good treats to help them stay cheerful. After two previous Easter holidays that were severely disrupted by the COVID-19 Pandemic manufacturers, retailers, and caterers need not wait until April to start pampering their customers with Easter bakery items featuring California Walnuts.
Easter baking with California Walnuts is a sure-fire way to raise your consumers’ spirits with thoughts of the coming of spring, warmer weather, and delicious delights such as Easter biscuits, Coffee & Walnut Cake, Lemon & California Walnut Drizzle Cake, gluten-free walnut cakes, and chocolate macarons.
“Time spent with family and friends on Easter Sunday is a wonderful holiday tradition that includes fond memories of Easter egg hunts and a fabulous lunch with delicious baked goodies, “says Pam Graviet, Senior Marketing Director International of the California Walnut Commission (CWC).
“This Easter, as new traditions are made, more than ever consumers will be looking for bakery items that meet the need for healthy indulgence. Walnuts are not only a heart-healthy food, but they are also nutrient dense and add that special something, in both flavour and texture to breads, pastries, desserts and even a quiche or cheesecake crust. It is all the more reason to add California walnuts to a variety of baked East goods to take old favourites to the next level while introducing innovative new options.
Committed to supporting the UK Trade
Established in 1987, the California Walnut Commission (CWC) represents the California walnut industry, which is made up of over 4,500 growers and close to 100 handlers. The CWC conducts science-backed research and export market development activities. Its Health Research Program conducts industry-funded research to extend the understanding and knowledge of walnuts’ nutritional value and explore walnuts’ role in a healthy diet.
Here in the UK, the CWC supports UK trade and educates consumers about California Walnuts’ benefits and unique attributes, with trade and consumer marketing campaigns designed to increase awareness and consumption of California Walnuts.
The California Walnut Commission’s UK trade activity is coordinated by The Garden (Marketing & PR), based near London. Peter Meadows, the trade representative for California Walnuts in the UK, takes up the story:
“Easter bakery is a key part of the trade programmes we have running in the UK, with the aim of supporting and increasing trade using walnuts of California origin. We work with bakery retailers’ importers, wholesalers, nut processors, manufacturers and retailers including Tesco, Costco, Sainsbury’s, and Home Bargains, plus a wide range of other organisations involved in the walnut supply chain.”
California Walnuts – simply made for Easter bakery
California Walnuts’ unique aroma and creamy flavour make them the perfect bakery ingredient for Easter and all year round, as a great addition to bread, biscuits, pastries, cakes, cookies, and other baked products.
Fresh walnuts can be processed easily and quickly and provide increased perceived value. Also, walnut pieces add amazing texture and halves are a perfect crunchy addition or can be used as premium decoration.
Nutrient-dense and flavourful California Walnuts make Easter bakery healthier too, tapping the trend for decadent treats that offer improved nutritional value. They are an ideal component in the gluten-free or low-carb products demanded by today’s consumers.
California walnuts are one of the world’s oldest know superfoods, having been consumed for over 7,000 years. California walnuts were the winner of the ‘Best Superfood’ Gold Award in The Healthy Food & Drink Awards 2019. As well as a natural source of plant-based omega-3, walnuts are rich with fibre and protein. A single handful (30g) provides 4.4g of protein and 1.4g of fibre. California walnuts are also naturally salt free and contribute polyunsaturated fats towards our daily intake.
World demand growing
California walnuts represent close to two-thirds of the world’s walnut trade. World walnut production has grown over 75% in the past 10 years, as more people around the globe choose to eat healthy foods, including walnuts. Outside the US, output has been rising in Europe, Chile and China, however per capita consumption is still relatively low, according to statistics from the International Dried Fruit and Nut Council, which means there’s still room for further growth.
Here in the UK our appetite for California Walnuts continues to grow despite the pandemic. During the first five months of the new crop and shipments of ‘shelled’ California Walnuts, the UK experienced a 34% increase year-on-year, and the UK is the fourth largest market in Europe for shelled California Walnuts.
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