Discovering the Flavorful Crunch of Korean Almond Snacks

Since the 19th century, almonds have been used to make desserts and snacks in different countries. The French have dacquoise and the Italians have biscotti. But recently, the world seems to have taken notice of South Korea’s gift to almond lovers: Korean-style almonds.

Korean almond snacks are made by coating roasted or toasted almonds with unique flavors, such as honey butter, wasabi, and matcha. These snacks have become so popular that top manufacturers like the Gilim subsidiary, HBAF (formerly known as Tom’s Farm), have seen sales of over $100 million a year. People from all around the world are trying to get their hands on it, and visitors hardly leave South Korea without taking some back home with them.

You may be surprised to learn that Korea doesn’t produce its own almonds. These tree nuts are imported from the United States. Yet, after the roasting and flavoring procedure in Korea, the finished products are in high demand in US markets. A lot of the success of Korean almond snacks has to do with their use of both Western and traditional ingredients as flavorings. A good example of traditional flavoring is the popular injeolmi, a type of Korean rice cake. They offer a unique snacking experience that domestic and foreign consumers love.

But Korean-styled almonds didn’t become smash hits overnight. Their rise to global prominence all started with one product, a simple mix of honey, butter, and Korean culinary magic.

The Rise of Honey Butter Almonds in Korea

Before the release of the original almond flavor, Tom’s Farm was a relatively unknown brand. Created in 1982, the company stayed under the radar but continued to serve Korean locals with diligence. The release of their first almond product, Tom’s Farm Honey Butter Almonds, proved to be a masterstroke as it exploded on the Korean snack scene and launched them into the global market. But what was so special about these Korean almond snacks? Let’s find out. 

Taste 

Coating the outer layer of the toasted almonds with honey butter seasoning created an intense, creamy flavor. Despite the thin layer of coating, the buttery flavor lingers long after your first few bites. And when it begins to fade, it’s replaced by the sweet taste of honey and other sweetened flavors. The last few bites will expose the earthy almond taste. All you have to do is pop more into your mouth and repeat the delicious cycle. HBAF stumbled upon a winning formula when they decided to pair the tastes of honey butter and almonds.

Aroma

Another selling point for the delicious honey butter almonds is their aroma. If you’ve ever caught a whiff of buttered popcorn, then you should have an idea of what the product smells like. You can easily perceive the buttery aroma when you open the package, as it overpowers that of the almond.

Commercial Design

A bag of HBAF Honey Butter Almonds is light enough for you to carry around all day without feeling any discomfort. This lightness makes it the perfect snack option when on the go. The art design is also bright and cute, appealing to a wide range of age groups. It also uses vibrant colors and imagery associated with honey, butter, and bees.

HBAF Honey Butter Almond sparked the almond craze of the 21st century. They did well to follow it up by launching new flavors regularly. As a result, lots of people now clamor for Korean-style almonds made by HBAF and other manufacturers in the country.

What Makes Korean Almonds Different?

Korean-style almonds involve a unique approach to seasoning and snack creation. Firstly, the nuts are toasted, roasted, or smoked to seal in nutrients and create a very crunchy texture. Korean almonds are mostly premium-grade and imported from the United States. Such principles allow manufacturers to offer the best possible almond taste and texture to their consumers.

The seasoning process is where a lot of the magic happens. Korean-style almonds are not overly flavored with sugar. Instead, they have a distinct balance between sweet, salty, and savory. They combine the nutty taste of almonds with bold contemporary and traditional flavors from ingredients like baked corn, matcha, tiramisu, rice, vegetable oil, and chicken. Korean almonds are also highly healthy and nutritious, despite their tasty nature.

Health Benefits of Korean Almond Snacks

Korean almond snack can be a beneficial part of your balanced diet thanks to their nutritional value. Here’s a highlight of some of their biggest health benefits:

1. Improves cognitive performance: Recent studies have shown that having any kind of almond in your diet improves brain functions such as memory.

2. Lowers the risk of heart problems: Korean almond snacks are low in cholesterol, too much of which can build up in blood vessels and cause heart complications. The low cholesterol content of these snacks makes them a healthy option for people with heart disease.

3. Helps with weight loss: Korean almonds may be high in calories, but not all of these calories are absorbed by the body. They also boost metabolism, making them a great addition to a weight-loss diet.

4. Provides anti-aging benefits: They contain high amounts of antioxidants, which help to slow down cell damage, a common cause of rapid aging.

5. Aids with food digestion: They are a good source of fiber, thereby helping to promote digestion in the body.

Varieties of Korean Almond Snacks

Let’s take a quick look at some of the different flavors and types of Korean almond snacks available on the global market:

1. Honey butter almonds

2. Wasabi almonds

3. Jeju matcha almonds

4. Tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) almonds

5. Roasted laver (seaweed) almonds

6. Black sugar milk tea almonds

7. Baked corn almonds

8. Black sesame almonds

9. Caramel almonds with pretzels

10. Toffeenut latte almonds

Where to Find Korean Almond Snacks

You can buy Korean almond snacks in various supermarkets and specialty stores or order them from online markets. If you stay outside of Korea, Bokksu Market is the most convenient source for these delicious treats. Simply place an order, and we’ll get your tasty almond snacks directly from Korean manufacturers like HBAF and bring them to your doorstep. You never have to leave the house to restock on Korean almond snacks.

Incorporating Korean Almond Snacks into Your Diet

Although delicious on their own, there are other ways to enjoy Korean almond snacks other than direct snacking. Check out some creative ideas below:

1. Mix it with salted nuts: Korean-style almonds create a sweet and savory mix of flavors when added to salted nuts. Black milk tea-flavored almonds pair excellently with salted nuts.

2. Add them to oatmeal or salads: Use the almond snacks to add flavor to foods like oatmeal and salads.

3. Add them to desserts: Add some of the almonds to smoothies and milkshakes for a healthier dessert.

4. Bake them with cookies: Crushed Korean almonds make great additions to the flour for baking cookies. The result is a crunchier, tastier, and healthier snack.

5. Include them in your breakfast bowl: Your breakfast bowl of porridge or oats could do with the extra kick that Korean almonds bring.

Why Korean Almond Snacks Are a Must-Try

Whether they’re eaten as a standalone snack or paired with other foods, there’s no denying the allure of Korean almond snacks. They taste great and help to promote good health. What’s not to like?

Wherever you are, feel free to explore all the flavors of Korean almond snacks we have on Bokksu Market. When you find your favorite flavor, don’t stop there. We offer almond-flavored cookies, cakes, and chips. You’ll also find other nutty snacks like peanuts and peas. Enjoy!