Chocolate is one of the most luxurious food indulgences in the world. Cacao is the main ingredient for making chocolates, and the history of Cacao tree farming dates back over 3,600 years. It was not until the 19th century that chocolate was made into the silky sweet form which has won the hearts of people all over the world. Chocolate is often associated with love and happiness, and interestingly the genus of this plant in Greek is “Theobroma”; which literally means “Food of the Gods”.

The taste and health benefits of chocolate are not its only selling points, but more and more consumers are craving organic, low sugar, low fat, and pure dark chocolates. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global chocolate confectionary market is projected to reach 136 billion US dollars by 2027. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.3% over an 8-year period. Additionally, Asia Pacific Regional Market is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 5.42%, generating 8.9 billion US Dollars by the year 2027.

Chocolate has very complex and sensational aromas, and when using it in confectionaries it creates irresistible treats that people adore. When used in baking, chocolate can make extraordinary cookies such as the chocolate crinkles that are beautifully covered with snow-like powdered sugar. When rum is added to the chocolate in making no-bake rum balls, it adds more depth and sophisticated flavors to these festive treats.

Recently, due to modern long working hours and busy schedules, there is an increased demand for nutritious healthy snacks and functional foods that are conveniently packaged catering to people’s busy lifestyles.

According to Exploding Topics research meal replacement snacks have an estimated 7.64/% CAGR from 2021 to 2026, and the Asia Pacific markets are expected to have the most drastic increase. High protein energy bars are amongst the most popular items in this food category, and according to a FMCG Gurus survey, 51% of American consumers prefer functional foods that are high in protein and low in sugar content versus conventional snacks. Interestingly, 60% of the consumers who purchase these products acknowledge the importance of the protein content in their snacks.

Additionally, with the trend of veganism and vegetarianism, more and more people have switched from eating meats to consuming plant-based proteins, dietary fibers and probiotics that are highly valued in their snacks. In the “State of Snacking: 2020 Global Consumer Trends Study” reports suggested that over 54% of the world’s adults are consuming healthier snacks for their nutrient intake, and 56% of the adult consumers take healthy snacks as a main source of immune boosters. Euromonitor has predicted the global healthy snack market will generate over 98 billion US dollars by 2025.

Protein, fats, and carbohydrates are the three most important components in most energy bars and energy balls. Plant-based protein can be sourced from grains, seeds, or legumes. Good fats can be extracted from nuts or cacao for healthy fatty acids; and natural sweeteners such as honey, stevia or dried fruits are excellent ways to add flavors to the products. Finding the balance between quality protein, good fats, carbohydrates, and natural sweeteners can create delicious and nutritious snacks that are guilt-free and enjoyable.

Peanuts and chickpeas are good sources of plant-based protein; oats are also widely used in products such as energy bars, energy balls and oatmeal cookies, because oats contain good amounts of protein, dietary fibers, vitamins, and minerals.

In the United States April 30th was declared the National Oatmeal Cookie Day because it is one of the most beloved cookies in the country. Oatmeal cookies are made with two main ingredients: oats, and wheat flour. However, raisins, nuts, chocolate, and honey can also be added for flavors and different textures, making it one of the most iconic healthy and popular cookies in the world.

(ANKO’s SD-97 Series Automatic Filling and Forming Machines can be used to produce many popular snacks such as filled chocolate cookies, and chocolate crinkles as well as energy balls (energy bars) and oatmeal cookies.)