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Ancient Grains Stage a Revival in the Packaged Food Industry

Posted on: Wednesday, 7 May 2008, 12:00 CDT

Packaged food and beverage markets are seeing a growing influx of new products featuring grains that were favored by civilizations thousands of years ago. According to Datamonitor's Productscan Online database of new products, new food and beverage launches featuring a short list of ancient grains, including chia, have doubled since 2005 as manufacturers jump on the latest health food band wagon.

According to Datamonitor's Productscan Online, some 515 new food and beverage products were introduced worldwide in 2007 featuring ancient grains like quinoa, spelt, kamut, amaranth and chia. This represents a doubling of the 257 new products featuring these grains in 2005 and a nearly five-fold increase over the 112 new products that used these grains in 2004.

The popularity of whole grains is opening up doors for more novel, flavorful and lesser known types of grain. Moreover, the use of less processed ancient grains addresses the concern that today's foods are over processed. According to Datamonitor, 63.2% of American and 58% of European consumers surveyed in 2006 said that it was either "important" or "very important" to reduce consumption of processed foods.

The newest star to emerge in the world of ancient grains is chia. Forget about energy drinks and bars; legend has it that chia was the original energizer, used by ancient civilizations like the Mayans and the Aztecs where a quick handful of the tiny seeds provided a day's worth of energy and sustenance for warriors. Modern civilizations are perhaps more familiar with chia's quick sprouting properties that were put to good use by the popular Chia Pet animal figurines that were launched in the 1980s.

Chia is back in the spotlight today because of a renewed appreciation for the health properties of this easily-digestible seed. Chia seed is high in omega-3 fatty acids, contains an impressive amount of vitamins, minerals and fiber, and is high in easy-to-digest protein. The seed is starting to appear in new product launches like Weil, a Chia Razz Pure Fruit and Nut Bar from Canada-based Nature's Path Foods and Ruth's Chia Goodness Cranberry Ginger Breakfast Cereal from Canada-based Ruth's Hemp Foods.

Another ancient grain enjoying new popularity is quinoa. High in calcium, iron and phosphorus, this ancient grain is a great source of protein and is also high in amino acids. In recent years, quinoa has found its way into a variety of packaged food and beverage products, from breakfast cereal and pasta to soup, chips and even baby food.

Indigenous to South America, quinoa has a nutty, earthy flavor that helped it to earn the title of "mother of all grains" from the Incas. More recently, the grain has found its way into some unusual new products like Jardin Bio Mashed Potato Mix with Quinoa which debuted in France earlier this year from Laboratoire Lea Nature. Quinoa has even moved into drinks with Quinoa Gold 100% Organic Gluten-Free Beverages in flavors like Pina Colada, Berry and Mango, all from US-based Newport Quinoa Company.

World markets may well see more ancient grain-based products in the future as ingredient suppliers are rising to the ancient grains challenge. In late 2007, US-based ConAgra Mills announced the introduction of five ancient grains flours for commercial use, including quinoa, teff and sorghum flours. All are touted as having distinct flavor profiles to better inspire "next-generation" whole grain products.

Source: Datamonitor

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