# Trail Mix-Themed Nut Butter Earth Balance's Crunchy Spreads Take Inspiration from Snack Mixes By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2018-03-14 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crunchy-spreads References: [livekindly.co](https://www.livekindly.co/earth-balance-to-launch-vegan-trail-mix-nut-butters/) & [earthbalancenatural](https://earthbalancenatural.com/product/creamy-peanut) Earth Balance's current [nut butter range](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/protein-peanut-butter) includes some creamy and some crunchy options, but at Natural Products Expo West in California, it unveiled a trio of new crunchy spreads that take inspiration from [trail mix](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fluffer-nutter-trail-mix). The new varieties include: Coffee Chocolate Crunch, Cran Seed Crunch and Choco Pretzel Crunch, all of which are branded as a 'Trail Mix Blend.' These new products are bound to be flavor- and texture-rich, appealing to fans of [crunchy peanut butter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cashew-hazelnut-cocoa-spread) who are looking for exciting new alternatives. If these new products are anything like the existing ones that are now offered by the brand, they will be non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, naturally sweetened with agave and free from trans fat. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.3/10 - Popularity: 5% | Activity: 26% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Trail Mix-inspired Nut Butters:** Opportunity for creating unique nut butter flavors by incorporating trail mix-inspired ingredients. - **Texture-rich Nut Butters:** Opportunity for developing nut butter products with exciting textures to cater to consumers seeking variety. - **Health-conscious Nut Butters:** Opportunity for creating nut butter options that are non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, naturally sweetened, and trans fat-free. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Food Manufacturing:** Opportunity for food manufacturers to innovate in the nut butter industry by introducing trail mix-inspired flavors. - **Natural and Organic Products:** Opportunity for natural and organic product companies to expand their offering with texture-rich nut butter products. - **Alternative Food Products:** Opportunity for alternative food product brands to cater to health-conscious consumers by creating nutritious nut butter options. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Grab-and-Go Nut Butter Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chilled-nut-seed-butter-bars.md) - [Six-Ingredient Seed Butters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mixed-up-seed-butter.md) - [Free-From Peanut Butter Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/whole-earth-100-nuts.md) - [Sprinkle-Infused Nut Butters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marzipan-with-sprinkles-nut-butter.md) - [Crunchy Peanut Butter Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peanut-butter-snacks1.md) - [Blended Granola Butters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/micheles-granola-butter.md) - [Sweet-and-Salty Snack Mixes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/planters-trail-mix.md) - [Childhood Cereal Nut Butters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fit-butters.md) - [Three-Ingredient Nut Spreads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cravers.md)