Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 478,618 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,287 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 104,870 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,287 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 104,870 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,232 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 478,618 cutting edge ideas.

Gluten-Free Plantain Croutons

Clean the Sky - Positive Eco Trends & Breakthroughs

Trader Joe's Plantain Croutons are Crunchy and Flavorful

— January 22, 2021 — Lifestyle
Trader Joe's wants to help consumers step up their soup and salad game with its super crunchy new Plantain Croutons.

Trader Joe's Plantain Chips are one of the chain's most popular snacks because of their savory flavor and deliciously satisfying crunch. Now the chain is using the same ingredient to make crunchy gluten-free croutons for soups, salads, and more. Trader Joe's new Plantain Croutons are made by a supplier in Ecuador who specializes in producing plantain-based snacks. The supplier specifically uses green plantains, which are a bit starchier, lower in sugar, and have a more potato-like texture compared to the yellow plantain variety. As Trader Joe's explains, those properties translate "to a superior crunch in every Crouton, despite containing no gluten."

Image Credit: Trader Joe's
Trend Themes
1. Plantain-based Snacks - The increasing demand for gluten-free snacks and the growing interest in plant-based diets creates an opportunity for new plantain-based snacks to enter the market.
2. Alternative Croutons - The rise of alternative diets (gluten-free, vegan, keto, etc.) creates an opportunity for new types of croutons made from unique ingredients such as plantains.
3. International Snack Suppliers - The search for unique, flavorful snacks creates an opportunity for businesses to partner with international snack suppliers who specialize in producing local snacks that cater to a growing interest in international cuisines.
Industry Implications
1. Snack Food Industry - The growing demand for gluten-free, healthy snacks and alternative snacks is driving innovation and competition in the snack food industry.
2. Food Retail Industry - The growing interest in alternative diets and unique snack options creates an opportunity for food retail businesses to differentiate themselves by offering innovative and unique products like plantain-based snacks.
3. International Trade Industry - The growing interest in international foods creates an opportunity for the international trade industry to facilitate the import and export of unique, flavorful snacks from different countries that cater to the growing demand for international cuisines.
2.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness