Baking & Snack - June 2024 - 65

EQUIPMENT
Pretzel Processing
Almost Anything Goes
Today's versatile pretzel processing drives an onslaught of
product innovation that's fueling category excitement.
by Dan Malovany
It doesn't matter if they're hard, soft, twists, braids, bites,
nuggets, knots,
seasoned or
stuffed with everything
from peanut butter to pizza fillings and jalapeño cheddar
jack cheese. The pretzel category is becoming an enduring
movement that's attracting a greater investment
by the popular players who are redefining the market.
" Pretzel dough can be made into various shapes,
and that evolution seems to be never-ending, " said Ken
Johnson, president, Gemini Bakery Equipment. " The
traditional, twisted pretzel shape - both with continuous
diameter and the European version with a wider
belly in the middle - along with sticks, twists and buns
- seems to be the most popular. We are seeing a recent
trend in the production of pretzel nuggets, pizza shells
and other niche items that one would not think of as a
mainstream pretzel product. "
Marketing gurus and formulators, he added, have
learned how to 'pretzelize' many new products.
Moreover, new applications of technology have transformed
what was a staid market into a dynamic, premium
category. For some bakeries, the challenge involves
keeping up with the burgeoning consumer demand for
these products.
" Automated makeup, lye application, cutting and scoring
technology can be added to existing processes to help
create new products such as sticks, buns, twists and other
shapes, " Johnson observed. " Production lines are getting
wider and faster to produce these items in higher volumes. "
In the snack market, pretzel producers are stealing a
page - and often copying the flavors - from the potato
and tortilla chip categories to bolster impulse sales.
" The biggest trends we're seeing is how to pack a
punch with new flavors in a familiar format like pretzels, "
pointed out Nico Roesler, North American pretzel
and snack equipment sales manager, Reading
Bakery Systems (RBS). " Seasonings are what are driving
this trend as snack-makers look to bring new spicy,
sweet and savory flavor combinations to the market.
Additionally, snack makers are bringing flavors to the
forefront by creating peanut butter- or chocolate-filled
pretzels. I think we've only seen the beginning of filling
innovations. "
In the baked goods arena, pretzels are among the
fastest-growing varieties of buns and rolls, competing
for premium consumer dollars along with their brioche,
sourdough and Hawaiian-style counterparts. Such
growth is not only in the US, but internationally as well.
" The global pretzel market is growing at a steady rate
www.bakingbusiness.com / June 2024 Baking & Snack 65
Bakeries and snack
processors now
use versatile pretzel
processing systems to
develop new products
that compete in the
broader snack category.
©Brent Hofacker, Bronwyn Photo,
Spass-stock.adobe.com
http://www.bakingbusiness.com
Baking & Snack - June 2024

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