Pulses also have potential in extruded snack foods. They offer a good base for the extruded product as they produce a good flavour which is not overpowering, when heated. They lend themselves to flavour addition and retain a good crunch if treated and stored properly. Breakfast cereals in Australia comprise a base group of products such as Weetbix and Special K which don't change and other products which come and go. Short life cereals are mainly the 'muesli' style of mixed grains with added fruit or nuts.
Breakfast bars are the home meal replacement option for breakfast.
Both present an ideal opportunity for value-adding with pulses. The addition of pulses which have been treated to remove any unusual flavours and softened for easy eating could differentiate a market cluttered with a range of products which are similar to one another. This has started with Willow Valley and others adding soy to some of their products and this could be extended to lentils or peas. Pre-prepared meals is one of the fastest growing segments of the retail market. Manufacturers seek flavour, appearance and an ability to retain texture and colour when reheated from a frozen or cold state.