Trader Joe's wants to help consumers step up their soup and salad game with its super crunchy new Plantain Croutons.
Trader Joe's Plantain Chips are one of the chain's most popular snacks because of their savory flavor and deliciously satisfying crunch. Now the chain is using the same ingredient to make crunchy gluten-free croutons for soups, salads, and more. Trader Joe's new Plantain Croutons are made by a supplier in Ecuador who specializes in producing plantain-based snacks. The supplier specifically uses green plantains, which are a bit starchier, lower in sugar, and have a more potato-like texture compared to the yellow plantain variety. As Trader Joe's explains, those properties translate "to a superior crunch in every Crouton, despite containing no gluten."
Gluten-Free Plantain Croutons
Trader Joe's Plantain Croutons are Crunchy and Flavorful
Trend Themes
1. Plantain-based Snacks - The increasing demand for gluten-free snacks and the growing interest in plant-based diets creates an opportunity for new plantain-based snacks to enter the market.
2. Alternative Croutons - The rise of alternative diets (gluten-free, vegan, keto, etc.) creates an opportunity for new types of croutons made from unique ingredients such as plantains.
3. International Snack Suppliers - The search for unique, flavorful snacks creates an opportunity for businesses to partner with international snack suppliers who specialize in producing local snacks that cater to a growing interest in international cuisines.
Industry Implications
1. Snack Food Industry - The growing demand for gluten-free, healthy snacks and alternative snacks is driving innovation and competition in the snack food industry.
2. Food Retail Industry - The growing interest in alternative diets and unique snack options creates an opportunity for food retail businesses to differentiate themselves by offering innovative and unique products like plantain-based snacks.
3. International Trade Industry - The growing interest in international foods creates an opportunity for the international trade industry to facilitate the import and export of unique, flavorful snacks from different countries that cater to the growing demand for international cuisines.