Hey, big snackers! Americans are eager to venture outside the box with flavour experimentation
A new survey – conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Moonstruck Chocolate – calculated that most Americans spend around $9.22 per week on snacks, adding up to $479.44 a year and $31,163.60 over an average lifetime of 65 years.
US consumer love their snacks so much that 18% claimed they would ditch all their electronic devises for a lifetime supply of snacks. A sixth of Americans said they would completely shave their heads for a lifetime supply of chocolate.
34% of Americans lean toward salty snacks, while 37% crave sweet treats
The survey also delved into what Americans liked to snack on the most and how they paired their snacks. While 37% preferred a sweet treat, 34% fancied a salty bite. The remainder were not bothered and said they could go either way.
However, almost all snackers enjoyed potato chips, with 80% of sweet snackers and 84% of salt enthusiasts citing the ubiquitous snack as a regular go-to. When the tables are turned, though, only 63% of the salty group named chocolate as their favourite nibble to satisfy a sweet craving.
Exploring flavours
The survey found Americans are eager to venture out of their safe zones and willing to try odd pairings, like cheddar cheese & apple pie (21%), strawberries & balsamic vinegar (18%), chocolate & pizza (14%) and even bacon & vinegar (11%).
However, nothing beat the classics, with top pairings cited as bacon & eggs (58%), steak & potatoes (48%), pancakes & syrup (41%) and wine & cheese (39%).
And when it comes to chocolate, 50% said they love it with caramel, while 39% enjoyed a choc-nut combo.
Food for thought for flavour developers.
“With each bite, a delicious snack can take you to another world, creating a moment all your own,” said Joanna Hartvickson, director of Marketing and Product Management for Moonstruck Chocolate Co.
