Blue Diamond Almonds Global Ingredients Division featured the company’s new line of almond flour at the Institute of Food Technologists Conference, July 12-14 in Chicago, Illinois. Attendees sampled the product in different applications including lemon-almond pound cake and chocolate chunk cookies.
Blue Diamond has three almond flour options available:
Extra Fine Natural: With exceptionally fine granulation, it is as versatile as blanched flour while maintaining a natural light tan color
Extra Fine Blanched: The finest granulation almond flour available with a powder-like consistency that is perfect for delicate cookies, breads and cakes
Fine Blanched: Gives nutritious texture to everyday baking and cooking, and toasts to a rich golden color
According to Bill Morecraft, Blue Diamond Almonds Global Ingredients Division general manager, as the trend for healthier and more nutritious ingredients gains momentum among consumers, food manufacturers continue to seek partners who can help create products that meet these demands. Almond flour will contribute to the nutritional enhancement and expansion of formulation possibilities for food manufacturers around the world.
“Almond flour is nutritiously superior to other processed flours,” Morecraft said, noting that each quarter cup serving contains 6 grams of protein, 3.5 grams of fiber and 75 mg of calcium. “Additionally, almond flour is low on the glycemic index, is naturally gluten-free and a great food source of antioxidant Vitamin E.”
Morecraft added that a challenge for many food manufacturers is creating a product that’s nutritious and tasty. While Blue Diamond almond flour contains calcium and monounsaturated good fats, it ensures the end products remain moist longer than traditional baked goods.
Blue Diamond almond flour offers versatility to food manufacturers in a wide array of applications—from cakes and crusts, to breading and sauces. Examples include:
Bakery applications such as cakes, breads and muffins
Almond flour in crackers helps them stay crispy longer
Coatings applications for fish and chicken
Thickening agent for sauces and soups, adding nutrition in this growing category
In addition to versatility, product longevity and nutrition, Blue Diamond almond flour can be easily substituted for traditional flours in existing recipes without compromising taste or texture.
“It comes down to the fact that food companies can begin formulating new products with almond flour that will be healthier and more nutritious versions of products consumers already love,” Morecraft said. “It’s a win-win for the consumer and for our customers.”
Blue Diamond almond flour is produced at the company’s Turlock, California manufacturing facility. The plant has state-of-the-art clean room technology and recently won “Plant of the Year” from a leading food industry publication.