Page 28 - FoodFocusThailand No.237 December 2025

SPECIAL FOCUS

while preserving their nostalgic warmth and comforting
familiarity. Examples include reformulating classic recipes
to reduce sugar or fat content and using organic ingredients.
It appeals to consumers who seek both traditional flavors
and health benefits.
The Rise of the “Chef-You” Cooking or
preparing snacks at home has become an
expression of both health consciousness and creativity.
Consumers increasingly seek convenient, semi-prepared
options—such as ready-to-bake desserts or bakery
mixes—that deliver results comparable to those of
professional chefs, and meal kits tailored to busy modern
lifestyles.
Budget Bougie Hacks Younger consumers
are increasingly focused on getting the most value
for their money. They look for snack products that are
affordable yet visually appealing, high-quality, and
indulgent—offering a touch of luxury without the high price
tag. This trend reflects a blend of budget-consciousness
and the desire for premium experiences.
These changes reflect consumers’ growing awareness
of health and environmental concerns, along with their
desire for novel and exciting experiences rather than
repetitive ones. This creates new opportunities for the food
industry to develop truly innovative products that align with ภาพที่่� 1 ตััวอย่่างเทรนด์์อาหาร ขนมขบเคี้้�ย่ว และขนมหวานปีี พ.ศ. 2569
modern lifestyles. The driving forces shaping the future Figure 1 Examples of Food, Snack, and Confectionery Trends for 2026
of snacks and confectionery in 2026 include not only the
use of ingredients that evoke emotional connections that ที่่�มา / Source: giffmart.com (2563); Jaturong Kobkaew (2565); thaipick.com (2565);
chuanchombakery (2568); Xongdur ซองเด์อร์ (2567); LOTTE (2568); Etienne (2564); dailymeofficial.
evoke emotional connections, helping consumers relate to com (2568)
products on a personal level through stress relief, enhanced
focus, and relaxation—but also the adoption of emerging 3D-Printed Snacks: An Innovation to Watch
technologies such as 3D food printing, which will play a In an era where digital technology plays an increasingly
vital role in giving brands a competitive edge. significant role across all aspects of the food industry, 3D
food printing has emerged as one of the most exciting
The Evolution of Snacks: From Original Recipes innovations—particularly in the snack and confectionery
to the Age of Innovation sectors; these sectors thrive on creativity, aesthetic appeal,
Snacks have long been among the most popular food and nutritional value (Figure 3). The key advantages of 3D
products. They can be categorized into three main food printing include:
generations based on their production processes, reflecting • High precision: Allows for the creation of intricate and
continuous technological advancements that are expected imaginative shapes.
to evolve even further in the future. • Personalized nutrition: Enables adjustment of nutrient
1. First-Generation Snacks: This category includes composition to meet individual needs.
snacks made from traditional raw materials such as • Reduced production waste: Improves raw material
potatoes, nuts, corn, wheat, and animal-based ingredients utilization efficiency and adds value by transforming food
like seaweed, squid, shrimp, pork, or chicken. These snacks waste into food ink.
are typically fried, baked, or roasted to achieve a crispy
and flavorful texture.
2. Second Generation Snacks: These are formed
snacks made primarily from starch-based ingredients using
a direct expansion extrusion process, in which the product
expands immediately upon exiting the extruder. A typical
example is the corn puff, known for its light, crispy texture
and widespread popularity (Figure 2A).
3. Third Generation Snacks: Produced through an
indirect expansion process, these snacks are first shaped
using an extruder, then dried, and later baked or fried to (A) Direct Expansion (B) Indirect Expansion
achieve expansion. This method allows for a wide variety of
shapes such as sticks, spirals, or animal figures to enhance ภาพที่่� 2 ตััวอย่่างขนมท้�ผ่่านกระบวนการเอ็กซ์ทรูชัันตั่างกัน
visual appeal before undergoing the final seasoning stage Figure 2 Examples of Snacks Produced by Different Extrusion Processes
(Figure 2B). ที่่�มา / Source: SMS Corporation (2568)

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