The snack market is characterized by a wide variety of flavors and consumer preferences. While taste plays a crucial role, the appearance and shape of snacks also significantly affect consumer choices and purchase frequency.
In this article, we’ll analyze the preferences of different age groups—children, teenagers, and adults—regarding popular pellet shapes from Key Food Support: rings, crab-shaped pellets, bacon-flavored pellets, paprika-flavored pellets, spinach pellets, oval pellets, wavy oval pellets, ridged sticks, and grid-form.
Children’s Preferences for Pellet Shapes
Age Group: 4–12 years
Children are highly influenced by the fun and playful shapes of snacks. For them, the appearance of a snack can often be more important than its taste. In this context, pellet shapes play a key role in attracting their attention. Pellets shaped like crabs, rings, and ridged sticks, for example, evoke a sense of fun and playfulness, making them more appealing to children. These shapes can easily be integrated into play, enhancing the snack’s allure.
Rings – This shape reminds children of toys or playful objects, encouraging interaction with the snack before eating it. In cultures where family snacking traditions are strong, kids gravitate towards snacks that can be part of their playtime.
Grid-form – This unusual structure captivates children, as it resembles something that can be played with without crumbling. Kids love crunchy snacks, and the mesh shape, with its airy texture, gives the impression of lightness and fun.
Crabs – Crab-shaped pellets evoke memories of summer, the seaside, and fun activities, adding to their charm for children.
These shapes are easy for small hands to grasp, making them convenient to eat. Additionally, brightly colored paprika or spinach pellets appeal to children due to their vibrant appearance, which makes them look both fun and appetizing.
Teenagers and Their Snack Perception
Age Group: 13–18 years
Teenagers are active snack consumers, but their preferences are more complex and ever-changing compared to children. While they still pay attention to the appearance of snacks, they also appreciate snacks that appear “grown-up” and trendy. For teens, snacks should look stylish and contemporary.
Oval and wavy oval pellets – These shapes are often associated with something more “serious” and premium. Teens appreciate simplicity, but they also value interesting textures. The wavy and oval shapes are more visually appealing due to their unique structure, making them a hit in social situations, like hanging out with friends.
Ridged sticks – These pellets are ideal for sharing and fit well into social gatherings. The ridged texture provides an added crunch and a more intense mouthfeel.
Bacon-flavored pellets – These snacks are linked to a rich, savory taste that teenagers associate with more mature, “grown-up” snacking experiences.
Grid-form – The light, crisp texture of mesh snacks appeals to teenagers due to its distinctive look and crunch, evoking a sense of “lightness.” Teens, who often prefer lighter snacks while socializing, find this shape especially appealing.
Adults and Their Perception of Snack Shapes
Age Group: 25–60 years
Adults have more developed taste preferences and tend to choose snacks that combine enjoyable flavor with functional benefits. For this group, the shape of the pellet is linked to the perception of quality and premium status.
Oval and wavy oval pellets – These shapes are perceived by adults as indicators of high-quality, premium products. Adults value minimalism and practicality, and oval or wavy shapes not only look aesthetically pleasing but are also easy to consume. Their interesting texture adds to the overall enjoyment of snacking.
Paprika-flavored pellets – These spicy and slightly hot snacks are popular among adults due to their intense and bold flavor profiles.
Grid-form – Mesh-shaped pellets are popular among adults because of their light, crispy texture. They are often seen as a “lighter” snack option, which appeals to those who are mindful of their calorie intake. The airy structure of the mesh evokes a perception of a lower-calorie product, making it a favorite among health-conscious consumers.
Spinach pellets – These snacks attract health-conscious adults because they are associated with nutritious ingredients and a healthy lifestyle. With a growing trend toward healthy eating, pellets containing additives like spinach are perceived as more “green” and beneficial products.
Consider these aspects when selecting pellets for snacks to best match your audience’s preferences and align with current consumption trends. We recommend ordering sample pellets from Key Food Support to evaluate their quality firsthand.