Fruits have their day with Cheerios, tortilla chips get a makeover and chocolate pretzels become part of a full-fledged snack mix: Our roundup of what's new on the shelf this spring.
Xica Jicama Snacks
Mexican producer Xica has launched a line of organic jicama snacks. Jicama is a prebiotic Mexican yam bean with a creamy white flesh and mildly sweet, crisp texture similar to an apple.
The company worked for seven years to ‘understand the molecular structure’ of the plant before producing the snacks for market.
The jicama spears and chips have a 22-day shelf life and come in packaging that has an easy opening, available across the US for a RRP of RRP $4.49.
The company also makes ready-to-eat ‘tacos’ – a base of jicama topped with fruits or vegetables, such as pineapple, cream cheese and strawberry, or kale and spinach.
Siete Grain Free Taco Shells
Customers constantly requested hard-shell versions of Siete’s grain free tortillas, and so the Austin, Texas-based company finally unveiled them at Whole Foods across the US last month. They will roll out to other retailers this summer at a RRP of $5.99 for a 12-pack.
The grain-free tortillas are made from cassava flour, avocado oil, pumpkin seed meal and powder, plus salt and psyllium husk powder.
“When creating new products, we always ask the question, how can we solve problems for our customers while also staying true to ourselves?” said Veronica Garza, co-founder and president of Siete Family Foods.
“We want to make products that are inspired by our heritage, but also allow people to enjoy foods they haven’t been able to in years. The taco shells feel like a perfect marriage of the two.”
The new offering joins Siete's portfolio of grain-free tortillas and chips made from almond, cassava, chickpea and cashew flours, hot sauce and vegan queso made from cashews.
Lundberg Bold Bites Chips
The California company, known for its rice snacks, has launched a line of ‘Bold Bites’ tortilla chips made from a blend of organic rice, corn and black chia seeds.
The non-GMO, gluten-free chips – made with a high-oleic sunflower oil – are bite-sized for easy snacking, with or without a dip.
Lundberg took note of recent flavor trends and came up with six popular ‘food truck’ flavors, including Sea Sale, Cheese Pizza, Street Taco, Korean Style BBQ, Mango Chile and Samosa.
All but the cheese flavor – made with certified kosher dairy – are vegan.
Available from select retailers around the US, a 5oz bag has an RRP of $2.99.
Arnott’s Cracker Chips
The Australian biscuit maker has developed a hybrid cracker-chip, rolling it out in six flavors, including Sea Salt & Vinegar, Sweet Chili & Sour Cream, Honey Soy Chicken, and two wheat versions in Salted Multigrain and Cheddar & Chives.
The roasted cracker-chips hit Australian retail shelves in April.
Flipz Shareable Snack Mix
pladis North America has created a ‘shareable’ Flipz Mix that includes a combo of milk chocolate pretzels, regular pretzels, popcorn and candy-coated chocolate pieces.
A second flavor will swap out the chocolate pretzels for those covered in white fudge, and will add dried cranberries.
"With the minutia of everyday life, we felt inspired to 'remix' the way our consumers typically snack," said Carlos Canals, MD of pladis North America.
Available at convenience outlets across the US, a 4oz bag has an RRP of $2.49, while a 6.5oz bag has an RRP of $3.49.
Flipz expects to spread the product to additional retailers later this year.
Blueberry Cheerios
The new cereal variant – made with blueberry puree and natural flavors – will be a permanent addition to the Cheerios portfolio, parent company General Mills told BakeryandSnacks.
The cereal giant has tinkered with an array of flavors in recent years: Maple became a permanent flavor last year and Chocolate Peanut Butter in 2017, while Banana Nut, Pumpkin Spice and Peach have popped up as limited editions. (Apple Cinnamon was introduced in 1998.)
Like all Cheerios, the Blueberry is gluten-free, and one serving provides 14g of whole grains.
The new variant is available across the US for an RRP of $3.99 for a 10.8oz box and $4.99 for a 19.8oz box.
Rowdy Blueberry Almond Tart Bar
Rowdy Prebiotic Foods started selling its superfood bars last year, focusing on flavors rich in nut butters, coconut or chocolate.
The new flavor is sweetened with blueberries and apple juice, combined with almond butter and the brand’s go-to yacon root syrup.
According to the company, all Rowdy Bars are made with at most 10 ingredients and without artificial flavors. The bars are also non-GMO and free from gluten, soy and dairy.
Available online from the company for a RRP of $2.99.
