Olympic Champion Kyle Chalmers has teamed up with acclaimed Singapore-based Malaysian chef Hafizzul Hashim, in a push to grow Southeast Asia’s appetite for premium Australian Almonds.
Southeast Asia is one of the world’s fastest growing regions, and Australian producers tapping in to gain market share amidst increasingly health conscious consumers, a growing café culture and rising disposable incomes.
Olympic champion and Athlete Ambassador for Australian Almonds, Kyle Chalmers says as an elite athlete, I need food that fuels my performance and supports recovery and almonds do both.
“They’re a powerhouse of nutrients and an essential part of my training diet,” Kyle says.
“Getting to be in the kitchen alongside a chef of the standing of Hafizzul Hashim and visit Michelin Green Star restaurant Fiz for an almond boost ahead of his first race was a real highlight.
“It’s great to see Chef Hafizzul and other leading chefs featuring Australian almonds more in their Southeast Asian cuisine.
They boost the flavour and texture of any meal while having the added benefits of being really good for you.
“Almonds help sustain the energy I need in and out of the pool and I often enjoy a handful on the go as a tasty and healthy snack.
“I’m proud to be an Athlete Ambassador for Australian Almonds and help spread the word about the incredible nutritional benefits of almonds not just for athletes like me, but for anyone who wants to eat well and live a healthy lifestyle.”
Chef Hafizzul praised the quality of Australian almonds, highlighting their versatility and nutritional benefits, making them the perfect ingredient for creating flavourful clean dishes that nourish the body and naturally fit into Southeast Asian cuisine.
“Our Signature Bahulu holds a special place in my heart, and using Australian almond flour elevates this iconic, traditional Southeast Asian dessert to the next level.
“Traditionally, bahulu is made with flour and without oil, and is usually dry on the inside.
The use of Australian almond flour adds a soft, moist texture and a rich, nutty flavour, giving our guests a unique and balanced close to their meal.
“As someone focused on natural cooking, I prefer organic, heirloom, and sustainably sourced ingredients. Australian almonds offer fresh and unique flavours, which is the experience I want my guests to have.”
With Chef Hafizzul incorporating almonds in a range of Southeast Asian dishes, the collaboration highlights the versatility and health benefits of Australian almonds which will support Australian almond growers expanding into global markets.
Australia is the world’s second-largest producer and exporter of almonds, with the industry increasingly focused on expanding into fast growing markets like Southeast Asia to drive demand for premium Australian almonds.
Key Almond Nutrition Facts:
- Almonds are packed with 20g of plant protein for every 100g
- Almonds are rich in heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fats
- A 30g handful of almonds provides over 80% of the recommended daily intake for vitamin E, making them great for skin and heart health
- The fibre content of almonds rival that of broccoli and bananas, with 11g fibre per 100g of almonds, making them great for gut health
- Adding almonds to a meal slows digestion and lowers its overall glycaemic index (GI), making them great at managing blood glucose levels at mealtimes