Spanish specialty nut expert La Morella Nuts, who creates nut based ingredients full of taste and goodness for artisans as well as brands, announced global expansion after decades of experience in Mediterranean nut craft. With the expansion, the nut expert taps into the growing need for healthier indulgence and plant-based products around the world.

Similar to the Mediterranean lifestyle, millennials and centennials from around the globe are looking for tasty, nutrient-dense food & drink such as plant-based, vegan and high-in-protein options. Since the corona virus pandemic, the need for personal and environmental health is also increasing among older generations. The taste, texture and health benefits that nuts offer, further increases the popularity of the category.

Pablo Perversi, Chief Innovation, Sustainability & Quality Officer and Global Head of Gourmet at Barry Callebaut, says: “With our brand La Morella Nuts, we offer artisans and brands nut-based experiences that are tasty, nutritious and good for the planet. Exactly what the next generation of consumers around the globe is looking for. That’s why, today, we further expand our services from the Mediterranean nut groves to the globe.”

La Morella Nuts will further expand in Europe and Asia Pacific. North America’s expansion starts in 2021. With the new plans and the opening of its Global Center of Expertise for nuts in Reus/Spain, La Morella aims to offer solutions to brands and artisans across the world. To provide these solutions, the state-of-the art centre combines expertise in taste and texture, sourcing and sustainability, as well as application knowledge. The brand also welcomes academics and nuts associations to the centre to further develop and broaden the knowledge about nuts. It offers an immersive virtual and physical journey from the Mediterranean nut orchards to the consumer application. With the use of the Nut Sensory Language, customers learn how to differentiate taste, texture and flavour in nut experiences.

With decades of experience in Mediterranean Nut Craft, La Morella Nuts is known as a supplier of high quality nut products from caramelized pieces to roasted ground nut pastes. Leveraging its expertise, the company introduces an indulgent specialty nut range for plant-based beverages, snacks and frozen treats for brands and artisans.

The range consists of a selection of fillings and nut pastes, also known as nut butters. It is made from almonds, pistachios, and hazelnuts, among other nuts. A wide palette of tastes is crafted thanks to several levels of roasting. The range is available dairy-free, single origin and organic upon request. The ingredients are available throughout Europe and Asia Pacific. The nut brand plans to introduce a range in North America in the second half of 2021.

As part of Barry Callebaut’s commitment to sustainability, La Morella Nuts aims to secure the future of nuts by addressing the key topics in the industry such as water scarcity and loss of biodiversity. The company aims to have all of its nuts sustainably sourced by 2025.

Based in Reus, part of the main nut-growing region of Spain, La Morella Nuts was founded in 1986. It was acquired by Barry Callebaut in 2012 as part of the group’s strategy to offer value-adding products complementing its chocolate offering.