With the launch of Lindt’s new OatMilk Truffle range, the spotlight is shining brightly on the importance of niche markets and the doors they open for food brands.
In an age where niche and fringe dietary requirements have become mainstream trends, catering to the needs of “the few” is no longer a gamble. And with manufacturers, bulk importers, and wholesale suppliers whose bulk ingredient catalogs cater to your customers’ diets, entering “niche markets” has never been less of a gamble.
But why is Lindt’s entry into the non-dairy market such a monumental event?
Chocolate suited for every diet
Although studies have shown that people with lactose intolerance can consume small amounts of milk chocolate without affecting their gut, there are still a large number of consumers whose gut sensitivity is so severe that their lives have been robbed entirely of the delicious comfort of regular dairy milk chocolate.
And now that’s changed.
In recent years, brands such as That’s It, Pascha, No Whey Foods, Free2B, Amanda’s Own, and Enjoy Life have all brought dairy-free chocolates to the market. Even big brands such as Hershey’s and Reece’s have introduced oat milk chocolate products to their catalogs.
But no matter how much of a staple these brands are in US diets, calling a packet of Peanut Butter Cups the handiwork of “fine chocolatiers” may be a stretch.
And so, the lives of lactose-sensitive chocolate aficionados have never been quite complete.
Until 2022 that is.
Lindt expands its dairy-free range with OatMilk Truffles
When Lindt introduced OatMilk Bars, the delicate care that goes into the Swiss Master Chocolatiers’ confections could finally be enjoyed by all, without a second thought.
And now, in 2024, Lindt is back.
The launch of Lindt’s Dairy-Free OatMilk Truffles brings the company’s classic milk chocolate truffle to a wider community of chocolate lovers.
“We aspired to craft the best-tasting non-dairy truffle for all chocolate enthusiasts including those who are avoiding dairy, lactose-intolerant, or simply eating more plant-based alternatives,” says Lindt Master Chocolatier, Ann Czaja. “We are thrilled that our Lindt LINDOR OatMilk truffles offer the same luxurious, smooth melting chocolate experience with this exquisitely crafted premium oat milk recipe.”
Oat milk chocolate is entirely dairy-free and safe to consume for people with lactose intolerance.
And yet oat milk chocolate still has a similarly rich and creamy texture to dairy milk chocolate. Thanks to oat milk’s mild taste (when compared to alternatives such as rice milk), the cocoa bean is still the main player in the taste bud field. Due to its slightly nutty flavor, oat milk can also add a subtle malt taste to certain chocolate products.
Answering the call of your customers
Dairy-free chocolates that use plant-based milk, such as oat milk, have become increasingly popular over the past few years. Catering specifically to people with lactose intolerance and consumers who follow a strict vegan diet where no animal products or by-products are allowed.
And yet Lindt is not a company known for creating products to cash in on trends. Instead, it’s a company whose creations inspire the trends that other brands latch onto.
However, with the launch of the company’s OatMilk Truffles, Lindt shows that its commitment to innovation is always aligned with a deep dedication to its customers and their needs.
Plant-based, non-dairy milk products may be all the rage right now, but the statistics show that it’s a trend born out of dietary and lifestyle necessity:
- In the United States, 36% of people live with lactose malabsorption, the cause of lactose intolerance.
- 25% of Americans follow a gluten-free diet, even though research shows that only about 6% of the population has been diagnosed as gluten intolerant.
- Even though only about 5% of Americans follow a strictly vegetarian or vegan diet, 25% of Americans follow a plant-rich diet that is heavily dependent on plant-based products.
Even though it isn’t medically required, consumers are choosing alternative diets more than ever before to support healthy living.
And with Lindt on board, the question is, are you?
Catering to a whole new market has never been easier
Catering to a whole new market has never been easier. With advances in bulk alternative ingredient sourcing, catering to the fringe dietary needs of consumers is no longer something that needs to break the bank or muddle up supply chains.
Speaking of trends, read about the differences between acai powder and acai puree to stay ahead in the market. And by going beyond the call of duty of wholesale supplier and bulk importer, Source86 makes that journey simpler than you’ve ever known.
Through our vendor, manufacturer, and private label packaging network, Source86 helps you answer the call for your customers, just like Lindt.
Get in touch with us!
