Each Region Has Its Own Snacking Identity Zooming out to the natio- nal level reveals even more pronounced differences based on geography. The Northeast splits its preference evenly between cashews and peanuts. It leads in hazelnuts and Brazil nuts, and balances creamy (52%) and crunchy (51%) textures equally. The Southeast proudly champions pecans: Sou- therners express 75% more loyalty to this nut than those in the Nor- theast, accompanied by a marked preference for sweet and creamy flavors. The Southwest is peanut territory (46%) and also the most adventurous: its consumers surpass the rest of the country in preferen- ce for spicy flavors by more than 20 percentage points. The Midwest is the only region where pistachios take the top spot (37%), accompanied by popcorn and nostalgic flavors. The West, for its part, is almond country (40%), with a snack identity that blends chocolate (46%) and butter (33%) into flaky, crumbly textures worthy of a pastry shop. The Message for Retailers Data from Nuts.com sends a clear messa- ge to buyers and ca- tegory managers: a one-size-fits-all stra- tegy no longer wor- ks. Nut consumption trends in the United States are diversi- fying at breakneck speed, and retailers who read the data correctly and stock accordingly will see higher profits. Those who don’t will watch as those cus- tomers leave emp- ty-handed, searching for stores that meet their needs. A Sensory Revolution Led by Young People Gen Z and Millennials are driving what the data calls a “sensory snacking revolution.” They prefer chewy (47%), crunchy (40%), light (34%), and even frozen (32%) tex- tures. They are three times more likely than Boomers to choose hazelnuts or gummy candies, and twice as likely to prefer spicy or bittersweet flavors. Boomers and Generation X, on the other hand, stick to the classics: they prefer crunchy (56%), creamy (55%), and fluffy (36%) tex- tures, with chocolate (46%), salt (44%), and sweet (42%) as the dominant flavors. They also lead in dried fruit consumption, the clearest sign of health-consciousness among older consumers. Despite all these divi- sions, one fact unites ever- yone: 54% of Americans demand a crunchy texture in their snacks. It is the only national consensus in a market that, otherwise, re- fuses to agree. Continuation of page 32 34 • May | June 2026 • abasto.com Special Insert Sweets & snacks