The rise of super grains
In part four of Superfood Trends, we dive into the market for super grains. What falls under this category, what’s behind its growth – and what trends are we seeing emerge?
Nutrient-rich foods that are heralded worldwide for their health benefits, grains are both environmentally friendly and an incredibly important part of the human diet. Thus, that they are already super goes without question.
But some grains in particular have been given elevated status above other grains, placing them in high demand within the food and beverage industry. These grains tend to fall under the category of ancient grains – grains that have been largely unaffected by modern farming techniques – and include the likes of amaranth, millet, sorghum, and teff, to name but a few.
Ancient grains for a modern diet
Another factor driving demand of ancient grains is that many are gluten free – making them accessible to the growing number of people worldwide who are gluten intolerant or have coeliac’s disease. We can also see this growth reflected in the global market for ancient grains, which is expected to reach $6.3 billion by 2027 – compared to the roughly $457.35 million generated in 2022.
This in turn has led to a rise in new products hitting the global market, a trend that started around the 1990s when quinoa became more popular. Furthermore, within this niche segment we’ve seen other trends emerge, with various media publications worldwide referring to teff, a very fine grain native to Ethiopia and Eritrea, as “the new quinoa”.
Super grains and the beverage industry
So, between the health benefits they offer, their relatively low carbon footprint, and their allergen-friendly properties, it’s easy to see why super grains are increasingly being used within functional beverages. And there are many opportunities to explore here, not least of which is super grains in powder form – which can add texture and mouthfeel to functional beverages like smoothies and shakes.
SIG’s take on super grains
To help food and beverage manufacturers take advantage of this trend, we offer solutions like drinksplus which make it possible to add food particles including grains to aseptic carton packs. To date, our innovative technology has helped customers like Chinese-based dairy giant Mengniu launch a drinkable meal product containing grains – and with it, a new market segment in the country.
In part five of Superfood Trends, we look at spices and herbs that fall under the superfoods label as well as the impact they’ve had on the beverage industry in particular. What do consumers want, which beverage types have benefited most from this growing market, and how much potential does it hold? Keep updated on this topic and many others by subscribing to our bi-weekly newsletter, SIGnals Update.
- March 02, 2023